In a significant legislative move, the U.S. Congress has taken substantial steps towards the potential establishment of a sixth military branch dedicated exclusively to cyber operations, recognizing the paramount importance of cybersecurity in today’s digital age. The House and Senate Armed Services Committees have jointly agreed to include a provision within the fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that mandates an independent study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. This study is designed to determine the feasibility and advisability of either creating a separate Armed Force specifically for cyber operations or refining the existing structure of U.S. Cyber Command. This decisive action follows similar provisions included in both chambers’ initial versions of the NDAA earlier this year, which were later reconciled and integrated into the final conferenced bill. This move essentially revives a nearly identical provision from the previous year that was eventually eliminated during the conference process, reflecting the increased political will to address cyber threats more effectively.
Rising Cyber Threats and the Need for a Dedicated Force
Despite facing opposition from the Biden administration and the Defense Department, there is burgeoning support within Congress and various interest groups for the creation of a cyber force. Proponents of this initiative argue that the constantly evolving cyber threat landscape, combined with existing challenges concerning readiness and the inherently dynamic nature of cyber operations, necessitates a dedicated and streamlined organizational approach. This would contrast starkly with the current model, where each military branch supplies personnel to U.S. Cyber Command, producing operational silos and inconsistencies. Detractors of the existing arrangement highlight issues related to readiness and incongruent force models, emphasizing the need for a more cohesive structure. Lawmakers have expressed steady frustration with the Defense Department’s sluggish pace in conducting internal evaluations on this matter, leading to heightened calls for independent assessments to offer an objective viewpoint.
The policy bill accompanying the NDAA acknowledges the intrinsic complexity involved in optimizing the structure of cyber forces and operations, especially given the ongoing demands for training and the competition with the private sector for skilled cyber professionals. Congress believes that an independent examination by the National Academies could yield critical insights that will aid in future force design and organizational concepts. The potential benefits of a dedicated cyber force include improved operational efficiency, enhanced coordination among cyber units, and the ability to rapidly adapt to emerging threats. However, establishing such a force would require navigating several challenges, including allocation of resources, defining its mission scope, and ensuring integrated operations with existing military branches.
Insights from Previous Organizational Experiences
One crucial aspect that the National Academies are encouraged to consider involves analyzing the lessons gleaned from the creation of the Space Force in 2019, which was the last major addition to the U.S. military structure. This analysis is expected to provide valuable parallels and insights that could be applied to the potential establishment of a cyber force. However, lawmakers are aware that the members of the National Academies might face challenges due to their potential lack of deep expertise in military cyber missions, which could impact the comprehensiveness of their findings. Despite these concerns, the initiative underscores the growing recognition of the significant role that cybersecurity plays in national defense and the need for a robust organizational framework to tackle these challenges.
Specific areas that lawmakers are keen for the National Academies to explore include determining the optimal size and structure of the cyber force, evaluating the current understanding and definitions of cyber operations, and identifying ways to improve training and recruitment of cyber professionals. Additionally, the study aims to assess how reserve forces could be better utilized, enhance force readiness, and improve the Defense Department’s organizational structure for acquiring and providing cyber capabilities. There is also a focus on improving professional military education with a strong emphasis on cybersecurity and understanding the potential tradeoffs of increased optimization for cyberspace operations.
Legislative Momentum and Steps Ahead
In a landmark legislative development, the U.S. Congress has taken major steps toward potentially establishing a sixth military branch focused solely on cyber operations, underscoring the crucial importance of cybersecurity in our digital era. The House and Senate Armed Services Committees have agreed to include a directive in the fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct an independent study. This research will evaluate the feasibility and advisability of either creating a new Armed Force specifically for cyber operations or enhancing the current structure of U.S. Cyber Command. This decisive action comes after similar measures were included in both chambers’ initial NDAA drafts earlier this year but were later merged into the final bill. By reviving a nearly identical provision from the previous year—which was cut during the conference process—this move demonstrates growing political resolve to more effectively tackle cyber threats.
