Home Renovations and National Defense
The Ever-Evolving Work of National Defense
My wife and I bought a house last month.
Now you may be thinking, “what the heck does that have to do with Building our Defense?”
Valid question. And, we’ll get there in just a second.
You see, buying a house is a lot of work and it’s a major investment—in terms of capital and time. For most people, buying a home is the greatest investment they’ll make in their lives.
And did I mention it’s a lot of work? It’s work to even start: looking at houses, setting selection criteria, narrowing down alternatives, dealing with writer’s cramp during closing as you sign the mountains of paperwork, and then you move in to your dream home and discover… that’s there’s even more work to do (or maybe you knew that before closing).
So, as we settle into our new home and tackle the numerous, various renovation projects, I’m reminded of the ongoing nature of work required to ensure that a house is ready for comfortable living. From painting walls to fixing appliances and addressing unexpected surprises, like finding a snake skin in the crawl space, it's a constant effort to make a house feel like a home.
This experience is also making me reflect on the parallel between the maintenance of a home and the continuous work involved in national defense (see, I told you we’d get there).
Just like a home requires ongoing efforts to keep it in good shape, national defense is an ever-evolving process that requires constant attention and investment to ensure the safety and security of a country and its citizens.
Similar to the projects I am undertaking in my new home, national defense doesn’t stop with the acquisition of a new system. Rather, it involves the maintenance of that system, the integration of that system into the system of systems, upgrades and updates and all sorts of patches.
And Building our Defense extends far beyond just material solutions. It involves various aspects such as intelligence gathering, strategic planning, technological advancements, military training, and diplomatic efforts. It requires the collaboration of multiple agencies, departments, and personnel working together towards a common goal - to protect the nation's interests and ensure its security.
Just as my renovation projects seem to be never-ending, the work involved in national defense is also a continuous process. Threats to national security can arise from various sources, including traditional military adversaries, cyber attacks, terrorism, and other non-traditional challenges. These threats are dynamic and constantly evolving, requiring a proactive and adaptive approach to address them effectively.
Investments in defense capabilities, research and development, and advanced technologies are critical to maintaining a strong national defense posture. Just like fixing the dryer vents in my home to prevent potential hazards, addressing vulnerabilities and weaknesses in national defense is an ongoing task to ensure readiness and resilience in the face of changing threats.
Moreover, national defense also requires a commitment to upholding principles of international relations, including diplomacy, alliances, and cooperation with other nations. Building and maintaining strong partnerships with allies and like-minded countries is essential in addressing common security challenges and promoting global stability.
“The only thing worse than fighting with allies is fighting without them.” -W. Churchill
In conclusion, much like the ongoing work needed to maintain and improve a home, national defense is a continuous and dynamic process that requires constant attention, investment, and collaboration. It's a never-ending effort to ensure the safety and security of a nation and its people. In other words, Building our Defense is a process and not an event. As we navigate the complexities of national defense, let us be mindful of the ongoing nature of the task and the need for sustained efforts to safeguard our collective security.
Keep Building,
Andrew