Multi-Domain Battle: Meeting the Cultural Challenge

"erhaps the most critical cultural issue those developing Multi-Domain Battle must resolve is a contradiction so significant it might be fatal to the concept’s success. Few would argue with the proposition that the world is becoming increasingly connected.[3] In fact, humanity is on the cusp of what futurists call the 4th Industrial Revolution, in which the physical, biological, and digital worlds will merge.[4] While such claims may seem far-fetched, information and its management is certainly growing in significance across society as well as in monetary value. Connectivity favours speed, freedom, sharing, delegation, and individuality, attributes the digital natives of today take for granted. Can the strengths of connectivity be made to work in military command systems emphasising hierarchy, control, integration, and coordination? Integration, for example, is one of the buzzwords of those advocating Multi-Domain Battle, and its achievement is absolutely critical. There is, however, a second order effect to examine. If integration is achieved, will it result in faster and better-targeted decision making or in more command interference that slows the ability of those in the field to act?"