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This week, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) announced they’re launching a new commission next month to map out what a cyber-focused military branch could look like—something some experts have been urging for years. They’re not deciding whether to create a Cyber Force (that job falls to the National Academies under the FY2025 NDAA), but how to do it—and what hurdles might get in the way. And with Russia, China, and Iran regularly flexing their cyber muscles, a plan can’t come soon enough. Commission creds: The 17-member CSIS panel is made up of retired military leaders, national security officials, and industry execs, including some pretty heavy hitters: |
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The group will develop an implementation roadmap for a potential cyber service, covering its organizational structure, responsibilities, and authorities. As the announcement put it, “By outlining these issues in advance, this effort seeks to accelerate execution, reduce transition risk, and ensure that policy decisions are translated into operational advantage.” George Barnes, former NSA deputy director and now head of the Cyber Practice at Red Cell Partners, told Tectonic that he was asked to join because of his “many years at NSA, in leadership and the technical side.” But, he added, “I haven’t been active in saying there needs to be a Cyber Force.” Barnes said that he wants to “make sure key factors are considered in any implementation plan if the National Academy of Science proposes that there should be a Cyber Force and the President goes forward—because the stakes are really high, with or without a Cyber Force.” Cyber Force skeptics: However, not everyone is sold on the idea. Last year, Lt. Gen. Charlie “Tuna” Moore (Ret.), former deputy commander of Cyber Command, wrote an op-ed stating that “now is not the time” for a dedicated Cyber Force because “the threats are too great, the costs are too high, and the results can be achieved quicker utilizing the authorities US Cyber Command already possesses.” While he’s on the commission, Barnes says he wants skeptics in the mix. “This commission has to actually engage people like Tuna, a thoughtful leader with a lot of experience,” he said. “He’ll be somebody that needs to be called upon to answer what things mean regarding the aspirations of a Cyber Force.” But some experts remain unconvinced. Dan Grazier, director of the National Security Reform program at the Stimson Center and a former Marine Corps officer, told Tectonic that a Cyber Force is the “absolute last thing the DoD needs.” |
Sandra Erwin
Sandra Erwin is a senior staff writer at SpaceNews, a trusted and independent source of news and analysis of the companies, agencies, technologies and trends shaping the global space industry.
Based in Arlington, Virginia, Erwin specializes in Defense Department and Intelligence
Community space programs, policy, budgets, technology and the industry that supports
this sector.
In addition to reporting breaking news, Erwin writes a monthly column “On National
Security” that appears monthly in the SpaceNews magazine and edits SpaceNews
Military.Space, a weekly news-and-insights newsletter.
Erwin joined SpaceNews in October 2017. Before that, she covered the U.S. military, the
Pentagon, Congress and the defense industry for over two decades as editor of the
National Defense Industrial Association’s National Defense Magazine and as Pentagon
correspondent for Real Clear Defense.
Brig. Gen. (ret) Damon Feltman
Damon Feltman is the Chief Operating Officer of the Space Force Association, a 501c3 non- profit and recognized national military association supporting the U.S. Space Force. In this capacity, he is responsible for creation and execution of the Association’s long-range strategy, synchronizing ongoing activities, and managing growth of chapters and memberships. He is also the founder of OXR Consulting, LLC, specializing in defense and commercial space advisement, strategic planning and change, and leadership development.
A retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General, Feltman brings more than 32
years of managing multibillion-dollar space, aviation, and defense global
operations to his customers. Prior to his retirement, he served as the
Deputy Chief Strategy and Resources Officer for the U.S. Space Force,
where he oversaw its $30B budget development, space systems
requirements, strategy creation, and international partnerships for the
service’s 14,000 members and global operations. In addition, he served
on the senior staff at United States Space Command where he led
operations and exercises for the newly formed organization, served as
Vice Commander overseeing 18 nation-wide units, 17,000 personnel, and
150 aircraft, and was a two-time commander in charge of multiple space
missions including GPS, weather, and missile warning.
Damon was also an accomplished Federal Civil Servant, and most
recently was the Chief, Transport Cell, at the Space Force’s Space
Development Agency. Here, he was answerable for the technical
strategy, advanced technology maturation, and human capital for the
$8B, 450-satellite Transport program. In addition, he was the Deputy
Director of Strategic Plans, Programs, and Requirements for the Air Force
Reserve, creating the $6B annual budget for its 70,000 military members
and 37 air, space, cyber, and intelligence missions.
Damon also serves as Board Chair for the Association of Commercial
Space Professionals and is a mentor to Vanderbilt University’s Space
Edge Accelerator program.
Damon holds multiple advanced degrees in space leadership, strategic
studies, and business management, along with executive training from
Harvard and National Defense University. His expertise in strategic growth,
global partnerships, and operational excellence continues to shape the
future of space enterprise, empowering organizations to leverage space-
derived data and capabilities to seize new market opportunities and
maintain a competitive advantage.
Jared Newton
Jared Newton is a Senior Technology Strategist For Planet Labs, Federal, where he leads capture activities that align and advance Planet’s technology portfolio and future systems roadmap.
Prior to joining Planet, Mr. Newton spent 22 years in the federal government serving in a variety of geospatial intelligence roles. Most recently serving as the Technical Executive for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Commercial Operations group where he led efforts relating to commercial data acquisition, independent data verification and validation, commercial GEOINT Assurance & data integrity, and provided strategic and policy support to commercial remote sensing regulatory activities. Prior to NGA, Mr. Newton led technology transformation efforts within the Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) programs for both the Marine Corps Intelligence Activity (MCIA) and U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM). Mr. Newton is an Army veteran and holds a Masters of Arts in Intelligence Studies from American Military University.
Trevor Smith
Trevor Smith is the Founder and CEO of Atomic-6, committed to revolutionizing the composites industry through innovative solutions. A passionate entrepreneur, he oversees business development, investor relations, technological innovation, and strategic partnerships. Trevor was deeply involved in the research and development of Atomic-6, personally funding the company during its formative years. As a two-time founder, he is recognized for his strategic vision and talent for team building. His past roles include President and Co-founder of Sprout Lighting, an LED lighting company, and Vice President of CRESA Atlanta, a commercial real estate firm. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus on real estate finance from the University of Mississippi. Outside of work, Trevor enjoys riding dirt bikes with his two boys, racing on two or four wheels, and the occasional night of stargazing.
Dr. Paul Struhsaker
Paul Struhsaker is a serial entrepreneur, lecturer, technology executive, and author of How The Hell Did We Get Here? A Citizen’s guide to the New Cold War and the Rebuilding of Deterrence
He started his career as an intelligence analyst at the National Security Agency, where his duties included assignments as a US Navy nuclear submarine officer and master diver. At the end of the Cold War, he left the intelligence community. He founded a series of start-ups, including Aironet Wireless, a pioneering Wi-Fi start-up acquired by Cisco, Airspan, a 4G/5G cellular base station innovator acquired by SoftBank, and SatBridge acquired by Thuraya. He went on to hold executive roles, including CTO of Broadband at Texas Instruments, SVP of Engineering at Comcast NBCUniversal, and CTO of Dell Computer. He is currently Managing Director of Arrasar Partners.