2014 Quadrennial Defense Review: Department of Defense Budget Priorities Under Sequestration Cuts, Defense Strategy, Rebalancing the Joint Force

The 2014 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) seeks to adapt, reshape, and rebalance our military to prepare for the strategic challenges and opportunities we face in the years ahead. Building on the 2012 Defense Strategic Guidance, the QDR prioritizes three strategic pillars: defending the homeland; building security globally by projecting U.S. influence and deterring aggression; and remaining prepared to win decisively against any adversary should deterrence fail. Guided by this updated defense strategy, we will rebalance the military over the next decade and put it on a sustainable path to protect and advance U.S. interests and sustain U.S. global leadership. The QDR describes the tough choices we are making in a period of Fiscal austerity to maintain the world's finest fighting forces. These include reducing force structure in order to protect and expand critical capabilities, modernizing the forces, and investing in readiness. Although the future force will be smaller, it will be ready, capable, and able to project power over great distances. Investment decisions will ensure that we maintain our technological edge over potential adversaries, and that we advance U.S. interests across all domains. Staying ahead of security challenges requires that we continue to innovate, not only in the technologies we develop, but in the way U.S. forces operate. Innovation - within the Department and working with other U.S. departments and agencies and with international partners - will be center stage as we adapt to meet future challenges. To ensure U.S. Armed Forces remain ready and capable requires that we make much-needed reforms across the defense enterprise. We will prioritize combat power by reducing unnecessary overhead and streamlining activities. In addition, military and civilian leaders across the Department agree that we must reform military compensation in a responsible way that protects the ability to modernize the force over the long-term. The All-Volunteer Force is one of the greatest strengths of the United States, and we owe it to future Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines to ensure that they are prepared for tomorrow's threats.

CHAPTER 1: FUTURE SECURITY ENVIRONMENT
CHAPTER 2: THE DEFENSE STRATEGY
CHAPTER 3: REBALANCING THE JOINT FORCE
CHAPTER 4: REBALANCING THE DEFENSE INSTITUTION
CHAPTER 5: IMPLICATIONS AND RISKS OF SEQUESTRATION-LEVEL CUTS