Project 2025 Tracker / What’s done, what’s next

Section 2 · The Common Defense

4 Department of Defense

91–132 · Christopher Miller

  • 10 done
  • 67 partially done
  • 8 attempted
  • 47 not started
  • 5 already true

Major recommendations (14)

What has happened

The Mandate said

“Build a fleet of more than 355 ships.”

What happened

Attempted

Presidential memorandum 'Rebuilding the United States Navy and America's Shipbuilding Industrial Base' directed a 'Finland Model' of foreign-designed ships built in U.S. yards for up to three ship classes, a fifth public shipyard, and a plan to return CVN-81 to steam catapults — measures aimed at capacity, still without a delivered increase in fleet size.

The Mandate said

“Increase the Army force structure by 50,000 to handle two major regional contingencies simultaneously.”

What happened

Attempted

The House adopted the Budget's number. H.R. 8800, the FY2027 NDAA, passed the House 216–212 on 2026-07-22 (Roll no. 278). Sec. 401 authorizes an active Army end strength of 469,000 for 2027-09-30. That is exactly the FY2027 request recorded in the 2026-04-21 event, 15,000 above the 454,000 enacted for FY2026. Passage by one chamber is `attempted`, and the note on the 2025-12-18 event still applies: an authorized end strength is a ceiling on recruiting, not fielded force structure. If enacted at this figure, the cumulative authorized growth inside the window would be 26,700 against the Mandate's 50,000. The Senate received the bill on 2026-09-14 and has not acted.

The Mandate said

“Transform NATO so that U.S. allies are capable of fielding the great majority of the conventional forces required to deter Russia while relying on the United States primarily for our nuclear deterrent, and select other capabilities while reducing the U.S. force posture in Europe.”

What happened

Partially done

Addressing the North Atlantic Council in Brussels, Secretary Hegseth announced a review of the Department's "posture and footprint in Europe" lasting "up to six months", taking input from U.S. and European commands and involving "consultations with the U.S. Congress and with our allies", and "designed to ensure that NATO is moving fast and irreversibly toward Europe leading, stepping up to take primary responsibility for the defense of Europe". He named the object "NATO 3.0" and said U.S. dues would be contingent on allied spending. The review is pending, and the Department is explicit that it "will not remove the U.S. from NATO or its obligations there" but is meant to leave the United States "postured as a partner in Europe's defense, not the leader of Europe's defense" — the Quote's first limb again, with the posture limb deferred to a review. **The Department's own account replaces the NPR/AP report this event previously rested on (playbook §2).**

The Mandate said

“Reverse policies that allow transgender individuals to serve in the military. Gender dysphoria is incompatible with the demands of military service, and the use of public monies for transgender surgeries or to facilitate abortion for servicemembers should be ended.”

What happened

Done

The D.C. Circuit (Wilkins; Rogers concurring in part; Walker dissenting) affirmed the preliminary injunction for the named currently-serving plaintiffs, narrowed it from universal to those plaintiffs under Trump v. CASA, and vacated it as to those seeking to enlist. The panel held its decision pending further review and the ban remains in effect; the Status is unchanged pending Supreme Court action.

The Mandate said

“Build a fleet of more than 355 ships.”

What happened

Attempted

Read in full 2026-09-06 (60 pp.). The plan states on p. 6 that the Department 'currently operates 291 battle force ships, while the Navy requirement by law is 355', and that the shipbuilding budget has doubled in two decades with 'no more ships now than in 2003'. Its own inventory table (A1-5) starts the battle force at 288 in FY2027 and reaches 355 in FY2040 — the text says so in terms: this plan 'will increase the size of the manned battle force to 355 ships by FY40'. It requests 34 manned ships and five unmanned platforms in FY2027 ($65.8 billion) and 122 ships plus 63 unmanned platforms across the FYDP. The plan also changes the *count*: for the first time it reports a 'Total Naval Vessel Force' that adds auxiliaries and covered unmanned vessels to battle force ships (395 in FY2027, 450 by FY2031), and the Navy updated its battle force counting instruction to allow counting robotic and autonomous systems — but the plan says MUSV is not in the battle force yet and the CNO 'will assess recommending inclusion' as capability approaches delivery. A recount is not a build; the ask is leveled on ships.

Still to come

Executive action 40

  1. 113 Adopt a two-war force defense strategy Major Not started
  2. 119 Separate USCYBERCOM from the National Security Agency Major Not started
  3. 101 End the informal congressional "tiered review" of arms sales Notable Not started
  4. 101 Restrict the tiered review process for arms sales to cases of unanimous congressional support Notable Not started
  5. 102 Suspend the MHS Genesis medical records system at MEPS Notable Not started
  6. 104 Restrict military social media use and discipline personnel who engage critics Notable Not started
  7. 107 Return civilian security clearance investigations from DCSA to OPM Notable Not started
  8. 111 Reestablish the Navy General Board with authority over ship requirements Notable Not started
  9. 120 Expand defensive cyber-effects operations under NSPM-13 Notable Not started
  10. 122 Task USSOCOM with countering China's Belt and Road Initiative Notable Not started
  11. 96 Act on the Commission on PPBE Reform's recommendations Minor Not started
  12. 96 Require OSD to report on adversaries' acquisition processes Minor Not started
  13. 99 Cut DOD critical technology areas from 14 to a smaller number Minor Not started
  14. 102 Appoint a Special Assistant to the President for recruiting and retention Minor Not started
  15. 103 Give military recruiters time at congressional townhalls Minor Not started

and 25 more →

Needs Congress 7

  1. 113 Eliminate Air Force pass-through funding Major Not started
  2. 125 Restore nuclear weapons test readiness at the Nevada National Security Site Major Not started
  3. 102 Require the ASVAB for all students in federally funded schools Notable Not started
  4. 114 Increase F-35A procurement to 60–80 aircraft per year Notable Not started
  5. 103 Codify that senior officers' primary duty is readiness, not social engineering Minor Not started
  6. 108 Increase funding for Army training and operational readiness Minor Not started
  7. 119 Explore creation of a Space Force Academy Minor Not started

All recommendations in this chapter

Every recommendation this chapter is the home of, in printed-page order.

  1. 94 Focus all U.S. defense efforts on denying China a fait accompli against Taiwan Partially done
  2. 94 Prioritize the force planning construct to defeat a Chinese invasion of Taiwan Partially done
  3. 94 Make burden-sharing a central part of U.S. defense strategy Done
  4. 94 Transform NATO and reduce the U.S. force posture in Europe Partially done
  5. 94 Sustain support for Israel while empowering Gulf partners to defend themselves Partially done
  6. 94 Enable South Korea to lead its conventional defense against North Korea Attempted
  7. 94 Support greater Taiwan/allied defense spending to create a collective Asia-Pacific defense model Partially done
  8. 95 Expand and modernize the U.S. nuclear force to deter Russia and China simultaneously Needs Congress Partially done
  9. 95 Develop new theater-level nuclear capabilities against nuclear coercion Needs Congress Partially done
  10. 95 Shift funding to DOD mission-focused innovation organizations Partially done
  11. 96 Act on the Commission on PPBE Reform's recommendations Not started
  12. 96 Create funding outside the PPBE process and a "fast track" for emerging technologies Needs Congress Partially done
  13. 96 Require "Night Court" reviews to terminate outdated or underperforming programs Partially done
  14. 96 Require OSD to report on adversaries' acquisition processes Not started
  15. 96 Replenish U.S. munitions stockpiles depleted by support to Ukraine Needs Congress Partially done
  16. 96 Develop with industry a prioritized list of defense acquisition reforms Needs Congress Partially done
  17. 97 Strengthen multiyear procurement and block buy authorities Needs Congress Partially done
  18. 97 Close Build America, Buy America loopholes for defense manufacturing Partially done
  19. 97 Review and reprioritize sectors targeted for onshoring or friendshoring Partially done
  20. 98 Assess DOD acquisition workforces and develop implementation plans Partially done
  21. 98 Decentralize Defense Acquisition University and let it accredit non-DOD institutions Attempted
  22. 99 Cut DOD critical technology areas from 14 to a smaller number Not started
  23. 99 Rebuild Cold War-era RDT&E infrastructure Needs Congress Partially done
  24. 100 Establish a near-, mid-, and long-term technology pipeline aimed at China Partially done
  25. 101 Emphasize exportability in the initial development of U.S. defense systems Partially done
  26. 101 Create a funding mechanism to incentivize exportability in initial planning Needs Congress Partially done
  27. 101 End the informal congressional "tiered review" of arms sales Not started
  28. 101 Decrease ITAR restrictions to ease trade with the UK, Canada, and Australia Partially done
  29. 101 Restrict the tiered review process for arms sales to cases of unanimous congressional support Not started
  30. 102 Fund more contracting capacity in all services to speed foreign military sales Needs Congress Partially done
  31. 102 Appoint a Special Assistant to the President for recruiting and retention Not started
  32. 102 Suspend the MHS Genesis medical records system at MEPS Not started
  33. 102 Require the ASVAB for all students in federally funded schools Needs Congress Not started
  34. 103 Give military recruiters time at congressional townhalls Not started
  35. 103 Increase the number of Junior ROTC programs in secondary schools Needs Congress Partially done
  36. 103 Expel servicemembers with gender dysphoria and end medical accession exceptions Partially done
  37. 103 Base physical fitness requirements on occupational field, not gender or race Partially done
  38. 103 Strengthen protections for military chaplains Attempted
  39. 103 Codify that senior officers' primary duty is readiness, not social engineering Needs Congress Not started
  40. 103 Reinstate servicemembers discharged over the COVID vaccine with rank and back pay Partially done
  41. 103 Abolish DOD diversity, equity, and inclusion offices and staff Done
  42. 104 Restrict military social media use and discipline personnel who engage critics Not started
  43. 104 Audit military academy curricula and eliminate tenure for academic professionals Partially done
  44. 104 Reverse policies allowing transgender individuals to serve in the military Done
  45. 104 Support legislation raising wages and family allowances for enlisted personnel Needs Congress Partially done
  46. 104 Reform military spouse licensing and expand childcare Attempted
  47. 104 Audit DOD school curricula and health policies and remove inappropriate materials Partially done
  48. 104 Create education savings accounts for military families Needs Congress Attempted
  49. 104 Reduce the number of general officers and limit their advancement Attempted
  50. 105 Have the USD(I&S) issue dissenting top-line views of intelligence assessments Not started
  51. 105 Establish a global federated intelligence framework with allies and Combatant Commands Not started
  52. 106 Reevaluate the NSA–USCYBERCOM dual-hat structure Not started
  53. 106 End duplicative purchases of publicly available information data Not started
  54. 106 Resurrect defense intelligence economic analysis capability Not started
  55. 106 Rebuild HUMINT and counterintelligence capabilities Not started
  56. 107 Return civilian security clearance investigations from DCSA to OPM Not started
  57. 108 Increase the Army budget Needs Congress Partially done
  58. 108 Accelerate the six Army modernization priorities Needs Congress Partially done
  59. 108 Increase funding for Army training and operational readiness Needs Congress Not started
  60. 108 Increase Army force structure by 50,000 soldiers Needs Congress Attempted
  61. 109 Increase production and stockpiling of critical munitions and repair parts Needs Congress Partially done
  62. 109 Stop using the Army as a test bed for social evolution Done
  63. 110 Transform National Guard employment to end back-to-back deployments Not started
  64. 110 Revamp Army school curricula around large-scale land operations Not started
  65. 111 Build a Navy fleet of more than 355 ships Needs Congress Attempted
  66. 111 Develop and field unmanned systems to augment manned naval forces Partially done
  67. 111 Make range and lethality the key factors in all Navy procurement decisions Not started
  68. 111 Reestablish the Navy General Board with authority over ship requirements Not started
  69. 111 Establish a Navy Rapid Capabilities Office Partially done
  70. 112 Produce key naval munitions at the maximum rate Needs Congress Partially done
  71. 112 Elevate the OPNAV Warfighter Development staff (N7) Not started
  72. 112 Require war games as a prerequisite for Navy career milestones Not started
  73. 113 Adopt a two-war force defense strategy Not started
  74. 113 Eliminate Air Force pass-through funding Needs Congress Not started
  75. 114 Increase the Air Force budget by 5 percent annually above inflation Needs Congress Partially done
  76. 114 Increase F-35A procurement to 60–80 aircraft per year Needs Congress Not started
  77. 114 Build a B-21 production rate of 15–18 aircraft per year Needs Congress Partially done
  78. 114 Increase Air Force airlift and aerial refueling capacity Needs Congress Partially done
  79. 114 Develop and buy advanced mid-range weapons for stealth aircraft Needs Congress Partially done
  80. 114 Accelerate the Sentinel ICBM to replace the aging Minuteman III Needs Congress Partially done
  81. 114 Double EC-37B electronic warfare aircraft from 10 to 20 Needs Congress Partially done
  82. 114 Field an advanced battle management system for Joint All Domain Command and Control Partially done
  83. 114 Produce the next-generation air dominance system of systems Needs Congress Partially done
  84. 115 Establish a funded electromagnetic spectrum operations recovery plan Partially done
  85. 116 Eliminate all USMC law enforcement battalions Not started
  86. 116 Convert a Marine Infantry Regiment into a Marine Littoral Regiment Not started
  87. 116 Reduce the size of remaining Marine infantry battalions Not started
  88. 116 Maintain USMC divestment of M1 Abrams tanks Done
  89. 116 Eliminate most USMC tube artillery (M777) batteries Not started
  90. 116 Reduce Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicles and their replacements Not started
  91. 116 Increase USMC HIMARS rocket artillery batteries Needs Congress Partially done
  92. 116 Increase upgraded Light Armored Vehicle companies Not started
  93. 116 Increase USMC unmanned aerial and counter-UAS systems Partially done
  94. 116 Develop long-range strike and anti-ship missiles for the Marine Corps Partially done
  95. 116 Align USMC combat arms rank structure with the Army's Not started
  96. 117 Develop and produce light amphibious warships Needs Congress Partially done
  97. 117 Maintain 28 to 31 larger amphibious warships Needs Congress Done
  98. 118 Reestablish offensive space deterrence capabilities Partially done
  99. 118 Rapidly expand space control capability including cis-lunar space Partially done
  100. 118 Limit space arms control deals and bar unilateral implementation Not started
  101. 118 Declassify information about threats to the U.S. space constellation Partially done
  102. 118 Restructure the Space Force from "unity of effort" to "unity of command" Not started
  103. 118 Issue a declaratory policy that the U.S. will operate at will in space Partially done
  104. 118 End the study phase and issue guidance to field offensive space capabilities Partially done
  105. 119 Replace the Space Development Agency's "fail-early" approach Not started
  106. 119 Increase the number of Space Force general officer positions Needs Congress Done
  107. 119 Explore creation of a Space Force Academy Needs Congress Not started
  108. 119 Separate USCYBERCOM from the National Security Agency Not started
  109. 120 Expand defensive cyber-effects operations under NSPM-13 Not started
  110. 120 End USCYBERCOM participation in federal election "fortification" efforts Partially done
  111. 120 Require kinetic-experienced personnel on cyber development teams Not started
  112. 120 Implement GAO's recommendation on enterprise-wide cyber incident reporting Not started
  113. 120 Update the 2022 National Security Strategy to define DOD cyber roles Partially done
  114. 121 Redefine irregular warfare to cover state adversaries Not started
  115. 121 Characterize regional irregular threats in the National Security Strategy Not started
  116. 122 Incorporate irregular warfare directly into the National Defense Strategy Not started
  117. 122 Establish an Irregular Warfare Center of Excellence Not started
  118. 122 Task USSOCOM with countering China's Belt and Road Initiative Not started
  119. 122 Designate USSOCOM as lead for irregular warfare in the National Defense Strategy Not started
  120. 124 Accelerate the Sentinel, LRSO, Columbia-class, B-21, and F-35 DCA programs Needs Congress Partially done
  121. 124 Reject proposals to extend the service life of the Minuteman III ICBM Not started
  122. 124 Fund warhead life extension programs including B61-12, W80-4, W87-1, W88 Needs Congress Done
  123. 124 Develop the Sea-Launched Cruise Missile-Nuclear (SLCM-N) Needs Congress Partially done
  124. 124 Procure more modernized nuclear systems than currently planned Needs Congress Partially done
  125. 124 Improve the ability to use the nuclear triad's upload capacity in a crisis Partially done
  126. 125 Accelerate restoration of plutonium pit production Needs Congress Partially done
  127. 125 Restore nuclear weapons test readiness at the Nevada National Security Site Needs Congress Not started
  128. 125 Reject nuclear disarmament proposals contrary to deterrence Partially done
  129. 126 Keep homeland missile defense out of arms control negotiations Not started
  130. 126 Buy at least 64 Next Generation Interceptors Needs Congress Partially done
  131. 126 Consider a layered defense or a third interceptor site on the East Coast Needs Congress Partially done
  132. 126 Prioritize procurement of THAAD, SM-3, and Patriot regional missile defenses Needs Congress Done
  133. 127 Abandon the policy of not defending the homeland against Russian and Chinese missiles Done
  134. 127 Invest in directed energy and space-based missile defense Needs Congress Partially done
  135. 127 Invest in cruise missile defense of the homeland Needs Congress Partially done
  136. 127 Accelerate deployment of space-based missile tracking sensors Needs Congress Partially done
  137. 127 Accelerate the Glide Phase Interceptor Needs Congress Partially done