In April 1994, the Army War College's Strategic Studies Institute hosted its Fifth Annual Strategy Conference. The theme was "The Revolution in Military Affairs: Defining an Army for the 21st Century." After fourteen of the nation's leading defense scholars presented papers on the role of technology in warfare, Dr. Paul Bracken and Colonel Raoul Alcala concluded the conference by offering their views of the Army's future. Professor Bracken contends that the Army of the 21st century will be shaped by domestic concerns as much as by external threats to American security. While economic power has increased in importance in international relations, military power as traditionally conceived remains a dominant factor in determining the status of nations. Colonel Alcala holds that there is a connection between ideas and principles. He argues that doctrines will provide the basis for force structure, training, and weapons acquisition. Colonel Alcala maintains that the Army's ability to stay intellectually ahead of the technology will be, perhaps, its greatest challenge in the next century.

"July 22, 1994"--T.p. "This monograph was prepared for the U.S. Army War College Fifth Annual Conference on Strategy, 'The Revolution in Military Affairs: Defining an Army for the 21st Century', April 1994, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania"--P. [2] of cover.

Future directions for the army / Paul Bracken -- Cycles -- Synopsis and Conclusions / Guiding principles for revolution, evolution, and continuity in military affairs / Raoul Henri Alcala -- Introduction -- Contemporary projections of alternative futures -- Should threats or capabilities guide force development? -- Fielding future forces -- Assessing the future -- Unique service environments -- Air combat environment -- Land combat environment -- Sea combat environment -- The "bureau" environment -- Basic implications of unique service environments -- Assessment of major defense areas -- Service and joint doctrine -- Service and joint futures concepts -- Service and joint force development processes -- Service and joint training and leader development -- Service, joint, and OSD programming and budgeting -- Concluding observations.