Report on Senior Military Nominations and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

This report details a series of presidential nominations for senior military leadership positions. The appointments are analyzed through the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a particular focus on their contribution to peace, institutional strength, equality, and innovation.

Strengthening Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16)

The following nominations are fundamental to reinforcing national and global security, which is the bedrock of SDG 16. By ensuring effective leadership within key defense institutions, these appointments promote stability and the rule of law.

United States Air Force

• Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere: Nominated for reappointment to general and assignment as Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force. This role is central to the institutional governance and operational effectiveness of the Air Force, directly supporting SDG 16.
• Lt. Gen. Stephen L. Davis: Nominated for appointment to general and command of Air Force Global Strike Command. His leadership will be crucial for strategic deterrence, a key component of maintaining global peace.
• Lt. Gen. Andrew J. Gebara: Nominated for reappointment to lieutenant general and assignment as Director of Staff, U.S. Air Force. This position ensures the cohesive functioning of Air Force headquarters, strengthening it as a robust institution.
• Brig. Gen. Max E. Pearson: Nominated for appointment to lieutenant general and assignment as Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence. Effective intelligence is vital for preempting conflicts and ensuring national security, aligning with the peace and justice aims of SDG 16.

United States Army

• Lt. Gen. David M. Hodne: Nominated for appointment to general and command of U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command. This role ensures the Army remains a modern, effective force capable of securing peace.
• Maj. Gen. Mark S. Bennett: Nominated for appointment to lieutenant general and assignment as Military Deputy for Budget. Responsible financial stewardship strengthens the institution’s accountability and long-term stability.
• Maj. Gen. Marcus S. Evans: Nominated for appointment to lieutenant general and assignment as Director of the Army Staff. This leadership role is critical for the Army’s institutional integrity and operational command structure.
• Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Jarrard: Nominated for appointment to lieutenant general and assignment as Deputy Commander, U.S. Northern Command. This command’s mission of homeland defense directly contributes to the safety and security of communities, a core tenet of SDG 16.
• Maj. Gen. Kevin C. Leahy: Nominated for appointment to lieutenant general and command of U.S. Army Central Command. Leadership in this role is vital for regional stability and fostering partnerships for peace.

United States Marine Corps

• Lt. Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte: Nominated for reappointment to lieutenant general and assignment as Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy. His leadership will shape future officers committed to upholding peace and justice.
• Maj. Gen. Christian F. Wortman: Nominated for appointment to lieutenant general and command of I Marine Expeditionary Force. This command is a key element in providing security and stability in the Pacific region.

United States Navy

• Vice Adm. Yvette M. Davids: Nominated for reappointment to vice admiral and assignment as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans, Strategy, and Warfighting Development. This strategic role is essential for planning and executing missions that maintain maritime security and global peace.
• Rear Adm. Jeffrey J. Czerewko: Nominated for appointment to vice admiral and assignment as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Personnel, Manpower, and Training. This contributes to SDG 16 by building a just, inclusive, and effective naval force.
• Rear Adm. John E. Dougherty IV: Nominated for appointment to vice admiral and command of Naval Air Systems Command. This role ensures the technological superiority necessary for credible deterrence and defense.
• Rear Adm. (lower half) Michael S. Sciretta: Nominated for appointment to rear admiral. His continued service in maritime operations supports the maintenance of secure and open sea lanes, vital for global commerce and peace.

United States Space Force

• Lt. Gen. Shawn N. Bratton: Nominated for appointment to general and assignment as Vice Chief of Space Operations, U.S. Space Force. Leadership in this domain is critical for ensuring the peaceful use of space and protecting vital infrastructure, contributing to a new frontier of institutional stability under SDG 16.

Contributions to Broader Sustainable Development Goals

Beyond SDG 16, these nominations also advance other critical development goals related to equality, innovation, and global cooperation.

Advancing Gender Equality (SDG 5)

The nomination of Vice Adm. Yvette M. Davids to a senior strategic position as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations is a significant step in promoting gender equality. Her appointment to one of the Navy’s highest leadership roles exemplifies progress toward SDG 5 by ensuring women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making.

Fostering Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9)

Several appointments are directly linked to fostering innovation and building resilient infrastructure, a core target of SDG 9.

1. Lt. Gen. David M. Hodne (U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command): Will lead efforts to modernize the Army, driving innovation in military technology and strategy.
2. Rear Adm. John E. Dougherty IV (Naval Air Systems Command): Will oversee the development and acquisition of advanced naval aviation technology, contributing to industrial and technological innovation.
3. Lt. Gen. Shawn N. Bratton (U.S. Space Force): Will guide the development of space capabilities, a critical infrastructure for global communication, navigation, and security.

Enhancing Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

Leadership in multinational and regionally-focused commands is essential for strengthening the global partnership for sustainable development, as outlined in SDG 17.

• Maj. Gen. Kevin C. Leahy (U.S. Army Central Command): His command involves extensive cooperation with partner nations to promote regional stability.
• Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Jarrard (U.S. Northern Command/NORAD): This role is defined by the U.S.-Canada partnership, a model of bilateral cooperation for mutual security.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article, which details nominations for senior positions within the U.S. military, is connected to the following Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 5: Gender Equality – The article mentions the nomination of a woman, Navy Vice Adm. Yvette M. Davids, to a high-ranking position. This relates to achieving gender equality and empowering women in leadership roles within public institutions.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – The article describes the formal process of appointments within the armed forces, a critical state institution. This process is fundamental to developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels, which is a core objective of SDG 16.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – By showcasing promotions that appear to be based on merit and include women in top leadership, the article touches upon the principle of ensuring equal opportunity, which is central to reducing inequalities within and among countries.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the content of the article, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 5.5: “Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.”
   • Explanation: The nomination of Navy Vice Adm. Yvette M. Davids for the position of Deputy Chief of Naval Operations is a direct example of a woman being considered for a senior leadership and decision-making role in public life (specifically, the military).
2. Target 16.6: “Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.”
   • Explanation: The public announcement of nominations by the Secretary of Defense is an act of transparency. This formal and open process for leadership succession contributes to the effective and accountable functioning of the military as a state institution.
3. Target 16.7: “Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.”
   • Explanation: The inclusion of a female admiral in the list of nominees for top-tier assignments points toward a more representative and inclusive leadership structure within the armed forces.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article provides information that can serve as implied indicators for measuring progress towards the identified targets:

• For Target 5.5: An implied indicator is the “Proportion of women in senior leadership positions in public institutions.”
  • Explanation: The article provides a specific data point for this indicator by naming Navy Vice Adm. Yvette M. Davids as a nominee for a high-level post, allowing for a count of women at this rank.
• For Target 16.7: An implied indicator is the “Proportion of positions in public service (by sex) compared to national distributions.”
  • Explanation: While the article does not provide a full dataset, it offers evidence of women’s representation in the highest echelons of the military. The list of 17 nominees includes one woman, which serves as a qualitative and quantitative data point for this indicator.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: defense.gov