Sir/Ma'am, EW isnt Magic! How to educate your Commander on Electronic Warfare

As the staff or command Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO), educating your military commander on the importance of electronic warfare is crucial, as he/she could be neglecting a powerful tool in the command's toolkit. Electronic warfare (EW) encompasses a wide range of activities designed to control the electromagnetic spectrum and exploit it for military advantage. In today's contested spectrum, EW gives commanders the non-lethal sensing, targeting, and engagement capabilities to counter the near-peer threats. As most land force commanders were sharpened during the COIN wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, they likely aren't used to employing EW on a large scale...or they are so risk adverse that they don't even want to attempt to use it. For them, EW might seem like magic...and as the Command EWO, its your job to de-mystify the spectrum and enable the command to confidently use it across all lines of operations.

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you make a compelling case:

1. Start with the Basics: Begin by providing a brief overview of what electronic warfare is, but tailored to the operational environment. Explain that it encompasses three main components: Electronic Attack (EA), Electronic Protection (EP), and Electronic Support (ES). Be sure list all the EW assets under their purview or those that can be used from supporting forces (including allies).
2. The Evolving Battlefield: Emphasize how the nature of warfare has changed over time. Today's battlefield is highly dependent on technology, and nearly every aspect of military operations relies on the spectrum. This includes communication, navigation, targeting, and more. Highlight how in Europe and Asia, the civilian spectrum also adds another dimension to the mix, as it isn't just red vs blue. Tons of examples from Ukraine.
3. Vulnerabilities and Threats: Describe the vulnerabilities that modern military systems face due to their reliance on electronics and spectrum. Electronic systems can be disrupted, jammed, or exploited by adversaries. Highlight RF enabled cyber threats. Use real-world examples of how EW has impacted recent conflicts or exercises, as case studies. Bring an EW OPFOR unit to your next training exercise and expose poor EMCON practices, not in malice, but as a way to show the commander how easy it is to track military signals, and the encryption doesn't mean a signal cant be geolocated.
4. Force Multiplier: Explain that electronic warfare serves as a force multiplier across all lines of operations. By degrading an adversary's electronic capabilities, you can reduce their effectiveness on the battlefield, disrupting their ability to communicate, navigate, and target accurately. More sensors, remotely accessed across the battlespace using AI/ML makes up for personnel shortages.
5. Operational and Tactical Advantages: Discuss how EW provides tactical and operational advantages. It can disrupt enemy command and control systems, interfere with surveillance and reconnaissance, and protect friendly forces from electronic threats. By employing tight EMCON, the forces increase their survivability. By taking data from spectrum managers, EW operators can refine their target signals for more efficient ES operations.
6. Countering Advanced Threats: Discuss the evolving threat landscape. Highlight the increasing sophistication of electronic threats from peer or near-peer adversaries. Mention the importance of staying ahead in terms of EW capabilities to counter these threats effectively. The higher up echelon the commander, the more they will be a futurist. Reach out to your national intelligence agencies for experts to provide future threat briefings via VTC.
7. Resource Allocation: Explain that investing in electronic warfare capabilities is a wise allocation of resources. While it may not always be as visible as acquiring new hardware, it's essential for maintaining military superiority in the digital age. EW sensors are more and more COTS based, making it obtainable directly to users vice through slow program offices. Touch on the Joint Restricted Frequency List (JFRL), who manages it and why it is important during high end EW operations (TABOO freqs..etc).
8. Training and Expertise: Emphasize the need for training and expertise in electronic warfare. Having skilled personnel who understand EW principles and tactics is critical for success. Don't just "white card" jamming, actually do it in a controlled way. Show the commander how investing in EW OPFOR equipment is important and how EW training doesn't need to wait until you head to a national training center.
9. International and Legal Aspects: Briefly touch on the international and legal aspects of electronic warfare. Mention the need to operate within legal frameworks and norms while countering electronic threats (having the OPLAW JAG there helps). Be sure to explain the current EW authorities a commander has, and also the ones he/she could ask for as the crisis grows. Explain how EW is separate but connected to both SIGINT and spectrum monitoring.
10. Questions and Discussion: Encourage your military commander to ask questions and engage in a discussion about electronic warfare. Address any concerns or misconceptions they might have. Establish lunch and learns with the staff and create inter-staff allies such as the IT, FIRES, and Info Ops directorates. Be sure to keep yourself updated on EW trends and activities in the theater, and be ready to provide input to CONOPs.

Remember to tailor your presentation to your commander's background and interests. Provide concrete examples and data where possible, and be prepared to follow up with additional information or experts if needed. Ultimately, the goal is to convey the critical idea that electronic warfare isn't magic, but can create the right illusions and clear up the fog of war.

The opinions and assertions expressed herein not reflect the official policy or position of CRFS Ltd or the US Department of Defense.