quences4--which is by far the most exhaustive
force structure to perform its assigned
study of readiness concepts--readiness is
missions promptly. Readiness is con-
often used in two senses. One sense is proba-
cerned with such issues as the ability of a
bly too broad and one is perhaps too narrow.
tactical air squadron to deliver bombs to
In the broad sense, it is used as a synonym for
a target or to engage in anti-aircraft war-
military capabilities as a whole. However, the
fare, or the ability of a destroyer to con-
Pentagon considers readiness only one of
duct anti-submarine warfare.8
four elements or pillars on which military
capability rests:
There is really nothing new about readi-
ness. Sun Tzu (400320 B.C.), in his classic
· Force Structure: The number, size, and
The Art of War, wrote, "It is a doctrine of war
not to assume the enemy will not come, but
composition of military units.
· Modernization: The technical sophisti-
rather to rely on one's readiness to meet him;
not to presume that he will not attack, but
cation of the forces, weapon systems,
rather to make one's self invincible." That is a
and equipment.
· Sustainability: The "staying power" of
broad definition of readiness. Napoleon in
his Maxims of War expressed a narrower con-
the forces measured in days.
The proposal by
· Readiness: The immediate ability to exe-
cept: "An army should be ready, every day,
Sen. John McCain
every night, and at all times of the day and
cute a designated combat mission.5
night, to give all resistance of which it is capa-
(R -Ariz.) for tiered
ble." Perhaps the most famous narrow defin-
While there is an obvious relationship among
readiness advocat-
ition is the homey (but usually misquoted)
those elements, they are nevertheless sepa-
ed making some
wisdom of Confederate general Nathan
rate. For example, a single ship might be able
Forrest to "git thar fustest with the mostest."9
to respond to a crisis but have limited capa-
forces more ready
bilities to achieve sustained success.
Readiness also plays a large part in the par-
than others or
Readiness has been defined in several
lance of two U.S. military organizations. The
placing more
ways. Some definitions, as Betts pointed out,
Marines use the slogan "First to Fight,"
are fairly broad and synonymous with overall
which was first popularized in World War I.
forces in the
military capabilities--for example, the "bal-
The official motto of the U.S. Coast Guard is
reserves.
ancing of manpower, investment, and opera-
Semper Paratus (always ready).
tions and maintenance expenditures that
Although most definitions are fairly sim-
produce the force structure capability of
ple and narrow, Betts raises three other ques-
rapid, sustained and ultimate full response."6
tions that are important when considering
readiness: Readiness for when? Readiness for
However, most definitions are more narrow,
what?10 Readiness of what? During the Cold
focusing on the ability to respond quickly.
Some examples follow.
War, with the superpower Soviet Union next
door in Europe, the answers to those ques-
· The ability of forces, units, weapon sys-
tions were not that important. But in the
more confused world of the early 21st centu-
tems, or equipment to deliver the out-
ry, the answers deserve more study because of
puts for which they are designed . . .
their implications for tiered readiness.
[and] to deploy and employ without
In sum, although there are broad defini-
unacceptable delays.
· The capacity to perform missions when
tions that almost equate readiness with total
military capabilities, use of the term "readi-
directed to do so. 7
· A force's ability to fight with little or no
ness" is best restricted to the capability to
respond quickly with the appropriate force
warning.
· The fraction of a force that can be com-
with little or no warning.
mitted to a fight without unacceptable
Measurements
delays and acquit itself well.
· The ability of the currently configured
Although the definitions of readiness are
3