In November 2024, the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DoD OIG) outlined six critical challenges the DoD will face in 2025. These challenges emphasize the complexities of modern defense strategy and the necessity of reform.
1. Increasing Military Readiness
The DoD must balance persistent issues like recruitment, readiness, aging equipment, healthcare access, and financial constraints, all while preparing for new and emerging threats. Efforts to modernize training, streamline hiring, and improve healthcare access aim to boost readiness and service member quality of life.
2. Strengthening Allied Capabilities
Strengthening allies and partners is essential in countering threats from China and Russia. However, issues like limited oversight, overclassification, and interoperability gaps hinder collaboration. Initiatives like the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the Philippines and Mission Partner Environments are steps forward, but better planning, sustainment, training and streamlined information-sharing frameworks are needed.
3. Protecting Defense Critical Infrastructure
Cyber threats and climate-related risks pose significant challenges to defense infrastructure. Adversaries, particularly China, target defense networks, while extreme weather threatens facilities. Programs like the 2024 DIB Cybersecurity Strategy and climate resilience upgrades are progress points, though gaps remain in assessments and infrastructure updates.
Last year, the U.S. disrupted a botnet, orchestrated by China’s state-sponsored hacking group “Volt Typhoon,” which used compromised routers in the U.S. to mask cyber activities. The botnet, known as the “KV Botnet,” enabled further intrusions targeting U.S. and international critical infrastructure sectors. These attacks aimed to exploit vulnerabilities and conduct espionage against vital systems. The U.S. operation removed malware and implemented safeguards to prevent reinfection, highlighting a coordinated effort to counter malicious cyber activities threatening national security.
4. Improving Financial Management
Financial inefficiencies stemming from outdated IT systems, workforce shortages, and funding uncertainties continue to hinder the DoD. More than $4.2 billion was spent on maintaining aging systems in 2023. Addressing these issues requires modernizing financial systems, closing workforce gaps, and implementing strategic funding and planning mechanisms.
5. Enhancing Military Family Quality of Life
Military families face healthcare access disparities, housing issues, spousal unemployment, and financial instability. Reforms aim to address these concerns by improving oversight, accountability, and support for childcare, schools, and special needs programs.
6. Building the Future Force
To address emerging threats, the DoD must modernize nuclear and digital systems and adopt advanced technologies like AI, quantum computing, and space-based defense. However, inefficient procurement processes, industrial base consolidation, and delays in modernization programs pose significant risks. Strategic reforms are essential for maintaining technological and operational superiority. While the DoD is progressing it’s AI efforts and strategies, more must be done.
Conclusion
The DoD’s ability to adapt to these challenges will shape its capacity to safeguard national security in the face of evolving global threats. Success will depend on robust recruitment, modernization, financial stability, and infrastructure resilience, supported by coordinated reforms, innovative technologies, and strengthened alliances.
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