As the general election gears up, questions surrounding defense and national security are likely to dominate the national discussion.  While defense transformation remains an important issue for the Defense Department, it will most likely be lost in policy debates about Iraq and Iran.  But defense transformation is not an arcane policy issue; rather it is critical to ensuring that the U.S. retains its preeminent position in world affairs.  Simply put, transformation refers to the optimal alignment and development of capabilities, organizations and processes in support of the warfighter to reflect the ever-changing nature of warfare.  It is an issue that will confront the next president of the United States. 

Current U.S. military operations are a case in point.  The Defense Department must…