{"id":18272,"date":"2018-03-13T17:33:12","date_gmt":"2018-03-13T17:33:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/c4isrnet\/uncategorized\/2018\/03\/13\/the-armys-next-question-should-battlefield-commanders-have-cyber-capabilities\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T18:07:39","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T18:07:39","slug":"the-armys-next-question-should-battlefield-commanders-have-cyber-capabilities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/c4isrnet\/home\/2018\/03\/13\/the-armys-next-question-should-battlefield-commanders-have-cyber-capabilities\/","title":{"rendered":"The Army\u2019s next question: should battlefield commanders have cyber capabilities?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This is part two of a two part series<\/i>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Department of Defense has complicated relationship when it comes to authorities and cyberspace operations<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traditionally, the authority to conduct offensive and defensive remote cyber operations abroad has triggered an approval process that rests with the president and can be delegated to lower levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, despite the fact the military is maturing its cadre of cyber warriors within U.S. Cyber Command, Army leaders say tactical commanders want to control cyber capabilities on the battlefield given the nature of the trajectory of future wars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Soldiers with Cyber-Electromagnetic Activities Teams provide support to Brigade Combat Team commanders at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California. This tailored asset has been built to meet commander needs both in training and on deployment. (Steve Stover\/Army)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Army, for example, is gaming out what types of cyber electronic warfare and information operations capabilities should exist at what echelons in a pilot called Cyber and Electromagnetic Activity (CEMA) Support to Corps and Below (CSCB)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While there are significant force structure issues to be determined throughout this process, the Army is also working through the authorities it might need to achieve specific effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs we work this CSCB \u2026 people historically said that\u2019ll never be delegated to a [brigade combat team] commander,\u201d Ronald Pontius, deputy to the commanding general at Army Cyber Command, said during a March 8 keynote during the AFCEA Army Signal Conference. \u201cBut that\u2019s partly what we\u2019re learning in doing these rotations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A brigade combat team operates in a robust social environment, he said, adding items will be posted to social media websites and the brigade has to be cognizant of those items and how they may affect mission and maneuver.<\/p>\n\n\n\t