Army senior leaders on Monday again pushed for a service trained and ready to face an uncertain, volatile world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“There are a lot of things going on around the world today that present very real threats to the security of the United States,” said Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley during a media briefing to reporters <\/span>at the Association of the United States Army annual meeting in Washington, D.C. “As we look to the future, it is incumbent that we maintain our capability and capacity, and for the Army, that means the total Army.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Army Secretary John McHugh, who spoke to reporters alongside Milley, discussed the importance of ready and capable ground forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “If the last 18 to 20 months haven’t proven the necessity of a viable land force, I’m not sure what will,” he said. “All of us recognize the essential nature of a joint force. This has to be a joint force to provide multiple dilemmas to the enemy. We think we’re an essential part of the very human nature of war as an endeavor.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Milley agreed, saying that history has shown that reliance on long-range weapons alone does not win wars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “At the end of the day, the first and opening shots of any conflict are likely fired from the sea or the air, but the final shots are usually delivered on the ground,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n