The Institute of Land Warfare (ILW) extends the influence of AUSA by informing and educating its members; local, regional and national leaders; and the American public, on the critical nature of land forces and the importance of the United States Army. ILW carries out a broad program of activities including the publication of professional research papers, newsletters, background briefs, essays and special reports.

Here are some of the recent topics addressed by ILW:

 

"Advance Payments to Small Defense Contractors" (Defense Report 09-6, December 2009)  Briefly examines the current system for granting contracts to both large and small businesses and discusses how to improve the system by allowing small businesses to receive advance payments to better compete with large companies for contracts. The Army is expected to add 1,400 personnel to its contracting workforce within the next three to five years, but the market remains restricted to large business contractors that have upfront financial support. Thus, small businesses are inherently disadvantaged in their ability to support government contracts. To remedy the situation and ensure that Soldiers are receiving the best products and services from contractors, the Defense Department is supporting measures to authorize advance payments to small businesses for initial costs, allowing them to compete with large companies. "The Evolution of the U.S.-Japan Alliance" (National Security Watch 09-4, 29 December 2009)  Examines the history of the United States' relationship with Japan since World War II, and how the recent election in Japan and subsequent upheaval of the once-dominant Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has affected the future of this alliance. American forces have maintained a presence in Japan since their occupation following the war, providing security to Japan because its constitution prohibits the maintenance of military forces. As time and distance dim memories of the militaristic Japan of the 1930s and 40s, opposition has risen to the presence of foreign troops on Japanese soil, as have arguments for a more independent, assertive Japanese foreign and defense policy. Overall, the close relationship between Japan and the United States is strong and beneficial to both nations, but U.S. policymakers should work with the Japanese to ensure that the relationship remains fundamentally sound as it adapts to the new Japanese outlook. "A 21st Century Campus for Battle Command Training" (Torchbearer Issue Paper, December 2009)  Describes the Battle Command Training Center (BCTC) at Fort Lewis, Wash., as an example of how to enhance home station unit training and leader development. BCTCs teach and train the skills necessary for successful battle command and help foster the knowledge and attributes needed for effective leadership. Fort Lewis has a unique combination of programs--the BCTC, the Army Center for Enhanced Performance, the Stryker Brigade Combat Team Warfighters' Forum and the Asymmetric Warfare/Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Team--that operates at the cutting edge of new, ground-breaking technologies and methodologies across the range of live, virtual, constructive and gaming environments. The innovative capabilities they offer, and the synergy they produce, offer powerful training enablers, applicable to operations all along the specturm of conflict. .   "AUSA + 1st Session, 111th Congress = More Work Ahead" (Special Report, December 2009) Briefly describes the major objectives AUSA wanted to achieve in the first session of Congress and what actions were taken for each. In this session, the 111th Congress recognized the demands on Soldiers and their families and worked to restore the readiness of ground forces, which have been strained by extended deployments worldwide, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan. Yet challenges remain to meet demands for ground forces and to sustain Soldiers, families and Army civilians as well as to retain hard-earned veteran and retiree benefits. The best efforts of all AUSA members will be required to guarantee funding of initiatives to ensure Soldiers' and their families' quality of life is equal to the services they provide.     "Churchill and Obama: Leveraging Strategic Communication to Accomplish Grand Strategy" by MAJ Bryan N. Groves (Lanpower Essay No. 09-4, November 2009) Discusses British Prime Minister Winston Churchill's use of strategic communications as a leadership tool to rally his constituency, articulate values and build strong partnerships during World War II. Barack Obama is following Churchill's lead in these areas, using communications not only to win the presidential election but also to strengthen U.S. ties with its foreign allies and accomplish domestic goals. Despite critics who would dismiss Obama's strategic communication as "all talk" and call for substance to follow speech, Churchill's leadership of Britain during World War II serves as an important reminder of the impact a gifted orator can have on world events.