WASHINGTON — The challenges facing the Army in 2016 are giving Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work déjà vu.

Speaking at the AUSA conference here Tuesday, Work said the Army finds itself in a scenario that is very reminiscent of the 1970s, when the service was forced to innovate with both its tactics and technology.

As Work sees it, the three main challenges facing the Army are nuclear parity with a potential adversary (which undermines the conventional deterrence ability of the Army), new operational doctrines across the globe, and low resources — the same trio that the Army faced in the 1970s.

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"The response bears remembering — we concluded that a smaller ground force, backed by technology and honed by training, could still form the foundation of a credible conventional deterrent," Work told the audience.

Part of that response was the Army trying to "own the night," emphasizing night-vision capabilities. As Work explained it, however, it's not just about the technology.

"Anybody could have bought night vision goggles in 1978. It was the training, techniques and procedures… that allowed [the Army] to own the night," Work said.

Like other top Pentagon officials, Work emphasized that the US is not looking to start a war with Russia. But he acknowledged the reality – that the actions of Moscow over the last two-and-a-half years have put Russia and the US on very different paths.

"We're not planning on fighting a war with Russia, but it would be foolish to not pay attention to their operations, because they are, quite frankly, a pacing competitor who tells us where we need to go" to maintain a military advantage, he said.

And despite the capabilities of Russia, China or other potential adversaries, Work said he was confident that the joint force would find a way to defeat any foe if conflict breaks out.

"Adversaries think they can keep us out. I'm here to tell you they are absolutely wrong," Work said. "We will, quite frankly, pound the snot out of them from range and in the close fight."

About Aaron Mehta

Aaron Mehta was deputy editor and senior Pentagon correspondent for Defense News, covering policy, strategy and acquisition at the highest levels of the Defense Department and its international partners.

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