The National Military Strategy (NMS) supports the aims of the National Security Strategy (NSS) and implements the National Defense Strategy (NDS).  It describes the Armed Forces’ plan to achieve military objectives in the near term and provides the vision for ensuring they remain decisive in the future.  It provides strategic direction on how the Joint Force should align the military ends, ways, means, and risks. The NMS is not a required document like the NSS and NDS. [1]

The National Military Strategy is best thought of as the operational version of the National Defense Strategy, outlining how the military will execute the goals laid out in the NDS. Hence, with a new National Defense Strategy must come changes to the National Military Strategy.

Figure: Planning Phase of the PPBE Process

AcqLinks and References:

• 2015 National Military Strategy (NMS)
• 2011 National Military Strategy (NMS)
• 2004 National Military Strategy (NMS)

Updated: 7/13/2017