The Future of Work ... in Warfare ...

There have been many papers on the future of military conflict and what these capabilities might look like. We have also seen these evolve over the last couple of decades and witnessed new types emerge with the development of hybrid and integrated warfare. Technology continues to be a driving force behind this future (whether in terms of equipment, assets or skillsets) but I have yet to see any potential papers that explore the types of roles we may see future military specialists becoming. As a #futureofwork geek and ex-Reservist, I wanted to explore this more myself ...

Before looking at a handful of potential roles, we need to consider some of the current and ongoing themes that help explain why they might come about. So here are a few of the many to consider that are relevant:

Rationalisation - The brigade (and not the division) is now the main task ready and deployable asset. In time, with the ongoing use of technology to replace, enhance or augment human forces, the battalion or the composite company could become the key deployable formation. This has already started to happen with some battlegroups being deployed as reinforced battalions or even companies with specialist attached staff to support operations. This focuses skills and capabilities in smaller numbers of personnel.

Source: TechGenez

Tactical Units Changes - As an evolution of the above theme, militaries are experimenting with smaller scale units (such as the 12-man teams recently and successfully tested by the UK's Royal Marines) and these may evolve into new section level tactics based on teams of 4-6 personnel rather than the traditional 8-10 soldiers due to the increase in firepower and team level technologies. Reduced personnel numbers will again focus skillset needs.

Technology - is a massive contributing factor, but whilst it might replace soldiers in some frontline roles, there be a need for qualified control and technical staff to manage these assets on and off the battlefield. This means that whilst frontline soldiers may reduce, there will still be a need for people to assemble, programme, maintain and deploy the tech assets to the frontline. This may rebalance skills needs and where they are based. Some may even be replaced by more civilian contractors or specialists.

Generalist vs. Specialist - the military has always used specialist trades, units, corps and branches to deliver unique capabilities, but the changing threat and environment puts a focus on multi-skilling within a generic capability. This means we may see the increase in certain job families (analyst, advisor, technician, assembler etc.) to help provide a baseline for training prior to potential specialisation. Soldier first, trade second would still be relevant but it might be soldier, skills group and then specialisation or even a shared capability across branches in a joint capacity.

Integration of Capability - whilst we will still need specialisations, how they integrate across one another and augment rather than duplicate or conflict will be key. As you will note in the role examples below, they can be blended across some branches.

Current specialists becoming standard starting points - with the application of technology and the expectation of more from personnel, this could lead to a greater focus on higher value roles. Swarm technologies may replace the need for drone operators, watchkeepers or observers may become a standard role monitoring operations in real time and this then leads to a potential step up in terms of roles going forward.

So, taking into account the above points, her are a few roles we may see develop over the next few years ...

LEO Specialist - The LEO specialist would look at "Legal & Ethical Operations." They would advise formation and operation leadership on key aspects that may provide support to proposed and active operations. They would advise on the"legal lens of operations," advise on relevant ethics and how these may support or hinder operations, as well as advise on lawfare operations that might be used as part of the wider conflict capability to prosecute, protect and potentially avoid conflict. This role would likely work in the military, NGO and government agency space to ensure an integrated approach to operations.

Human Factors Specialist - This could be a role that puts the human at the centre of operations. They could be deployed to provide the spectrum of HR services (from pay to performance development) as a baseline to units and commands, but they would also then provide cultural analysis, psychological operations, CIMIC and even education support to operations in the field. They would start as generalists but then specialise over time.

Source: DroneLife/Superstock

Swarm Specialist - The drone operator or controller could evolve into a swarm specialist. They would coordinate swarms of military drones (even micro-drones) on operations, providing analysis and advice to operational command on the use and deployment of such resources. They would programme, re-deploy and assess drone options to support operations, whilst also studying tactics used by adversaries (whether state or non-state actors). This role could then evolve later from micro to nano-warfare operations.

Source: Rheinmetall

Combat Interface Controller - The potential use of XR (combining augmented and virtual reality) in the visors, monocles or other visual devices used by soldiers in the field will need support from an evolved type of battlespace analyst who would ensure the right data overlays and sources were available to soldiers deployed on operations. They would provide updates, uplinks and ensure real time data traffic is managed effectively to support those on the ground who need it.

Source: The Guardian

Assembler/Tech - With the growing use of technology being used to compliment and potentially replace humans on the future battlefield, there will be an equal need for the human technician skills to assemble, programme and maintain key pieces of technology - whether drones, robots or any other autonomous vehicles. They would be responsible for updating, upgrading, repairing and field testing technologies to ensure they are combat ready to support operations. They could deploy as individuals or as teams.

Mobilisation & Resilience Specialist - Operations are about readying, combining and deploying different elements to support operations. These might be short term interventions, modular operations or more protracted long term deployments. Mobilisation & Resilience specialists would support the mobilisation and movement of military assets, personnel and materials to theatre or even the support of humanitarian or other NGO type tasks. This would not only be about traditional logistics, but human, technical and joint assets too. They would also run scenario planning exercises and develop responses to potential operational requirements on an ongoing basis.

So, these are a few examples that could be based on what we see happening now. Most of these roles are not something new per se, they are en evolution of current capabilities alongside recent and future developments. Please feel free to let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

#futureofwork #armedforces #futureready