The Raven Report: 15 MAR 23
Improving Communications and Your Life Blueprint
Improving Communications
-1LT Jens Clark, 3-161
Radio, antenna, hand mic, batteries, encryption device, encryption key(s), vehicle mount, amplifier, W2 and W4 cables, antenna cable, and a communications card (with approved frequencies). That list covers the minimum equipment required to have a functional SINCGARS radio ready in a vehicle. Reach into your pocket, and you likely have a device slightly larger than a wallet that achieves the same general outcome and then some, with significantly less overhead. I am going to offer a way, with reasoning, to relinquish this habit.
Most readers understand a PACE plan- having multiple options for communication in case of outages. The list I provided in the previous paragraph only covers 25% of a PACE. Joint Battle Command Platforms (JBC-P) and Joint Capabilities Releases (JCRs) have their challenges. Our beyond-the-line-of-sight (BLOS) solutions also carry a complexity that many Signal Soldiers do not fully understand. I am saying this because I understand that communicating using Army equipment carries many challenges. Employing them as part of an already complex job that many are not used to executing creates frustrations that cause many to take the easy way out and use more common communication methods.
However, this is not a solution.
Cell phones require massive infrastructure to operate. For the readers understanding: a signal transmits as radio waves from the caller’s phone to the nearest cell tower. The signal is then transmitted to a switching center that determines the fastest path for the signal, which then forwards the signal to the nearest cell site to the receiver and the recipient. Remember, this requires an unbroken chain of sites and quality radio coverage for each user. This infrastructure will certainly be targeted, degraded, compromised, and/ or destroyed during the conflict. Moreover, we have little to no control over who is watching or listening to calls being made over these networks, which creates inherent operational risk.
We must seek to build self-reliance and competency within our formations to ensure that we can communicate securely while conducting operations. Leaders must ensure that their Soldiers can operate these systems in a pinch through directed training. BN S6s should draw COMSEC and request frequencies/ satellite air time regularly, though staff/ companies/ platoons/ squads/ teams must make specific requests 60+ days out to ensure adequate approval time. I recognize this is a challenge within the M-Day structure, which is all the more reason why planning must be deliberate and adhered to. All components of the systems each unit employs must be maintained and available to train on. Keeping a neat cage of equipment will help this. Always start with a simple training plan and build complexity as the formation improves- this will minimize external distractors and enable Soldiers to focus on employing the systems. Having a Soldier set up a radio in a classroom for the first time is much less pressure than moments before having to go hot at a range. Competent Soldiers= Confident Soldiers.
I will share one example way of planning training. Since a PACE plan covers four systems, and we often plan by quarters, exercising one PACE component per quarter seems reasonable. Starting on a well-known system first, like the SINCGARS, will build confidence early on, so start there. Ensure components are present via layouts and order shortages. Start with Single Channel/ Plain Text and ensure everyone can do that. Move on to Simple Key Loader (SKL) operations and loading encryption. Take out DAGRs and ensure Zulu time is accurate. Mount in vehicles and transmit over PA for additional range. Set up antennas (OE-254, COM-201) and demonstrate their purpose. Don’t know how to do any of this? Great. Leverage the company 25U or a savvy RTO to teach these classes. Call your S6 for recommendations. Reach out on MS Teams to different Teams who have SMEs available. There is always a way.
While commanders will always have to battle priorities, time, and resources, xCTC will be upon us shortly. Units able to communicate effectively in the field will inevitably minimize frustration from up and down and lessen the Fog of War. Reduce the use of cell phones. Make your S6 work. Our Soldiers deserve the best training we can give.
Our lives depend on it.
Your Life Blueprint
-CH(MAJ) Andrew Paulson
Back in February, we celebrated Black History Month. We dedicate this time to recognizing the struggles and bringing to light the history and stories of African Americans that are often left out of our classrooms, honor influential black leaders, and appreciate the many contributions that our black brothers and sisters have made in our nation’s history, culture, and society.
One Friday, the students and staff at the high school where I work organized and held an assembly in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Black History Month. Three students sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” which was beautiful and moving. A few students read the speech “What is Your Life’s Blueprint?” and highlighted some of their reflections on that speech, and then teachers and students went back to their classrooms to watch the video and go through some further reflection questions regarding the idea of a life’s blueprint and discuss what excellence looks like to them.
I was really moved by the speech and couldn’t help but note all the ways the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech had been shaped by his biblical theology as well as his own personal experiences, convictions, and dreams.
Dr. King offered three critical points to which to add to our life’s blueprint:
A deep belief in your own dignity, your worth, and your own somebodies.
The basic principle of excellence in all of our fields of endeavors.
Have a commitment to the eternal principles of beauty, love, and justice.
I encourage you to consider these questions and where you look for the answers. As you consider the vision you have for your life, also consider what truths you hold to that provide a basis for your beliefs. I hope that this encouragement from the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and these Scriptures will help you think deeply about your life’s blueprint.
Book of the Week
R.D. Hooker’s anthology of maneuver warfare thought should be on every officer’s shelf.
From the back:
“Whether a cure-all or an empty bag of tricks, maneuver warfare theory presents a formidable challenge to the American defense establishment. The synthesis of ideas presented in this volume will be critically important in shaping the post-Cold War world. Everyone in the military or interested in national defense should read these thoughtful and controversial essays.
In Your Ears
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Excellent pieces by our young leaders. I encourage you all to share and contribute to this forum. Great opportunity to grow and learn in a decentralized environment.