"Russia and China, recognizing the value of highly trained troops, have begun ramping up and revamping their training programs in recent years," a team led by defense analyst Omar Lamrani noted.
As a result the training advantage the US enjoyed for decades will no longer be absolute or definite and the opponents it might encounter will be a force to be reckoned with.
"Though [Russia and China] will not be able to overtake the United States in conventional military dominance anytime soon, the United States will have to prepare to face adversaries that are better trained than any it has encountered since World War II," experts noted in their analysis conducted for Stratfor.
The analysts referred to this trend (unlikely to be reversed in the years to come) as a "more pressing and far more certain threat facing US troops in future conflicts."
Improved military training involves conducting diverse and non-scripted military exercises which are set in realistic conditions and involve different service branches. Not surprisingly, Russia and China often hold joint drills.
"Both Russia and China appear to be determined to continue investing in their forces' development, despite growing financial constraints; even if military spending is ultimately cut, training and instruction will likely continue to take precedence over other areas. Superior training alone cannot win a war, but it can make the difference between success and failure," the analysis concluded.