March 2021

Plus:
 Spectrum Sensing
 PMP cert
 Signal History
The Army Communicator is published as a command information e-publication for
the men and women of the United States Army Signal Corps under the provisions of
AR 360-1.
Opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of Office, Chief of
Signal, the US Army or the Department of Defense.
Submit articles, photos, graphics, videos, story ideas, and nominations for “Signal
Spotlight” to the editor here. For additional information, please call (706) 791-7384.
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COL John T. Batson

Signal School Commandant

CSM Darien D. Lawshea

Signal Corps Regimental Command Sergeant Major

CW5 Garth R. Hahn

Signal Corps Regimental Chief Warrant Officer

Nicholas M. Spinelli
Editor-in-Chief

On the Cover
Logistics play an important role in WAVES
(Worldwide, Amphibious/Airborne, Virtual,
Electromagnetic Spectrum, and Seaborne,
Space, and Supply Chain), a strategic plan-
ning framework specifically developed to set
a theater from an Information Advantage Ac-
tivities and Multi-Domain Operations per-
spective.
Photo provided by Maj. Damon Knauss
2
Signal Regimental Team
Welcome to the March edition of the Army Communicator!
In an information era, communications technologies play a critical role and are
integral to our everyday way of life. In the same sense, we continue to see an in-
creased demand signal in the reliance of technology on the battlefield. I have made
note of it in previous issues, but it bears repeating: the Signal mission is more im-
portant than ever. But mission accomplishment doesn’t happen without you. Gen- COL John T. Batson
eral McConville has said that it’s people like you that are going to allow us to win. I Signal School
Commandant
agree. In this issue, we look at some of the ways Signaleers are working to ensure
channels of communication remain open, enabling us to win on the battlefield.
You’ll also see in our history section just how important Signal has always been
to the Army mission. At the end of February, a casing ceremony was held for the
Signal Museum on Fort Gordon. Located at the heart of Fort Gordon at the base of
the Signal Tower complex, the museum has served as a medium of stimulating es-
prit de corps in the Regiment. It has provided training and education to soldiers, mil-
itary dependents and the general public on all aspects of the history of the Signal
Corps, the development of Fort Gordon and vicinity, and the US Army. The museum
housed a collection of artifacts, memorabilia, and historical information dating back CSM Darien D. Lawshea
to the time of Brig. Gen. Albert Myer and the birth of the Signal Regiment. Regimental CSM
As our communications architecture continues to evolve with the Army’s mod-
ernization efforts, so as does our institution of training and education. A result of
Fort Gordon’s deliberate transformation efforts, the museum is being packed up
and its contents stored while construction begins on the new Cyber Center of Ex-
cellence Complex. There is no doubt that what is soon to come will excite and in-
spire future generations of communicators. We want to thank our historical team
and Signal museum staff for maintaining our Regiment’s history.
Finally, as always, CSM Lawshea, CW5 Hahn and I would like to thank you for
taking the time to join us here. If you have an idea or an article you would like to
see published, let us know. Until next month, Pro Patria Vigilans! CW5 Garth R. Hahn
Regimental CWO
3
Army’s spectrum-sensing technology
to help units avoid radio detection
Jasmyne Douglas awareness of their own radio emissions.
DEVCOM C5ISR Center Public Affairs Soldiers currently cannot “see” their own radio emis-
sions within the radio frequency spectrum, putting them
The Army is improving situational awareness of the at risk of detection by adversaries. The Army’s spectrum
electromagnetic battlefield by developing spectrum- awareness effort provides intuitive graphic overlays that
sensing capabilities that provide Soldiers with greater enable Soldiers to visualize the energy emitting from
their radio frequency systems, said Jonathan Lee, an en-
gineer with the Command, Control, Communications,
Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Recon-
naissance (C5ISR) Center – a component of Army Fu-
tures Command’s Combat Capabilities Development
Command.
“Knowing what we look like to the enemy from an
electromagnetic perspective is a critical capability at all
echelons of the Army,” said Lee. “This technology im-
proves one’s situational understanding of the electro-
magnetic environment. It will enhance units’ ability to de-
termine if a signal is friendly or malicious, and it will aid in
planning maneuvers.”
Spectrum awareness is one of eight promising Army-
developed science and technology efforts the Network
Cross-Functional Team (CFT) has prioritized to receive
research, development, test, and evaluation prototyping
funds to move from early research and development to
the demonstration and validation phase.
Sgt. 1st Class Patrick O. Huggins tests a radio during the Network Mod- “Today, we need to be more judicious in order to in-
ernization Experiment taking place at Joint Base McGuire-Dix- crease survivability, specifically for our command posts
Lakehurst, New Jersey, Sept. 10, 2020. Spectrum awareness provides
Soldiers’ with greater awareness of their own radio emissions, improv- where technology that transmits is most dense,” said
ing their situational awareness on the electromagnetic battlefield. Chief Warrant Officer 5 Chris Westbrook, N-CFT chief of
Photo by Jasmyne Douglas marketing research and senior technical advisor. “This
4
effort is going a long way to informing
network design and our capability
sets.”
Fiscal year 2020 is the first year
the Network CFT requested and re-
ceived prototyping funds aligned to
science and technology integration
efforts in support of future network
capability sets.
“The funding is allowing the sci-
ence and technology community to
take the next step in developing
spectrum awareness capabilities that
will address capability gaps for the
Army,” said Lee. “We believed this
technology could be further matured
to support additional complex propa-
gation environments and support the
identification of new and complex sig-
nal types. More work has to be done
to further improve our situational
awareness and understanding capa-
bilities, but this funded effort is a key
step in enhancing those for our Sol-
diers.”
Lee and his team were able to
continue growing the capability from
a Department of Defense technology
readiness level (TRL) 4– which repre-
sents component or breadboard vali-
dation in a laboratory environment –
to a TRL 6, which is a prototype The main screens for the Electronic Warfare Planning and Management Tool or EWPMT, Program
ready for demonstration in an opera- Manager Electronic Warfare & Sensors (PM EW&C) main system for processing electronic warfare
tionally relevant environment. This effects. The EWMPT provides the initial integrated Electronic Warfare System (IEWS) capability by
coordinating and synchronizing operations across the Army Intelligence, Operation and Signal
included further maturing capabilities staff sections within the command post from Army battalions to the joint task force level.
for actionable intelligence and im- Photo by John Higgins
5
proved mission planning, such as fare and Cyber of PEO Intelligence contributes to a more accurate, time-
Electronic Attack Effects Simulator Electronic Warfare and Sensors ly, and tactically relevant understand-
(EAES) and Real Time Spectrum Sit- (IEW&S) that supports the command- ing of the radio frequency spectrum,
uational Awareness (RTSSA). er’s military decision-making process. providing Soldiers with enhanced
EAES provides near-real time “The EWPMT helps mitigate a crit- mission planning and the ability to in-
modeling and simulation to compute ical vulnerability gap across most Ar- form multi-domain operations.
and visualize the impact of an adver- my formations today: the ability to un- The C5ISR Center is working with
sarial electronic attack on a proposed derstand a unit’s friendly ‘foot print’ in PdM EWI to identify additional capa-
course of action, thus aiding com- the electromagnetic spectrum,” said bilities and demonstration needs.
manders in determining how best to Lt. Col. Jason Marshall, PEO Spectrum awareness technologies
maneuver assets within the bat- IEW&S’s product manager for Elec- are slated to be included in the first
tlespace. tronic Warfare Integration (EWI). capability drops scheduled for fiscal
RTSSA senses and compares de- “This enables electronic warfare offic- years 2022 and 2023.
tected spectrum against authoritative ers and electromagnetic spectrum “The collaboration between the
assignment data in the Joint Spec- manager Soldiers to inform their user community, research and devel-
trum Data Repository to discriminate commander on how to conduct emis- opment and acquisition is key to
between “friendly” and adversarial sion control, which ultimately enhanc- identifying what technologies are
communications emitters and other es force protection and command within the realm of possibility while
unauthorized radio frequency emit- post survivability in near-peer con- refining the Soldier’s requirements as
ters, thus improving the quality of flict.” the current tactics, techniques, proce-
spectrum assignments and command According to Marshall, the capabil- dures and doctrine evolve,” Marshall
decision support. ity of widespread spectrum sensing said.
The C5ISR Center is partnering
with the Network CFT and program
executive offices (PEOs) to ensure
these maturation efforts are properly
vetted early for a viable and smooth
transition to a program of record.
EAES, RTSSA and other C5ISR
Center spectrum awareness capabili-
ties are slated to be integrated with
current and future increments of the
Electromagnetic Warfare Planning
Management Tool (EWPMT) – a ca-
pability under Project Manager War- NASA Courtesy graphic
6
How Information Advantage Activities set
the theater for multi-domain operations
Maj. Damon Knauss ing to fig-
114th Signal Battalion, 21st Signal Brigade ure out.
Each
The United States military fights primarily as a world- service is
wide expeditionary force. The Joint Force has had the evolving
good fortune to have mission partners that have provid- their
ed the ability to set a theater in a permissive environ- cyber
ment with safe sea and air ports relatively free from ene- forces
my action. Thus, our ability to project and build combat into a
power afar has not been challenged. Our enemies have service
watched, learned, and adapted and no longer will pas- specific Photo Illustration provided by Maj. Damon Knauss
sively sit back and wait. The world is interconnected model of
across multiple domains and setting the theater requires a unified capabilities approach to Information Advantage
understanding this complex system. The Joint Force Activities. This divergence of the services approaches
Planner must critically think and view problems through a needs to converge around a Joint definition to avoid
multitude of lenses to understand the complex intercon- wasteful duplication of efforts and potential service paro-
nected nature of multi-domain operations and anticipate chialism. Joint Publication 3-13 defines Cyberspace as
how an adversary may seek to exploit gaps and seams. “a global domain within the information environment con-
A Joint doctrinal definition does not exist yet for set- sisting of the interdependent network of information tech-
ting the theater, Multi-Domain Operations, and Infor- nology infrastructures and resident data, including the
mation Advantage Activities. JP 4-0, Joint Logistics, men- Internet, telecommunications networks, computer sys-
tions setting the theater in very broad terms, describing it tems, and embedded processors and controllers.” It be-
as a shaping activity in support of major combat opera- comes self-evident that the Joint Force must move away
tions, but that creates the perception that setting the the- from “cyber” and embrace Information Advantage Activi-
ater is something we only do in response to a crisis. Set- ties as the integrated capabilities approach to unifying
ting the theater is a continuous ongoing process that al- action and effort in the Information environment to sup-
lows us to understand, anticipate, and shape conditions port a Multi-Domain Operating concept. The information
to support a range of potential military operations. Multi- environment is a complex adaptive system that nests
Domain Operations and Information Advantage Activities within and across all the domains of warfare supporting a
are both novel concepts that all the services are attempt- Multi-Domain Operations construct. In contrast, cyber-
7
space refers to only a single domain. disruption, and denial of one or all of Related Capabilities (IRC) is a good
Each service is approaching Multi- the domains of warfare simultaneous- starting point for a definition. The five
Domain Operations from its own pri- ly. pillars serve as great building blocks
mary domain perspective and is not The Navy is the only branch that for a unified warfighting capability, but
viewing the problem holistically. The has a career field named Information do not provide the definitional flexibil-
Army views Multi-Domain Operations Advantage Activities. The Air Force ity required to incorporate rapid tech-
as multiple layers of standoff. The Air merged communications and network nological change where an IRC ap-
Force focus is Multi-Domain Com- warfare into a numbered Air Force for proach does. Simply, IRCs can ac-
mand and Control to create effects. Cyber Operations and added Cyber- commodate unknown future require-
The Navy and Marine Corps ap- space to their mission statement. The ments. Information Advantage Activi-
proach is Distributed Maritime Opera- Army created a relatively small ties should be defined as the integrat-
tions and Lethality. A Joint doctrinal branch called Cyber and most recent- ed employment of all IRCs using da-
definition for Multi-Domain Opera- ly merged the Functional Areas of In- ta, information, or knowledge to cre-
tions should be the synergy of land formation Operations and Electronic ate effects and operationally desira-
(subterranean), sea (subsurface), air, Warfare with it to form an Information ble conditions within the physical, in-
space, and cyberspace to create mu- Dominance Career Management formational, and cognitive dimen-
tually supporting environments to Field and is moving towards an Oper- sions of the information environment.
overwhelm an enemy by generating ate, Defend, Attack, and Influence Information Advantage Activities is
multiple problems, effects, and mass operational construct. The Marines much more than operations in cyber-
across dimensions characterized by established Marine Forces Cyber space. It requires new and creative
windows of dominance, periods of which mirrors the Navy, Air Force, ways of organizing and restructuring
and Army’s focus on Offensive and the Joint Force to blend talent and
Defensive Cyberspace Operations. A capabilities to unify action and effort.
Joint Force doctrinal definition for In- Now that we have a definition for
formation Advantage Activities must Setting the Theater, Information Ad-
converge the individual service per- vantage Activities, and Multi-Domain
spectives and offer a broad flexible Operations we can transition to a
definition to account for the future un- framework for planning how to set a
knowns of a Multi-Domain fight. theater. WAVES is an acronym that
Joint Publication 3-13, Information stands for Worldwide, Amphibious/
Operations (IO), shift from the tradi- Airborne, Virtual, EMS, and Sea-
Allied troops at Anzac Cove, Gallipoli Peninsu-
la, during the Gallipoli campaign. This activity
tional five pillars of IO (cyber opera- borne, Space, and Supply Chains.
serves as an example of poor planning and tions, psychological operations, elec- The name itself implies the im-
execution tronic warfare, operations security, portance of echeloning and under-
Historical photo provided by Maj. Damon
Knauss. and military deception) to Information standing priority and sequencing of
8
combat power and supporting logis- coordinated and synchronized to pre-
tics in an A2AD environment. It is a vent information fratricide and help
simple and effective strategic frame- inoculate the information environment
work for the Joint Planner to think from adversary disinformation while
critically about the complex intercon- simultaneously creating desired oper-
nected system that is the information ational conditions. The key to effec-
environment in Multi-Domain Opera- tive Information Advantage Activities
tions and develop a plan to set the operations is early and relevant par-
theater from an Information Ad- ticipation in the information environ-
vantage Activities perspective. Historical Example of a successful amphibious ment with the presence of mind to
The first step in the WAVES landing like D-Day helps planners today. Noth- understand that you can’t control it.
framework is to understand the area ing was left to chance, but the weather. The second step in applying the
Historical photo provided by Maj. Damon
of operations and the worldwide sys- Knauss WAVES framework is to determine if
tem of systems interconnections. we have friendly permissive air and
Specifically, IRCs relationships and should be completed to help under- sea ports (theater gateways) to allow
impact must provide an understand- stand the Macro system of systems setting the theater so Joint Recep-
ing of the systems network architec- environment. Next, a Socio-Cultural, tion, Staging, Onward Movement,
ture and the intersection of domains Technological, Economic, Ecological, and Integration (JRSOI) can occur.
exposing the gaps and seams that Political (STEEP) and Sewage, Wa- Understanding Joint Forcible Entry
can be potential Information Ad- ter, Electricity, Academics, Trash, (JFE) doctrine will be critical to set-
vantage Activities vulnerabilities. Lo- Medical, Safety, and Other (SWEAT- ting a theater in an A2AD environ-
cating critical infrastructure nodes MSO) crosswalk should occur to un- ment. There are key transitions with-
and immediately posturing capabili- derstand the Micro system of sys- in each of the five phases of JFE that
ties to protect them both physically tems especially if operating near ur- must be coordinated and synchro-
and virtually will be mission critical. ban areas or a mega-city. Under- nized to posture the information envi-
Mistakes during this phase will cost standing the complexities of the infor- ronment while simultaneously dealing
lives as vulnerabilities can exponen- mation environment’s relationships with denial of the electromagnetic
tially compound as they are exploited coupled with enduring authorities to spectrum or an entire domain like
by adversaries. conduct Information Advantage Activ- space. The Joint Force will most like-
At a minimum a Political, Military, ities operations (overt & covert) will ly not have the luxury of JRSOI in a
Economic, Social, Infrastructure, In- facilitate immediate military deception future conflict against a near-peer or
formation, Physical Environment, and operations, disrupt enemy command peer adversary. Historical study of
Time (PMESII-PT) and Areas, Struc- and control networks, and fracture an past invasions like Gallipoli, Norman-
tures, Capabilities, Organization, opponent’s leadership and resolve. dy, and Incheon will help Joint Plan-
People, Events (ASCOPE) crosswalk Mission Partner messaging must be ners avoid misplaced planning priori-
9
ties, bad assumptions, and past mis- domestic adversaries utilize anonymi- contested denied, degraded, and dis-
takes that will pay dividends in plan- ty to challenge, manipulate, and influ- rupted environment. Understanding
ning for future forcible entry in the era ence generating the ability to transi- the EMS will be crucial to allocating
of A2AD. Information Advantage Ac- tion the virtual into kinetic physical ef- multiple frequencies across bands to
tivities activities must align actions fects. Information Advantage Activi- enable future resilient self-forming
and efforts to achieve survivability, ties must anticipate the rapid change and self-healing networks. Electronic
secure command and control, sup- that the internet of things and every- attack, monitoring, spoofing, and jam-
port seamless analog to digital transi- thing will bring forth and be first to in- ming must be trained so the Joint
tions, establishment of a lodgment, tegrate, protect, and transform these Force can recognize it, report it, and
and facilitate mobility. technologies into virtual Joint Force countermeasures can be taken and
Information Advantage Activities capabilities. will further challenge network opera-
must be focused on virtual mission The power of these new technolo- tions and redundancy due to con-
assurance by seamlessly integrating gies will provide the ability to collapse straints on military spectrum alloca-
networks and new technologies time, space, and decision cycles. tion. Joint spectrum planners must
across all domains while performing Sensor networks linked by 5G and anticipate encrypted network require-
cyber security, defense, and offensive space constellations will provide digi- ments across the spectrum and en-
operations simultaneously. Mission tal early warning systems, counter sure electronic signatures are
Assurance is a process to protect or battery, and facilitate long-range pre- cloaked and a robust and resilient
ensure the continued function and re- cision fires. Networked drones
silience of capabilities and assets and robots will autonomously
critical to the performance of DoD coordinate to swarm and over-
Mission Essential Functions in any whelm defenses. Allies and
operating environment or condition. mission partners will increas-
New technologies like artificial intelli- ingly require connection to the
gence, autonomous systems, data Joint Force network. Interop-
science, robotics, 5G millimeter erability requirements present
wavelength networks, quantum, syn- compliance and equipment set
thetic biology, nanotechnology, block- challenges. Information Ad-
chain, microdrones, and deep fakes vantage Activities is the key to
will fundamentally change the char- unlocking the potential and
acter and speed of future warfare. connecting the future Multi-
Misinformation and disinformation Domain battlefield for the Joint
proliferation in the information envi- Force. An example scenario of IP address spoofing , an electronic
ronment will continue to create oper- The Electromagnetic Information Advantage Activities attack WAVES can help
prepare for/prevent.
ational conditions where foreign and Spectrum (EMS) will be a Courtesy graphic
10
distributed command and control ar- ment of equipment accounts for 90 GPS blackouts. Bandwidth will con-
chitecture must be developed to miti- percent of military cargo and will face tinue to be a finite and expensive re-
gate risk to the Joint Force. The elec- challenges in the era of A2AD. Sur- source and place constraints on op-
tronically denied environment will im- face and sub-surface challenges will erations and information as the Joint
pact command and control, sensors, focus on harassment, intimidation, Force becomes even more data de-
and signal intelligence collection, re- and attack as freedom of the seas pendent. Network traffic must be pri-
connaissance, and surveillance. Ad- and access to the global commons oritized to clear nets and avoid clog-
versaries will use the EMS to probe, will be contested. A2AD seeks to ging mission critical satellite data net-
harass, and target the Joint Force by control strategic maritime corridors works causing self-inflicted periods of
jamming radar, using directed energy with layered radars, anti-ship and anti data blackouts.
weapons, hacking personal devices, -air missiles, and hardened facilities Supply Chains will be stressed by
disrupting instrumentation, and trian- that will restrict sea lines of communi- increases to the Joint Force’s opera-
gulating on emissions to facilitate tar- cation. Our reliance on the commer- tional tempo and consumption of
geting. Electromagnetic disruption cial shipping industry as a force multi- Class I, III, and V supplies. Logistical
technologies will be critical to protect plier could be crippled by cyber- friction must be minimized by short-
the Joint Force from future drone attacks. ening lines of communication. Artifi-
swarms that will attack and attempt to Space assets will serve a major cial intelligence and block chain will
overwhelm systems with coordinated integrating function across both mili- predict, plan, track and optimize lo-
waves. tary and civilian constellations. Space gistics while additive manufacturing
The final phase of WAVES focus- will facilitate both communication and (3D printing) will help limit logistical
es on the movement of equipment, sensor/shooter networks. Anti- tails. Automated resupply will be fa-
material, and data. Seaborne move- satellite weaponry and GPS jamming/ cilitated by unmanned self-driving
spoofing presents challenges to the and flying technologies. The days of
Joint Force’s utilization of precision massive supply dumps and container
guided munitions and location ser- yard confusion will be replaced by
vices. Further, cloud network archi- precision logistics. The continued
tectures and enterprise services ena- heavy reliance on logistics civilian
bled by beyond line of sight satellite augmentation and contracted support
transport reach back links will be de- presents new risks as data/network
nied causing command and control integration and information sharing
outages. The Joint Force must train will be paramount to creating the pre-
for an operational environment with cision logistics environment adding
limited, degraded, or denied space new cyber threat and vulnerability
The use of a weaponized drone swarm serves as an enabled assets and must learn to op- vectors into the Joint Force’s net-
illustration of WAVES. erate during communications and work.
Photo by Maj. Damon Knauss
11
NETCOM implements PMP certification program
Enrique Tamez Vasquez the Army Quartermaster Corps; the Network Enterprise
NETCOM Public Affairs Technology Command (NETCOM) is taking steps to im-
plement the science of project management to insure
For decade’s corporate businesses, government or- personnel and leaders have the tools and skillsets to ap-
ganizations to include the U.S. Army have searched for proach projects according to the principles and guide-
ways to perfect, streamline and mitigate the effects of lines instituted by the Project Management Institute
scope (mission) creep. As technologies transform, con- (PMI) that govern the certification of the Project Manage-
tracting laws change and resource complexity grows, the ment Professional (PMP).
challenge of achieving project success within specified According to the Army Credentialing Opportunities On
time frames and forecasted budget allocations continues -Line (COOL) website, “the (PMP) is an advanced skill
to be elusive. level credential for professionals who lead and direct
However, like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and projects. PMPs perform their duties under general super-
vision for the duration of a project and are responsible
for all aspects of a project. PMPs lead cross-functional
teams to deliver projects within the constraints of sched-
ule, budget, and scope.”
Like all things in the Army, it often takes leadership
involvement, commitment, investment of resources and
time to make a program like the (PMP) certification a
successful one. Thus, this is exactly what NETCOM is
doing.
“Previously, the (PMP) certification program began
under the leadership Maj. Gen. John Baker, former NET-
COM Commanding General in March of
2018. Accordingly, NETCOM also setup a (PMP) boot
camp training initiative in June of 2018 to insure candi-
dates remained committed, developed a study plan,
practiced for the test and were prepared for the examina-
Knowing how to develop and manage a project from beginning to end tion phase,” said Robert K. Mayfield Deputy Director,
can be applied in all aspects of my professional career or personal life. NETCOM Command Business Office (CBO).
In addition, having this knowledge, skills, and certification adds to my
professional development as a Department of Army Civilian. Today with the continued support of the current NET-
Graphic Representation by Amanda Pearson & Sharon Shulsky COM Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Maria B. Barrett;
12
the NETCOM PMP certification pro- terms and processes that can be an organization.
gram has seen great success. As a easily understood by my peers, supe- “In addition, by applying the basic
testament to this, the program’s com- riors, subordinates and stakehold- principles and techniques of project
pletion rate far exceeds the national ers,” Billy J. Busse, NETCOM Infor- management, certified PMP individu-
average. mation Technology Services Manage- als can save an organization time
“Currently the pass rate across ment (ITSM) Division Chief, said. and resources which translates into
the country for the PMI, PMP certifi- PM certification not only benefits fiscal dollars. The ability to identify
cation is around 60 percent. In con- people’s careers, it also introduces project show stoppers through the
trast, NETCOM’s PMP training and critical thinking skills and focused use of Work Breakdown Structure
boot camp currently has an 80 per- management methodology that can (WBS) charts, the Critical Path Meth-
cent pass rate,” said Robert K. May- benefit the operational up-tempo of od (CPM) and Program Evaluation
field, NETCOM CBO Deputy Director.
The benefits of PMP certification
can be quantified on so many levels
as a Return on Investment (ROI) for
the organization, because the bene-
fits for those, who participate can be
rewarding as it can enhance their
ability to manage more complex pro-
jects, increase their chances.
“Knowing how to develop and
manage a project from beginning to
end can be applied in all aspects of
my professional career or personal
life. In addition, having this
knowledge, skills, and certification
adds to my professional development
as a Department of Army Civilian,”
said Sharon K. Shulsky, NETCOM
Strategic Communications Analyst.
“The PMP certification has aided
me on developing a holistic method- According to the Army Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL) website, “the (PMP) is an
advanced skill level credential for professionals who lead and direct projects. PMPs perform
ology to best convey project related their duties under general supervision for the duration of a project and are responsible for all
communication and collaboration lan- aspects of a project. PMPs lead cross-functional teams to deliver projects within the constraints
of schedule, budget, and scope.”
guage with a common lexicon of Graphic Representation by Mia Vasquez
13
ucation/training or CAPM® Certifica-
tion
— OR —
-A high school diploma or an associ-
ate’s degree (or global equivalent)
-60 months leading projects
-35 hours of project management
education/training or CAPM® Certifi-
cation
The NETCOM PMP certification
program is setup for success ac-
cording to the CBO deputy director.
“At NETCOM the PM certification
is based on the PMI certification
standards. The NETCOM CBO has
established training prerequisites
and a boot camp based off of these
standards and prepares the student
By applying the basic principles and techniques of project management, certified PMP individuals to pass the PMP certification test,”
can save an organization time and resources which translates into fiscal dollars. The ability to iden-
tify project show stoppers through the use of Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) charts, the Critical said Mayfield.
Path Method (CPM) and Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) approaches can assist “NETCOM’s sponsored PM Pro-
in de-bottlenecking critical paths, while allowing critical tasks to be mitigated if necessary and al- gram is a PMP boot camp based on
low them to flow unconstrained without further obstructions.
Graphic Representation by Mia Vasquez PMI construct and uses PMI certified
vendor materials; once students have
and Review Technique (PERT) ap- cation is an attainable goal for many completed the prerequisites and
proaches can assist in de- since the experience and education completed the boot camp, (taught by
bottlenecking critical paths, while al- perquisites are objectives that both NETCOM PMI Certified Project Man-
lowing critical tasks to be mitigated if military personnel and DA civilians agement Professionals), they will
necessary and allow them to flow un- might already possess. have the tools necessary to take and
constrained without further obstruc- According to the Army COOL web- pass the PMI PMP certification test,”
tions,” added Dr. Ronald Richards, site, PMP Certification requirements Mayfield said.
NETCOM, CBO Director. entail: However, before a NETCOM PMP
Although considered a time con- -A four-year degree candidate can enroll in the CBO
suming endeavor, requiring commit- -36 months leading projects sponsored boot camp they must
ment and dedication the PMP certifi- -35 hours of project management ed- complete a couple of additional steps
14
which include a 35-hour Skillsoft the Gold standard in PM and is a alyst is also a contributing editor for
course on the Project Management world recognized certification,” said this article.
Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) 6th Mayfield. “As of December 2020 the
edition. In addition, Students must NETCOM CBO Team has sponsored
also complete the application and 4 boot camps attended by both mili-
membership process via the PMI por- tary service members and Depart-
tal. ment of the Army (DA) civilians from
In addition, Students must also all areas of NETCOM to include per-
complete a comprehensive reading sonnel assigned to our subordinate
assignment from the provided PMI commands as well as others outside
certified study material. Once com- of our organization such as the Pro-
pleted the student is given a space in gram Executive Office (PEO), Re-
the PMP boot camp. gional Cyber Centers (RCC)’s, and
“NETCOM’s sponsored PM Pro- others.”
gram is a PMP boot camp based on Having personnel with PM skills
the PMI construct and uses PMI certi- helps NETCOM streamline opera-
fied vendor materials; once students tions and processes.
have completed the prerequisites and “On a collective and strategic lev-
completed the boot camp (taught by el, having personnel with PM skill
NETCOM PMI Certified Project Man- sets help avoid and mitigate project
agement Professionals), they will show stoppers and mission creep
have the tools necessary to take and within the contracting, procurement
pass the PMI PMP certification test,” and project execution processes
Mayfield said. making PM certification a win-win
Likewise, the boot camp is also outcome for stakeholders, mission
designed with a holistic approach to partners and NETCOM,” Richards
ensure all organizations and subordi- said. “Likewise, good PM discipline
nate commands within NETCOM can can improve resource utilization, im-
benefit from the PM program. prove the validation of requirements
NETCOM’s sponsored PM Program is a PMP
“PMP certification and NETCOM identification, increase contract effi- boot camp based on the PMI construct and uses
is not aimed at any particular Direc- ciencies and provide leadership with PMI certified vendor materials; once students
torate or skill set, the PMP Certifica- the information they need for real- have completed the prerequisites and completed
the boot camp (taught by NETCOM PMI Certified
tion allows for individuals to obtain time decision-making.” Project Management Professionals), they will
the skills necessary to successfully Editor’s Note: Sharon Shulsky, NET- have the tools necessary to take and pass the
manage projects. PMP certification is COM, Strategic Communications An- PMI PMP certification test.
Graphic Representation by Amanda Pearson
15
KFOR conducts radio tower maintenance
Zachary Zippe
Army News Service

U.S. Soldiers assigned to Regional

Command-East, Kosovo Force 28,
and radio systems contractors con-
ducted routine radio tower mainte-
nance visits in Kosovo.
Sgt. 1st Class Rod Widows, a sig-
nal support systems specialist with
the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat
Team, Oregon Army National
Guard, said there are eight to ten
towers they have to maintain once
a month throughout each KFOR ro-
tation. The inspection routes are al-
tered during winter months because
certain towers can be more difficult
to access, but all of the towers are
still maintained all year.
Widows acted as a contractor ob-
server to ensure the checks went
smoothly. He is in charge of making
sure the towers are inspected
properly to remain operational.
There are certain requirements that
have to be met with each inspec-
tion.
“We check the [uninterrupted power Chief Warrant Officer 2 John Finken, a contracting officer representative with Regional Command-
supply], how many times the sys- East, Kosovo Force, inspects contractors performing maintenance during a radio systems inspec-
tem has been up or down, and then tion at Mount Golesh in Kosovo on Jan. 28, 2021. During the inspection, the contractors check volt-
age on batteries, test transmitting power and perform other maintenance checks to ensure radio
the radio functionality at each loca- communication can be maintained.
Photo by Sgt. Jonathan Perdelwitz
16
tion,” said Widows. “Each
location is a relay tower site
so that we can talk on mo-
bile radios throughout the
country.”
Land mobile radios are
more reliable than cell-
phones because they are
secured with encryption
and have better connectivi-
A contractor working for Kosovo Force conducts ty. Radio towers can send
maintenance on radio towers during a radio sys- further and stronger sig-
tems inspection at Mount Golesh in Kosovo. The
communication towers provide long distance, en- nals across Kosovo,
crypted radio communication. During the inspec- whereas cell towers can-
tion, the contractors check voltage on batteries,
test transmitting power and perform other mainte- not. Therefore, the land
nance checks to ensure radio communication can mobile radios allow KFOR
be maintained. to operate over more ex-
Photo by Staff Sgt. Tawny Schmit)
pansive areas.
It is important for Soldiers to familiarize themselves with their
equipment and know how it works. Professionals with DynCorp
provide technical maintenance and support for KFOR.
The radio maintenance team operates out of Camp Bondsteel.
Mike Cassel, the lead technician for land mobile radio mainte-
nance and support department of DynCorp, has over 20 years of
experience. At each tower location, some of the checks he helps
conduct include running software diagnostics, testing the radio
transmitting power and checking battery voltage.
When Cassel isn’t inspecting towers, he’s helping troubleshoot ra-
dios and passing his extensive working knowledge on to U.S. Sol-
diers.
Cassel’s office is open to Soldiers as a technical resource. He
Chief Warrant Officer 2 John Finken talks to contractors per-
forming maintenance during a radio systems inspection at solves their radio problems while teaching them how to fix the is-
Mount Golesh in Kosovo. Regular maintenance of radio tow- sues themselves. Hands-on learning and demonstrations help the
ers makes sure KFOR assets can always maintain communi-
cation in the field.
Soldiers become more familiar with their equipment and prevent
Photo by Staff Sgt. Tawny Schmit future break downs.
17
Testimonials to the value
of the Signal Corps
Steven J. Rauch capability to
Signal Corps Branch Historian their opera-
tions. He
During its 160 year history, the Signal Corps often used these
found itself in a position where it was doubtful if it would testimonials
continue to exist as an organization. This was usually to justify a
due to budget decisions after major conflicts when vari- permanent
ous interests within the army competed for scarce mon- Signal Corps
ey and personnel. One of the most effective individuals force struc-
in these budget battles was ture, rather
none other than Albert J. Myer, than the
the father of the Signal Corps. branch detail
His uncanny ability to influence, system of
persuade, demonstrate, and manning that
prove why the army needed a had occurred
permanent Signal Corps was from 1860-
tested many times following the 1863. For ex- Ambrose E. Burnside
Civil War. But it was during the ample on Signal History Office Collection
Civil War, at the height of the May 2, 1862
conflict, that he employed a Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside wrote about the value of
strategy where the most effec- the Signal Corps in joint operations:
tive arguments in favor of a hav- “I cheerfully bear testimony to the invaluable
ing Signal Corps were made by aid they have been to me in this expedition,
others, instead of the Chief Sig- and do not hesitate to recommend the introduc-
nal Officer. tion of a general system of field signals
Myer’s strategy was to obtain throughout the Army. I will add at Roanoke,
personal endorsements from New Berne, and during the siege of Fort Ma-
Albert J. Meyer senior combat leaders regard- con, by placing the signal officers on the boats
Signal History Office Collection ing the effectiveness of signal and at different points on shore, I was enabled
18
to keep up a constant communication with the Navy.”
Another endorsement from Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan on Oct. 15, 1862
to the adjutant-general of the US Army stated:
“The Signal Corps under Maj. Myer rendered, during the operations at An-
tietam, as well as South Mountain, and during the whole movements of the
army, efficient and valuable service. Indeed, by the services here, as on
other fields elsewhere, this Corps has gallantly earned its title to an inde-
pendent and permanent organization.”
Brig. Gen. John Buford in a letter on Nov. 20, 1863 said:
“I have taken occasion to notice the practical working of the Signal Corps,
US Army, in the field, and regard it as a valuable auxiliary to an Army. With
the aid of their powerful glasses, acting both as scouts and observers, the
Above: George B. McClellan
Below from left: John Buford, George A, officers who have acted with me have rendered invaluable service when no
Custer other means could have availed. I regard their permanent organization as a
Signal History Office Collection matter of the first importance.”
Support was also obtained from Brig. Gen. George A. Custer who command-
ed the 3rd Cavalry Division and wrote on Dec. 3, 1863:
“Since I have become acquainted with
the Signal Corps of this army, the infor-
mation of the enemy obtained through its
officers, and the rapid manner they have
of transmitting intelligence by flag sig-
nals, has convinced me of the great val-
ue of this branch of the service during
military operations in the field. An army
can have no better outpost, from which
to watch the movements of an enemy,
than a signal station; and with a prac-
ticed signal officer at such a position, no
force can move without being detected. I
would therefore, strongly recommend
that a complete and permanent organi-
zation be given to the Corps.”
An original letter in the Signal Corps his-
torical collection from Maj. Gen. George
19
Thomas stated on Dec. 11, 1863:
“Learning from you [Myer] that complaints have been made that the Sig-
nal Corps has not proved as serviceable as there was reason to hope it
would, I cheerfully comply with your request to express my opinion of its
usefulness….During the Battle of Stones River the officers of the corps
with me were very efficient in conveying the messages by flag. After the
battle and whilst the Army was encamped near Murfreesboro an oppor-
tunity was offered for thoroughly testing the usefulness of the system
and resulted in the conclusion that a Signal Corps was one of the essen-
tial organizations of a well-appointed army….Since our arrival here the
value of the system has time and again been more closely demonstrated
by the great amount of information of the movements of the enemy ob-
tained and transmitted to Headquarters by its aid—which could not have
been obtained by any other means in time to have been of use.”
Finally, to cap off his list of all-star supporters, he even managed to squeeze
some positive remarks from the often less than positive Maj. Gen. William T. Sher-
man in an Oct. 27, 1864 letter to Secretary of War that stated:
“In several instances this Corps has transmitted orders and brought me
information of the greatest importance that could not have reached me
Above: George Thomas
any other way. When the enemy had cut our wires and actually made a Below: William T. Sherman
lodgment on our railroad…the Signal Officer’s on Vining’s Hill, Kenne- Signal History Office Collection
saw, and Allatoona, sent my orders to Gen. Corse at Rome, whereby
Gen. Corse was enabled to reach Allatoona just in time to defend it.
Had it not been for the services of this Corps on that occasion, . . . I am
therefore willing to bear my testimony to the great utility of this Corps, as
well as the marked zeal with which has always characterized their per-
sonal behavior. During this campaign several of their officers have lost
their lives in the front rank.”
These endorsements from commanders who benefited from signal capabilities
to enable command and control were effective in influencing decision makers,
bean-counters, and others who had become deaf to Myer’s pleas over the years.
One expects members of the Signal Corps to believe they are vital for the army to
function on a daily basis. However as Albert J. Myer learned it was much more ef-
fective to get other key leaders to support, endorse and justify why money and
personnel should be dedicated for the Signal Corps.
20
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