Defense Operations Blog

Ensuring that deployed U.S. troops can communicate and exchange information is critical to the military’s missions. That said, there are numerous challenges in deploying the high-speed tactical networks that make this communication possible. How, for example, do you make sure these networks are available when needed? What is the best way to maintain data integrity? The accuracy of the data—such as troop location—is just as important as network availability.

DARPA is hearing voices. And now, so can you. The Defense Department's renowned research arm has launched a new podcast series, Voices from DARPA.

There is no escaping the barrage of technology and devices ever-present in our modern lives. Consider that many middle school kids today are iPhone-wielding and Fitbit-wearing youngsters. The public sector workplace is no different. Federal IT professionals must consider the sheer volume and variety of devices connecting to their networks—from fitness wearables to laptops, tablets and smartphones, with a dash of IoT and cloud for good measure. 

Master Gunnery Sgt. Arthur Allen III, USMC (Ret.), left active duty this past summer after a 31-year career that included deployments to Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan. He does not yet know what his next professional position will be, but he knows his life after active duty will include volunteer work.

The Army Materiel Command (AMC) is modernizing and deploying pre-positioned stocks in Europe, Africa and Asia Pacific to ensure the service can rapidly and effectively respond to threats as they occur. Those so-called activity sets include the latest in communications and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) equipment.

When asked about the highlight of his career, retired Brig. Gen. Kevin Nally, USMC, could provide a lot of different answers. The highlight, in his eyes, was mentoring young Marines and “passing on my knowledge and what I’ve learned from others so that they don’t make the same mistakes and have the chance and the resources to succeed.”

No one needs reliable connectivity more than the nation’s armed forces, especially during the heat of battle. But reliable connectivity often can be hampered by a hidden enemy: latency and bandwidth concerns. The Army is working a network solution and has laid out a communications blueprint that other defense organizations can—and should—emulate, writes SolarWinds' CIO Joel Dolisy.

The key to incorporating advanced capabilities in the U.S. military lies not so much in technology as it does in cultural changes in government and industry that will clear the way for innovation to take hold.

Government-industry cooperation, all the more important in tight budget times, is being redefined in DISA with an agency reorganization aimed at contracting and delivering services more efficiently.