CommOs Can’t Do Cyber
A topic that frequently comes up in conversation is whether or not CommOs (Communications Officers) are able to “do Cyber”. These questions normally stem from officers trying to determine whether they or a subordinate would be a good candidate to conduct a lateral movement from their current occupational specialty to the Cyber occupational specialty. I think we all know there is NO WAY a CommO could ever succeed in the Cyber world. For example, how could a CommO possibly be expected to:
Learn new technology quickly and apply it
Lead a team of diverse technicians
Work to support a mission rather than being the focus
Explain highly technical concepts to non-technical decision makers
Navigate unclear or constantly evolving processes
Deconflict their work with others operating in the same mission space
Integrate several technical solutions together in a coherent system
Receive ambiguous guidance and provide options to a Commander
Work with other professionals in and around their occupational specialty and come up with innovative solutions
It should be obvious the above is dripping with sarcasm, but just in case it is not, the Marine Corps already officially validated the concept by selecting a CommO to lead a NMT during the last Command Selection Board https://www.marines.mil/News/Messages/Messages-Display/Article/2871381/fy22-cnmt-1-and-cmt-3-command-selection-board-results/
Equally ridiculous to the mantra that CommOs can’t do cyber is that they already know cyber. While there is significant overlap in the types of skills that will make you a successful CommO and Cyberspace Officer, please don’t immediately think because you can employ some new / complicated technology that you “know cyber”. There’s going to be a massive learning curve, your previous skills will make the curve slightly less massive and likely make you successful more rapidly after enduring the curve. If you are a CommO in charge of a Cyberspace Officer, strongly consider their skillset and knowledge of a domain you do not have experience in. No matter how much you understand the technology, you do not have the whole picture. The further removed your Cyberspace Officers are from the mission/conversation/planning they become exponentially less effective. No, you cannot represent their perspective. Bring them to the meeting.