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'''Andrew W. Marshall''' (September 21, 1921 – March 26, 2019) was an influential American defense strategist and analyst. He served as the director of the [[Office of Net Assessment]] (ONA) at the [[United States Department of Defense]] from its inception in 1973 until his retirement in 2015. Marshall was known for his strategic foresight and his role in shaping U.S. defense policy | '''Andrew W. Marshall''' (September 21, 1921 – March 26, 2019) was an influential American defense strategist and analyst. He served as the director of the [[Office of Net Assessment]] (ONA) at the [[United States Department of Defense]] from its inception in 1973 until his retirement in 2015. Marshall was known for his strategic foresight and his role in shaping U.S. defense policy during the [[Cold War]] and beyond. | ||
==Early | ==Early Life and Education== | ||
Andrew Marshall was born in [[Detroit, Michigan]]. He attended the [[University of Chicago]], where he studied | Andrew Marshall was born in [[Detroit, Michigan]]. He attended the [[University of Chicago]], where he studied under notable economists and strategists, including [[Milton Friedman]] and [[Herbert A. Simon]]. Marshall earned a bachelor's degree in economics, which laid the foundation for his analytical approach to defense strategy. | ||
==Career== | ==Career== | ||
===RAND Corporation=== | ===RAND Corporation=== | ||
Marshall | Before joining the Department of Defense, Marshall worked at the [[RAND Corporation]], a think tank that conducts research and analysis for the U.S. armed forces. At RAND, he was involved in pioneering studies on military strategy and the implications of technological advancements on warfare. | ||
===Office of Net Assessment=== | ===Office of Net Assessment=== | ||
[[File:Andrew_Marshal.jpg|Andrew Marshall | [[File:Andrew_Marshal.jpg|Andrew W. Marshall|thumb|right]] | ||
In 1973, Marshall was appointed by | In 1973, Marshall was appointed by then-Secretary of Defense [[James R. Schlesinger]] to lead the newly established Office of Net Assessment. The ONA was tasked with providing long-term strategic assessments and identifying emerging threats to U.S. national security. Under Marshall's leadership, the office became known for its innovative approaches to defense analysis and its focus on understanding the strategic intentions and capabilities of potential adversaries. | ||
Marshall's work at the ONA | Marshall's work at the ONA emphasized the importance of maintaining a competitive edge over adversaries through technological innovation and strategic foresight. He was instrumental in advocating for the development of advanced military technologies and the concept of the "[[Revolution in Military Affairs]]" (RMA), which highlighted the transformative impact of information technology on warfare. | ||
===Influence and | ===Influence and Legacy=== | ||
Marshall's influence extended beyond his official role, as he mentored several generations of defense analysts and strategists. His ability to anticipate future challenges and his emphasis on | Marshall's influence extended beyond his official role, as he mentored several generations of defense analysts and strategists. His approach to strategic assessment, often referred to as "net assessment," became a key component of U.S. defense planning. Marshall's ability to anticipate future challenges and his emphasis on adaptability and innovation left a lasting impact on U.S. military strategy. | ||
==Retirement and | ==Retirement and Death== | ||
Andrew Marshall retired from the Office of Net Assessment in 2015, after more than four decades of service. He passed away on March 26, 2019, at the age of 97. His contributions to defense strategy and his role | Andrew Marshall retired from the Office of Net Assessment in 2015, after more than four decades of service. He passed away on March 26, 2019, at the age of 97. His contributions to defense strategy and his role in shaping U.S. military policy continue to be recognized and studied by defense analysts and historians. | ||
==Related | ==Related Pages== | ||
* [[Office of Net Assessment]] | * [[Office of Net Assessment]] | ||
* [[Revolution in Military Affairs]] | * [[Revolution in Military Affairs]] | ||
* [[RAND Corporation]] | * [[RAND Corporation]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Cold War]] | ||
[[Category:American defense strategists]] | |||
[[Category:1921 births]] | [[Category:1921 births]] | ||
[[Category:2019 deaths]] | [[Category:2019 deaths]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:University of Chicago alumni]] | ||
[[Category:People from Detroit]] | [[Category:People from Detroit]] | ||
Latest revision as of 16:25, 5 March 2025
American defense strategist
Andrew W. Marshall (September 21, 1921 – March 26, 2019) was an influential American defense strategist and analyst. He served as the director of the Office of Net Assessment (ONA) at the United States Department of Defense from its inception in 1973 until his retirement in 2015. Marshall was known for his strategic foresight and his role in shaping U.S. defense policy during the Cold War and beyond.
Early Life and Education[edit]
Andrew Marshall was born in Detroit, Michigan. He attended the University of Chicago, where he studied under notable economists and strategists, including Milton Friedman and Herbert A. Simon. Marshall earned a bachelor's degree in economics, which laid the foundation for his analytical approach to defense strategy.
Career[edit]
RAND Corporation[edit]
Before joining the Department of Defense, Marshall worked at the RAND Corporation, a think tank that conducts research and analysis for the U.S. armed forces. At RAND, he was involved in pioneering studies on military strategy and the implications of technological advancements on warfare.
Office of Net Assessment[edit]

In 1973, Marshall was appointed by then-Secretary of Defense James R. Schlesinger to lead the newly established Office of Net Assessment. The ONA was tasked with providing long-term strategic assessments and identifying emerging threats to U.S. national security. Under Marshall's leadership, the office became known for its innovative approaches to defense analysis and its focus on understanding the strategic intentions and capabilities of potential adversaries.
Marshall's work at the ONA emphasized the importance of maintaining a competitive edge over adversaries through technological innovation and strategic foresight. He was instrumental in advocating for the development of advanced military technologies and the concept of the "Revolution in Military Affairs" (RMA), which highlighted the transformative impact of information technology on warfare.
Influence and Legacy[edit]
Marshall's influence extended beyond his official role, as he mentored several generations of defense analysts and strategists. His approach to strategic assessment, often referred to as "net assessment," became a key component of U.S. defense planning. Marshall's ability to anticipate future challenges and his emphasis on adaptability and innovation left a lasting impact on U.S. military strategy.
Retirement and Death[edit]
Andrew Marshall retired from the Office of Net Assessment in 2015, after more than four decades of service. He passed away on March 26, 2019, at the age of 97. His contributions to defense strategy and his role in shaping U.S. military policy continue to be recognized and studied by defense analysts and historians.