JEFFREY COUILLARD
SPRING 2024
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ABSTRACT
This paper explores whether the United States should establish a separate Cyber Mil-
itary Force. The article begins with a brief review of current cyber threats to the Unit-
ed States, followed by a review of historical precedent and great power competition.
It then analyzes the current cyber military structure to help identify potential gaps
within the current approach to offensive and defensive cyber operations. To provide
a possible course of action in the context of a recommended framework, the article
proposes using a well-known military framework called DOTMLPF-P (Doctrine, Or-
ganization, Training, Materiel, Leadership & Education, Personnel, Facilities, and
Policy). The methodology used is a qualitative literature review, including journal
articles, military doctrine, historical references, subject matter expert articles, U.S.
Government Accounting Office reports, cyber industry reports, and legislation. The
research aims to bring readers to the conclusion that it is time to establish a separate
U.S. Cyber Force.
Keywords – Cyber, Cyber Defense, Cyberspace, National Security Strategy, National Cyber Strategy, Cyber Domain, Department of Defense
INTRODUCTION
I
n 1947, President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act.
1
This act made
numerous changes to the nation’s defense and intelligence organizations including
the establishment of the Department of the Air Force. In 2019, President Trump
signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)
2
establishing the U.S. Space
Force as a component under the Department of the Air Force, aer roughly twenty years
This is a work of the U.S. Government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States. Foreign copyrights may apply.
COL Jeffrey Couillard
Beyond USCYBERCOM:
The Need to Establish a Dedicated
U.S. Cyber Military Force
