The proposal for the creation of a U.S. Cyber Force as a separate military branch has faced significant changes in the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal 2025. Initially, the House and Senate had called for a comprehensive, independent study to evaluate the feasibility of establishing a Cyber Force as the seventh branch of the U.S. military. However, the final compromise language, released recently, removes much of the original proposal, including the requirement for an external analysis by the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine focused solely on the creation of a new military service.
Instead, the revised legislation now calls for an evaluation of alternative organizational models for the cyber forces within the Armed Forces, diluting the original intent of studying the creation of a dedicated cyber branch. While the study is still required to assess the viability of a Cyber Force, it is no longer the primary goal. The changes were a result of objections from both the Pentagon and U.S. Cyber Command, which had opposed the notion of creating an independent service. Air Force General Timothy Haugh, who heads both U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency, argued that efforts to enhance digital warfare capabilities are already underway within the current military structure.
The NDAA’s watered-down language significantly reduces the urgency of creating a Cyber Force and pushes the discussion down the legislative agenda. One of the most notable changes is the removal of a firm due date for the study, which means that the evaluation will likely not be prioritized by the Department of Defense (DOD). Given the already high volume of reports and studies the DOD is tasked with, the lack of a clear timeline means that any decision regarding the creation of a Cyber Force could be delayed further.
While proponents of a standalone Cyber Force might be disappointed by the changes, the final NDAA language provides a clear victory for the Pentagon, which had opposed the creation of a new military branch. Despite this setback, the debate over the future of U.S. digital warfare is likely to continue, especially with growing concerns over cyber threats from global adversaries like Russia and China. The final decision on the creation of a Cyber Force may now rest in the hands of future leadership, including potential lobbying efforts once President-elect Donald Trump assumes office.
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