GovCon Chamber’s Post

🚨 The shot heard around the world is considered the spark of the American Revolutionary War. Could the tweet or post that went viral be the #socialmedia spark of the next conflict? As United States Department of Defense (DoD) invest in kinetic effects like hypersonics, the investments in non-kinetic effects like Information Operations and #cybersecurity are needed as we see more and more the power of influential voice, video, and #data on current and future conflicts. The saying “we own the night” may be replaced especially in ever-changing #geopolitics environment with the ability “to modify a foreign government, organization, group, or individual's observation and interpretation of their environment to influence their behavior.” This past week, DoD publicly released its “2023 Department of Defense Strategy for Operations in the Information Environment (SOIE).” The strategy addresses the blend of the national powers of Informational and Military of the DIME (Diplomatic, Information, Military and Economic) and the need of U.S. Department of State partnership. The scope of the #strategy focuses on “policy, planning, resource management, operational considerations, personnel, #technology development, and risk management to address identified gaps and ensure DoD possesses the appropriate capabilities and capacities necessary to deliver globally integrated and effective informational power and physical power to achieve DoD objectives.” DoD plans to integrate and synchronize this strategy across four (4) lines of efforts (LOEs): “1. People & Organizations, 2. Programs, 3. Policies & Governance, 4. Partnerships.” As you read the LOEs, the power of partnerships especially in a region or area of responsivity (AOR) like U.S. Indo-Pacific Command: “38 nations comprising the Asia-Pacific region are home to more than 50% of the world's population, 3,000 different languages, several of the world's largest militaries, and five nations allied with the U.S. through mutual defense treaties" ( https://lnkd.in/eXRMc8bd ). This AOR truly shows the strategy of partnership with the “integration of our partners into our military and our military into theirs" will enable the DoD to "understand the diverse information environment that meld together across the areas of responsibilities around the globe.” The DoD SOIE continues to align efforts across the Information Environment (IE) as the world continues to evolve “both technologically and socially at an ever-accelerating pace." Susan LeVine emphasized this view in the National Defense University JFQ 100 (https://lnkd.in/euAzFzaG) - on a battlefield "cell phones livestream the scene across social media provide a true dilemma for the joint force" and commanders "could choose to win the engagement with lethal force, but then quickly lose the war in information space."

DOD Announces Release of 2023 Strategy for Operations in the Information Environment November 17, 2023, U.S. Department of Defense https://lnkd.in/e2cuJrJk Today, the Department of Defense released the 2023 Department of Defense Strategy for Operations in the Information Environment (SOIE).  The 2023 DOD SOIE will improve the Department's ability to plan, resource, and apply informational power toward integrated deterrence, campaigning, and building enduring advantage as described in the 2022 National Defense Strategy. This will enable the DOD to deter challenges to U.S. vital national interests in any arena or domain. Defense Strategy for Operations in the Information Environment (SOIE):https://lnkd.in/eq4mW3zw “The 2023 DoD SOIE focus is on increasing and balancing the institutional and operational synergy among military information support operations, civil affairs (CA), public affairs (PA), joint electromagnetic spectrum operations (JEMSO), cyberspace operations, space operations, special technical operations (STO), defense deception activities (DDA), operations security (OPSEC), new and emerging information activities, and other disciplines and the informational aspects of physical power.” “DoD integration of PA is a key component of OIE across the competition continuum.”

United States Department of Defense's NDIS offers a strategic vision focusing on a modern, defense industrial ecosystem through four (4) key priorities: 👉 Resilient Supply Chains 👉 Workforce Readiness 👉 Flexible Acquisition 👉 Economic Deterrence There is so much to unpack in here that I encourage to you to take an hour or two and read it. I'll share out more focused pieces as we go through 2024, but didn't want to hold back sharing. ----------------------------- 🔥 Join 11,957 others and subscribe to our GovCon newsletter | https://lnkd.in/es6qfwgk 👀 Follow me (Neil McDonnell) on LinkedIn and hit the 🔔 on my profile to see more government contracting content like 25,552 other people do. If you're a small business government contractor, HUBZone, SDVOSB, 8(a), or WOSB, don't forget to build a relationship with your local SBDC and APEX Accelerator counselor for support.

On 17 November 2023, the Department of Defense released the "2023 Department of Defense Strategy for Operations in the Information Environment (SOIE)." The 2023 DOD SOIE will improve the Department's ability to plan, resource, and apply informational power toward integrated deterrence, campaigning, and building enduring advantage as described in the 2022 National Defense Strategy. Read more below. https://lnkd.in/eSMXmsDR.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱: 𝗔𝗶𝗿 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 In a groundbreaking move, the United States Air Force is poised to initiate two significant programs without the prerequisite of seeking prior approval from Congress. This decision marks a pivotal shift in the traditional budgetary landscape, showcasing the Air Force's adaptability and responsiveness to emerging challenges. Utilizing a newfound authority bestowed upon them by lawmakers in the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the Air Force is exercising its autonomy to swiftly address critical needs. This strategic maneuver not only streamlines bureaucratic processes but also underscores a proactive approach to modernizing and strengthening our nation's defense capabilities. By bypassing the conventional route of seeking Congressional approval, the Air Force can expedite the implementation of vital programs, ensuring timely responses to evolving threats and opportunities. This newfound agility enables the service to harness innovation, allocate resources efficiently, and stay ahead in an increasingly dynamic global landscape. While this unconventional approach may raise eyebrows, it reflects a broader trend towards empowering military branches with greater autonomy and flexibility in decision-making. As the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve rapidly, such initiatives are imperative to ensure our armed forces remain agile, adaptive, and well-equipped to safeguard national interests effectively. The Air Force's bold step to launch programs without prior Congressional approval signifies a paradigm shift in budgetary governance, demonstrating a commitment to proactive defense strategies and leveraging legislative support to promote national security. As the service continues to navigate complex challenges, this innovative approach sets a precedent for agile and responsive military operations in the 21st century. PHOTO BY U.S. MARINE CORPS / LANCE CPL. RICHARD PEREZ GARCIA

Speaking strictly as a Public Affairs Specialist, the Strategy for Operations in the Information Environment (SOIE) solidifies that Public Affairs and Information Operations should fall under one umbrella. One of the core competencies of PA is engaging in global deterrence and influence; so it only seems appropriate to have a chair at the “information force” table – joined by the likes of psychological operations, civil affairs, joint electromagnetic spectrum operations, cyberspace and space. Simply put, the SOIE calls for the “integration of informational and physical power” in order to “build enduring advantages as described in the 2022 National Defense Strategy.” That aforementioned union, the document goes on to state, should be the strategic norm moving forward. Again, strictly speaking as a PA type, this is a big deal. Information – communicating with a plan to be more precise – really is power. #InformationOperations #PublicAffairs

Have you heard of the Defense Innovation Board (DIB)? Just had a very cool conversation about the DIB and a couple of other AWESOME programs. “The mission of the Defense Innovation Board is to provide the Secretary of Defense, Deputy Secretary of Defense, and other senior leaders across the Department with independent advice and recommendations on innovative means to address future challenges through the prism of three focus areas: people and culture, technology and capabilities, and practices and operations.” #defenseinnovation Check it out ⬇️

How can government contractors get ready for the military’s urgent needs? Senior analysts Luis Avila and Stephanie Smith break it down in the Fall 2023 edition of the Real Industry Outlook.

How can government contractors get ready for the military’s urgent needs? Senior analysts Luis Avila and Stephanie Smith break it down in the Fall 2023 edition of the Real Industry Outlook.

🤝It takes a team to do what we do at AFMC effectively, and small business plays a BIG role. The AFMC Small Business team hosted a collider to help educate small business partners on the United States Air Force Reoptimization and how strategies to ensure competitiveness in the Great Power Competition would affect the ways we do business into the future. #USAF #defense #smallbusiness #DAFGPC