Why The Pentagon run the best schools and the safest nuclear program
2 days ago
- #Implementation Excellence
- #State Capacity
- #Pentagon
- The Pentagon operates America's highest-performing school system (DoDEA), with students outperforming national averages by significant margins.
- The Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program has maintained a 70-year safety record without a single reactor accident resulting in radiological release.
- The Army Corps of Engineers successfully delivers large-scale infrastructure projects globally, including schools, oil facilities, and water projects in war zones.
- Despite its successes, the Pentagon has failed financial audits seven consecutive times and struggles with cost overruns in programs like the F-35 and Zumwalt-class destroyer.
- The military's implementation excellence is attributed to long-term institutional continuity, comprehensive accountability, and integrated design-implementation processes.
- Historical examples like the Bureau of the Budget's work simplification programs and Snyder's IRS transformation show civilian government once had similar implementation capacity.
- The article suggests three paths forward: studying and adapting military practices, cautious expansion of military-like civilian agencies, and building civilian capacity through training and long-term leadership.