{"id":50787,"date":"2023-11-21T18:40:43","date_gmt":"2023-11-21T18:40:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2023\/11\/21\/pentagon-seeks-to-rapidly-build-up-information-warfare-force\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T18:41:07","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T18:41:07","slug":"pentagon-seeks-to-rapidly-build-up-information-warfare-force","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/pentagon\/2023\/11\/21\/pentagon-seeks-to-rapidly-build-up-information-warfare-force\/","title":{"rendered":"Pentagon seeks to rapidly build up information-warfare force"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 The U.S. military lacks the ability to quickly deploy personnel that can fend off malevolent actors trying to shape public opinion and must act now to build up such \u201cinformation forces,\u201d according to a newly revealed Pentagon strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conquering the information ecosystem from social-media chatter to government propaganda is increasingly important as mis- and disinformation proliferate and world powers including China and Russia try to influence foreign affairs<\/a> from afar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Defense Department must \u201cbuild a process to rapidly deploy teams of information forces, including the reserve force,\u201d and foster a related workforce comprising military and civilian experts, according to the 2023 Strategy for Operations in the Information Environment. Improved recruiting, training and career paths are needed for the effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congressionally mandated document was made public Nov. 17<\/a>, months after internal publication. Information warfare represents a persuasive brew of public outreach, offensive and defensive electronic capabilities, and cyber operations; it combines data awareness and manipulation to gain an advantage before, during and after major events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs this strategy makes clear, our ability to gain and sustain information advantages at the times and places of our choosing are critical to successful operations in the information space,\u201d Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin wrote in the introduction. \u201cMake no mistake: America\u2019s competitors and enemies are moving quickly in the information environment, hoping to offset our enduring strategic advantages elsewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t