It is with profound sadness that I extend our condolences to the family and friends of Andrew W. Marshall.

Andy founded the Defense Department's Office of Net Assessment in 1973 and led it for 42 years.  While working as a strategist for the RAND Corporation, he diagnosed the need for an office that could compare our military capabilities to those of our adversaries and advise military leadership on long-term competition. After he joined the department, he pioneered the practice of net assessment by directing and fostering studies of military balances and the comparative national situations and characteristics that shape them.

Andy was a DOD legend; he served every U.S. president from President Nixon to President Obama.  He is remembered as a trusted counselor to 14 defense secretaries and a beloved mentor to generations of defense officials who worked for and alongside him. His career inspires admiration for intellectual excellence and patriotic virtue exercised to great practical effect.

The Department of Defense is forever grateful for Andy's devoted lifetime of service.