The current and coming funding reduction for the military is of a scope that calls for revisiting how to maintain the military establishment and even its purpose. Planners must choose from among readiness, modernization, and personnel, and since military efficacy is widely attributed first to the people, that may be the first place to look in avoiding a long-term choice between giving up capacity or largely turning away from jointness by renewing inter-Service competition, and making slashes that alienate contractors, retirees, allies, and serving personnel. The right emphasis is key as is recruiting and retaining the right people and grooming promising candidates for the highest positions in their respective Services or agencies, ensuring the best advice to civilian authorities.