Brown: Build the Force by Being Seen, Defense.gov

Brown: Build the Force by Being Seen

By Jim Garamone

ARLINGTON, Va.

James Brown, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for readiness and force management, said he wants to make recruiters more visible to encourage young Americans to serve.

Speaking virtually to the Air Force Association’s Air Warfare Symposium held in Orlando, Florida, Brown said that research shows young people are more likely to serve if they have been in contact with a recruiter.

“Building the force is about being seen,” he said.

Brown said he wants recruiters at concerts, high school football games and other community events, adding that they can strike up conversations and get young people interested in serving in a one-minute pitch.

“A ‘minute to win it’ approach,” he said.

Brown said he wants recruiters to embed themselves with youth-serving organizations such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and religious youth programs.

“We need to become a visible part of the fabric of the communities, both online and in person,” he said.

Brown said recruiters should also take advantage of digital and social media platforms to promote the benefits of military service.

“We need to be where the young people are at,” he said.

Brown said the Department of Defense is working to reduce the barriers to military service for young people, such as helping them pay off student debt and providing them with job training.

“We need to make it easier for young people to serve,” he said.

Brown said the department is also working to improve the quality of life for service members and their families.

“We need to create a force that is ready and resilient, and that includes taking care of our people,” he said.

Brown said the department is committed to building a force that is diverse and inclusive.

“We need a force that reflects the American people,” he said.

Brown said the department is working to increase the number of women and minorities in the military.

“We need to create a force that is welcoming and inclusive of all,” he said.

Brown said the department is also working to improve the quality of education for service members.

“We need to provide our service members with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed,” he said.

Brown said the department is committed to building a force that is ready and capable of defending the nation.

“We need a force that is trained and equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century,” he said.

Brown said the department is working to improve the readiness of the force.

“We need a force that is ready to fight tonight,” he said.

Brown said the department is also working to improve the capability of the force.

“We need a force that is equipped with the latest technologies and capabilities,” he said.

Brown said the department is committed to building a force that is lethal and agile.

“We need a force that can deter our adversaries and, if necessary, defeat them,” he said.

Brown said the department is also working to improve the interoperability of the force.

“We need a force that can work seamlessly with our allies and partners,” he said.

Brown said the department is committed to building a force that is innovative and adaptive.

“We need a force that can stay ahead of the curve and meet the challenges of the future,” he said.

Brown said the department is also working to improve the sustainability of the force.

“We need a force that is environmentally sustainable and that can operate in a complex and challenging world,” he said.