Heritage Foundation

A Strategy to Revitalize the Defense Industrial Base for the 21st Century

Date: May 7, 2025

Author(s): Robert Greenway, Jim Fein, Richard Stern, Wilson Beaver, Madison Doan, Rachel Greszler, Jordan Embree, and Robert Peters


Department of Defense

The Department is expanding its approach to workforce optimization. This memo underscores a new layer of focus: ensuring we recognize, retain, and reward the people who are delivering the greatest mission impact.

Date: April 8, 2025

Author(s): Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve Feinberg



Executive Order

The President seeks to modernize defense acquisition and spur innovation in the defense industrial base

Date: April 9, 2025

Author(s): President Donald Trump

Department of Veterans Affairs

Budget Profile, Statistics, and Considerations for Reform

Date: May 23, 2018

Author(s): Arnold Punaro


Senate Armed Services Committee

Statement for the Record: The Urgent Need to Reform and Reduce the DOD’s Overhead and Infrastructure

Date: November 17, 2015

Author(s): Arnold Punaro


Restoring Freedom’s Forge

We have a generational opportunity to transform the Pentagon for the 21st century. This report outlines steps Congress should take to support the president in freeing our defense enterprise and allowing the United States to outpace and out-innovate our adversaries once again

Date: December 19, 2024

Author(s): Senator Roger Wicker


The Atlantic Council

The draft ended fifty years ago. Can the all-volunteer force survive another fifty?

Date: September 11, 2023

Author(s): James L. Jones, Jr. and Arnold Punaro


DOGE for Defense:

The US military’s inability to address critical modernization and force-planning challenges has left it in decline relative to its competitors, shifting the global military balance against the United States.

Date: January 22, 2025

Author(s): Mackenzie Eaglen


Ticking Time Bombs of the Ever Shrinking Fighting Force

Adapted from remarks made by Maj. Gen. Punaro at the launch of his second book, The Ever-Shrinking Fighting Force

Date: January 22, 2025

Author(s): Arnold Punaro