Defense Secretary Ash Carter has launched a national discussion on building the Force of the Future and what the Defense Department must do to change and adapt to maintain its superiority well into the 21st century.

Army veteran Matthew Lammers competes in a backstroke event during the 2016 Department of Defense Warrior Games at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., June 20, 2016. DoD photo by EJ Hersom

Soldiers direct teams to move toward incoming medical helicopters during a mass casualty exercise as part of Anakonda 2016 in Miloslawiec, Poland, June 11, 2016. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class John Fries

As seen though a night-vision device, airmen maneuver through an urban terrain site in a New Jersey National Guard training center at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., June 16, 2016. Training focused on simulating low-light conditions in an urban environment. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Matt Hecht

Air Force Lt. Col. Todd Larsen waits as airmen fasten his helmet to prepare him for a flight on a U-2 Dragon Lady at Osan Air Base, South Korea, June 16, 2016. All U-2 pilots wear pressurized suits to compensate for lack of atmosphere at the great heights they fly. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Victor J. Caputo

A referee judges targets during the the archery competition at the 2016 Department of Defense Warrior Games at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., June 17, 2016. The event is an adaptive sports competition for wounded, ill and injured service members, and veterans. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Carlin Leslie

The 2016 DoD Warrior Games is an adaptive sports competition for wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans. About 250 athletes will participate in eight sporting events, representing teams from U.S. and British armed forces.

Marines discuss tactics before resuming training at the Pacific War Memorial at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, June 13, 2016. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew J. Bragg

Soldiers stretch during sunrise before an early morning run at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, June 13, 2016. Army photo by Sgt. Brandon Hubbard

Army 1st Lt. Jennings, foreground, moves out with his team members to their next objective after an airborne operation during Swift Response16, in Hohenfels, Germany, June 15, 2016. Jennings is assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team. Army photo by Sgt. Juan F. Jimenez

Soldiers drag a simulated wounded patient in an evacuation stretcher while participating in an exercise to assess and evacuate casualties at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, Vt., June 12, 2016. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Sarah Mattison

The president has authorized U.S. Central Command to work with partner nations to conduct targeted airstrikes of Iraq and Syria as part of the comprehensive strategy to degrade and defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL.

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Abbie Johnson gets a kiss from Kona, her military service dog, after competing in a swimming during the 2016 Department of Defense Warrior Games at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., June 20, 2016. DoD photo by Roger Wollenberg