Background: The U.S. Military Expansion and Integration on Guam is scheduled to relocate the Third Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) currently on Okinawa, Japan to Guam beginning in 2010, and in addition will serve to facilitate a larger and more multidimensional U.S. military presence and preparedness in the Pacific. This is already leading to extensive planning, assessments, and budgeting by the U.S. military, as well as many federal agencies with responsibilities and direct alignment to issues and needs within their jurisdiction on Guam.

For the United States, the Guam military build-up also represents an unprecedented opportunity to recognize that improving the lives of the citizens of Guam is an integral part of the U.S. national security strategy on Guam. While Guam is already an island of proud Americans who see themselves as the “tip of the spear” of U.S. in the Pacific, the goal  of the U.S. military expansion and integration activities can best succeed through the mutual success of the  military , and for the people of Guam and its government. 

In the near and long term, Guam must do more than witness military growth and expansion. It must participate, and where necessary receive the training and support to do so. The Guam people, and their economy, culture, and life on the island intersects directly with the military goals. The Government of Guam will assume roles and responsibilities for greater regional leadership across Micronesia.  It will be charged with protecting homeland security, facilitating international trade and commerce, strengthening education and the workforce, and protecting the environment.

The key factors and guiding principles to achieving mutual success by the U.S. military, the Federal Government, and Guam are: 

•  Respect and recognition
•  Collaborative planning and partnerships
•  Communication and dialogue
•  Investment and accountability

A preliminary assessment would indicate that these guiding principles are not being applied by the military as it plans and initiates the military expansion. However, it would not appear that the military can succeed on its own, and that the military, Federal agencies, and the
people and government of Guam must succeed together. Furthermore, central to many plans and expectations by the military are examples of unfunded expansion and modernization of Guam’s infrastructure, systems, and programs; uncertain risks to natural resources and the environment; and the impact on the people and culture of Guam. Illustrating unmet needs that exist on Guam at this first stage of the Military Expansion and Integration Activities on Guam are the cornerstone challenges that are visible on Guam in the areas of:

Physical Infrastructure, Health and Human Services, Labor, Environment, Economic Development, and Master Planning. These challenges reflect the need for a stronger foundation to leverage and support the intensive and diverse activities which will take place on Guam during the expansion. Can success of the U.S. national security mission and strategy on Guam be achieved without it? 

Click here to view or download this report.