Is It Time for a US Cyber Force?

摘要

With the doctrinal designation of cyberspace as an operational military domain comes significant implications that include defending, exploiting, and evolving capabilities in pursuit of national objectives. The designation also raises a debate on US military force structure needed to realize its full potential and whether the current construct can support its development. Can the current Department of Defense establishment meet the demands and potential of the cyberspace domain? Or is a separate force, independent of the other services and agencies, needed to project and protect vital US cyberspace interests? Using the US Air Force s path to independence as context for an analysis of cyberspace force capabilities, this essay explores whether the services and combat support agencies can meet strategic national objectives. Or, as suggested by retired Navy Admiral James Stavridis, is an independent US Cyber Force needed? Specifically, the existence of four criterions are explored: a unique, strategic military capability unachievable by any of the other services and agencies; corresponding technological advances; an unrestricted battlespace to develop, test, and refine theories, weapons, and tactics; and political champions to maneuver the bureaucratic and legislative terrain needed to pass legislation to create a separate military service.