TRADOC Pam 525-3-7-01 - TRADOC - U.S. Army

TRADOC Pam 525-3-7-01consensus holds that the U.S. is losing ground among other industrialized nations with regard tothe overall educational standard of the population.The Economy and EnergyThough the U.S. economy is losing its relative dominance as a global power, it remains theworld’s largest and most productive economy. 50 Yet even as changing demographics increase thedemand for employment, education, medical services, and other services, other global trendsserve to stifle continued growth.The economic aspects of globalization have contributed toward a dramatic shift from anindustrial age manufacturing domestic economy to an information age service-based economytrading in processes and knowledge. While competing with global competitors for skilledscience, technology, and engineering professionals, the U.S. finds itself with a surplus of skilledand unskilled labor. High-paying manufacturing jobs, such as those in the auto industry, aredisappearing at an alarming rate while a demand for low-paying jobs, such as those in agricultureand construction, grows. This contributes to a growing income gap.The rapid increase in the cost of energy has put a damper on economic growth. The risingcost of oil and natural gas affects virtually every aspect of our society and individual lives. As anincreasing share of the budget, both public and private, goes toward energy needs, the portionavailable for other required services can shrink. Efforts to increase supply clash withenvironmental concerns of air pollution, greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide emissions, loss ofnatural habitats and forests, vegetation, wildlife protection, conservation of resources, and others.Efforts to decrease demand enjoy some local limited success, but have minimal impact on themacro perspective of energy supply and demand. Energy costs will continue to consume agrowing share of our national economy.Climate ChangeWhile the debate concerning the cause of global warming continues, its existence is beyonddebate. Climate change appears to contribute to the frequency and intensity of extreme weatherand natural disasters. Whether climate change is directly responsible for such storms asHurricane Katrina or not, we must acknowledge the reality of rising temperatures and changingclimatic conditions in the U.S. and be prepared to respond to large-scale humanitarian issues,from drought to flood to environmental health crises.InformationThe U.S. has benefited significantly from the proliferation of information technologies andtheir use in global commerce. However, universal access to information technologies hasstimulated economic competition. The internet enables outsourcing of support and services andlevels the playing field in the international marketplace. The U.S. technological edge is erodingas China, India, and others exploit their cheap labor to gain a competitive advantage over U.S.technology industries and related services.42