In today's rapidly changing world there is considerable debate and discussion regarding the challenges our warfighters currently face and will encounter in the future during the expected long war against terrorism. This is particularly true concerning the ground combat elements engaged in 21st Century warfare. Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen, and Coast Guard personnel are now expected to survive, excel and indeed thrive in what former Marine Corps Commandant General Charles Krulak called "The Three Block War" environment.
Today's largely urban, dangerous, fast-paced, full-spectrum, complex battle space imposes stresses and demands far beyond those experienced by previous warfighters in more linear battle spaces. Under such conditions, developing and preparing individuals and small units will likely require more concerted efforts and investments in human and social science and technology research. In the words of retired Army Major General Bob Scales, "World War IV can only be won by harnessing the social and human sciences as the essential amplifiers of military performance, just as the physical sciences were the amplifiers of past world wars."
The Department of the Navy (DON) seeks to take a leading role in addressing these challenges by engaging in a strategically-oriented assessment to define the magnitude and nature of new warfighting and research issues facing us all.
This brief provides a comprehensive summary of the three Human Sciences Research gatherings described below and throughout this Website.
To build upon the momentum of the Colloquium, a June 13th Conference provided Defense manpower-personnel, training, and education leadership an opportunity to hear from top human sciences experts regarding advances in Human Sciences Research and Applications to Warrior Development.
Learn more about the "Human Sciences Research: New Approaches to Warrior Development" Conference, June 13, 2007To provide information regarding current Human Sciences Research efforts and initiate discussion between researchers and policy makers, the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower & Reserve Affairs) (ASN (M&RA)) and the National Defense University convened a Colloquium on March 21, 2007.
Learn more about the "Human Sciences Research: Harnessing Talent for Complex Environments" Colloquium, March 21, 2007The ASN (M&RA) quest for engaging the HSR community brought together a number of critical thinkers, both military and social scientists, for a seminar/workshop in October 2006 at the Center for Naval Analyses.
Learn more about the "Human Sciences Research and the 21st Century Warfighter Seminar," 20 October 2006Human Sciences Research efforts reflect the central concepts outlined in the Department of the Navy Human Capital Strategy.
Read the Department of the Navy Human Capital Strategy