Information Warfare and Army Guard Readiness
Abstract
Information warfare and its several variants and/or components such as cyber war, precision guided missiles, technological advancements, and computer network attacks provides an opportunity for the United States to conduct a major conflict with an assumed minimization of casualties unlike the Gulf War where casualty estimates were high. The Army National Guard, now a vital ingredient of the National Military Strategy, must learn to fight in a technology-based world. Given the limited training time available and the fact that mission readiness is already a concern, Army National Guard strategic leaders must now, more than ever, establish a basis for successful AC/RC integration. This paper examines the challenges introduced in information warfare and how leaders within the Army National Guard might respond. As a result of the study, a table for Army National Guard leaders to consider is proposed and discussed. The table addresses issues, concerns, and strategies at the three levels of war: tactical, operational, and strategic. Although several factors impact Guard readiness, this study emphasizes certain factors and provides a basis for Guard leaders when preparing or assessing information warfare capabilities. Finally, challenges are introduced and discussed. It is imperative that the Guard leadership, leaders of our nation's strategic reserve, ensures a competent and capable 21% Century fighting force. Following the proposed table and addressing the challenges are just two options available to the leadership.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 03, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA377582
Entities
People
- Ricky W. Streight
Organizations
- United States Army War College