The Pathway Is Not the Problem
by DAVID KURODA
In my experience, warfighting acquisition does not suffer from a lack of structure but from a mis- placed focus. Rather than concentrate on compliance checklists and rigid procedural rules, the Department of War (DoW) would be better served by prioritizing a deeper and shared understand- ing of mission needs, technical context, and strategic intent. Acquisition pathways should follow the program’s strategy and design—not lead it. While this principle may seemingly be obvious, it may often be lost in the noise of bureaucracy and the pressure of process.
26 DEFENSE ACQUISITION MAGAZINE | MAY – JUNE 2026
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