Command and Control

Evolution of C2 systems, moving towards data integration for greater efficiency. Challenges in military system integration, AI development, and quality database importance. Complexity of C2 systems in multi-domain environments and US Marine Corps' efforts to enhance C2 systems.

Vice Admiral Martin Connell discusses unique aspects of naval C2, emphasizing cooperation over authoritarianism in command structures. The importance of data utilization and interoperability in multinational naval operations within NATO is highlighted, along with the challenges of achieving unity in joint military operations.

Explore the evolving traits that define effective military leaders beyond the myth of a 'born leader.' Discover the concept of making the 'least worst decision' under stress, and how unique military contexts shape decision-making processes. Delve into the contrasting demands of leadership in wartime versus peacetime, highlighting the value of collaboration. Learn about dual agency theory and the impact of cultural dynamics on leadership. Finally, uncover practical strategies to enhance decision-making skills across all military ranks.

Many medium powers have been struggling to keep pace with the US military as it reimagines how it will undertake command and control over the coming decade. For those in Canada the challenge is extremely pertinent: shared coastlines, integrated C2 at NORAD, conjoined airspace and territorial seas, a long and unfenced land border, and the block between the US homeland and Russian forces in the Arctic. Canada also faces pressing concerns in trying to balance resources between the challenges being faced to their West as well as to their East and North. Deputy Commander of the Canadian Joint Operations Command, Major General Darcy Molstad talks to Peter about the various challenges, tensions and frictions, and how Canada has been adapting. Underneath all of the strategic discussion lies an enduring truth about what commanders face in the future, and what will be required of them: delegation to the point of discomfort.

Former chief of the Swedish Army, Major General Karl Engelbrekston, discusses commanding in extreme Arctic conditions, emphasizing delegation, trust, and empowerment. The podcast explores challenges faced in -42 degrees, complexities of international collaboration, and the importance of strategic leadership in military operations.

Having an intelligent conversation about command and control requires a discussion with the USMC, the same institution that gave us the current C2 taxonomy back in the 1980s. While USMC force design 2030 leans towards a decentralised command structure and an aggregated control hierarchy, the pragmatism of the Corps has nested capabilities at lower levels that would allow a much more flexible approach to C2. In contrast to other forces which retain very structured C2 architectures, the USMC seems to be comfortable with a degree of ambiguity that would make others tremble. Peter talks to Colonel Lester (Ray) Gerber from USMC Pacific Forces Command about the philosophy of C2 in the Corps, about the nature of control now and in the future, and about the centrality of the human component. Much of the latter part of the discussion is focused on partners and allies: should we be ready for less command and more co-operation in a revised C2 dynamic fit for the fight tonight? Much to ponder on here.

Command and control in the air domain has always been very different to that of other domains. Much more control, command execute in differnt ways, at different levels, and all captured in the phrase "Best picture has....". How much has been forgotten from former expereinces of air C2 in major contests and competiton? How much are we willing to relearn? How much of the differences in domain specific C2 will be lost as we amalgamate and integrate structures towards a beautifully informed single commander or system, a la Enders Game? Peter talks to former senior RAF officer, Paul Kendall about our understanding of air power in the Western, Supremacy and Superiority, and a contested electronic environment without the freedoms that have been hallmarks of Western military operations since the 1990s. 

Having spent the week at the NATO C2 Centre of Excellence in The Hague, talking C2 with some impressive people, this episode captures a ‘hot wash’ between Peter and Colonel Mietta Groeneveld, Director and Commander of the C2COE. Given this was recorded only 90mins after a fairly intense 3 days, we don’t cover all the take aways, but it gives a flavour about some of the themes we talked about and some of Mietta's thoughts too.

Ralph Lopez, a former US Army colonel and deputy director at Carnegie Mellon, shares insights on the evolving landscape of military command systems. He discusses the pressing need for the U.S. to adapt its Command and Control (C2) systems in light of competition from China. Lopez explains the dynamic shift of the JADC2 program towards enhancing rapid military operations. He also reveals challenges like the fragility of internet connectivity in military contexts and highlights innovative solutions ensuring communication resilience.

In this final episode of series one, Vice Admiral Andy Burns, Major General Zac Stenning and Andrew Graham answered questions from the audience on command and control live at the DSEi event in London. The panel couldn’t get through all the challenges thrown their way so we focused on the big themes: What will C2 look like in the future? How will ML and AI impact decision-making? Will C2 survive in its current form? What does the role of the commander look like in the future? And do we train and educate our future commanders well enough? Lots to digest before we start recording series two…