BLUF
Public support (including young people) depends on seeing real benefits early—better communication, workforce investment and local opportunities must take priority to make long-term partnerships feel valuable today. Dual-use tech could highlight broader social value.Learning Outcomes
• Understand key inputs to capability and force structure – The article identifies education, labour supply, and trust as crucial components of long-term strategic capability.
• Evaluate complex strategic challenges and their influence on defence priorities – It explains how inconsistent messaging and delayed benefits may weaken national support and hinder growth.
• Apply critical thinking to national security decision-making – Readers are encouraged to rethink how policy communication and youth engagement shape long-term project viability.
