To accomplish these vital tasks, all of us should be concerned with the strength, effectiveness and morale .of our State Department and our Foreign Service.

Another guide in the preparation of the Administration’s program is: 

THE CONSTANT IMPROVEMENT OF OUR NATIONAL SECURITY

Because peace is the keystone of our national policy, our defense program emphasizes an effective flexible type of power calculated to deter or repulse any aggression and to preserve the peace.  Short of war, we have never had military strength better adapted to our needs with improved readiness for emergency use.  The maintenance of this strong military capability for the indefinite future will continue to call for a large share of our national budget.  Our military programs must meet the needs of today.  To build less would expose the nation to aggression.  To build excessively, under the influence of fear, could defeat our purposes and impair or destroy the very freedom and economic system our military defenses are designed to protect.

We have improved the effectiveness and combat readiness of our forces by developing and making operational new weapons and by integrating the latest scientific developments, including new atomic weapons, into our military plans.  We continue to push the production of the most modern military aircraft.  The development of long-range missiles has been on an accelerated basis for some time.  We are moving as rapidly as practicable toward nuclear-powered aircraft and ships.  Combat capability, especially in terms of firepower, has been substantially increased.  We have made the adjustments in personnel permitted by the cessation of the Korean War, the buildup of our allies and the introduction of new weapons.  The services are all planning realistically on a long-term basis.

To strengthen our continental defenses the United States and Canada, in the closest cooperation, have substantially augmented early warning networks.  Great progress is being made in extending surveillance of the Arctic, the Atlantic and the Pacific approaches to North America.

In the last analysis our real strength lies in the caliber of the men and women in our Armed Forces, active and Reserve.  Much has been done to attract and hold capable military personnel, but more needs to be done.  This year, I renew my request of last year for legislation to provide proper medical care for military dependents and a more equitable survivors’ benefit program.  The Administration will prepare additional recommendations designed to achieve the same objectives, including career incentives for medical and dental officers and nurses, and increases in the proportion of regular officers.