Nuclear Deterrence Expertise in Military Education Lacking Key Definition

Strategic Insights -

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) provides professional education courses to build nuclear deterrence expertise among military officers. However, the DOD has not clearly defined the term "nuclear deterrence" in the guidance for these courses, making it challenging for instructors to develop curriculum and improve officers' understanding of nuclear deterrence concepts and missions. This oversight has been identified by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which has made recommendations to address this issue and enhance military education.

Key Takeaways:

  • 23 Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) programs surveyed by GAO reported including varying degrees of nuclear deterrence content in their intermediate- and senior-level curricula.
  • The Department of Defense (DOD) has not explicitly defined nuclear deterrence in the guidance for JPME programs, making it challenging for instructors to develop curriculum and improve officers' understanding of nuclear deterrence concepts.
  • JPME programs have begun developing learning outcomes and objectives that include a focus on nuclear topics, such as nuclear deterrence, but the time frame for implementation of the DOD's outcomes-based military education system is unclear.
  • The military services have varying understandings of the required time frame for implementation, ranging from 2027 to 2029.
  • A specific time frame for full implementation of the outcomes-based military education system could help DOD implement the effort and meet the educational needs of the joint force for contemporary nuclear deterrence.
  • The 2022 Nuclear Posture Review emphasizes the importance of supporting the professional development of service members working in and supporting the nuclear field.
  • DOD has recently shifted from a topics-based approach to an outcomes-based approach to monitor and assess student learning for key topics covered in JPME curricula, including nuclear deterrence.

Statistics:

  • 23 Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) programs were surveyed by GAO.
  • 2022 Nuclear Posture Review emphasizes the importance of supporting the professional development of service members working in and supporting the nuclear field.
  • DOD has shifted from a topics-based approach to an outcomes-based approach to monitor and assess student learning for key topics covered in JPME curricula.
  • Military services have varying understandings of the required time frame for implementation, ranging from 2027 to 2029.
  • GAO recommends that DOD provide explicit definitions of nuclear deterrence in guidance for JPME programs.
  • GAO also recommends that DOD provide a specific time frame for full implementation of its outcomes-based military education system.

Sources:

  • Government Accountability Office, "Joint Professional Military Education: DOD Needs to Enhance Implementation of Outcomes-Based Approach" (GAO-22-112344, 2022)
  • 2022 Nuclear Posture Review
  • Senate Armed Services Committee report accompanying a bill for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024