Interview with Rear Adm. Nancy E. Brown: vice Director, Command, Control, Communications, and Computer Systems the Joint Staff

CHIPS, Jan-March, 2005

Rear Adm. Brown became Vice Director for Command, Control, Communications, and Computer Systems (J6), The Joint Staff, in August 2000. As the Joint Staff expert on C4, the directorate's mission is to: (1) Provide the CJCS advice and recommendations on C4 matters; (2) Support warfighters from the CINC to the shooter; (3) Lead the C4 Community; (4) Oversee support for the National Military Command System; and (5) Lead in identifying and resolving military aspects of information-based issues of national importance.

In August 2004, Rear Adm. Brown deployed to Iraq for a six-month tour as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications and Information Systems (DCS CIS) for the Multinational Forces-Iraq (MNF-I). Rear Adm. Brown, the highest ranking officer in the Information Professional Officer Community, leads a team of IPs and enlisted technology experts, Information Systems Technicians and Electronics Technicians, who are engaged in ground operations, rebuilding critical infrastructure and providing direct support to combat commanders. These technology warriors also provide vital communication links for the Iraqi government, coalition forces and remote operational posts.

CHIPS: Can you talk about your mission In Iraq?

Rear Adm. Brown: I'm the Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications and Information Systems (DCS CIS) for the Multinational Forces-Iraq (MNF-I). The mission of my organization is to conduct Command, Control, Communications, and Computer (C4) support of joint, combined and Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) operations in the Iraq Joint Operations Area (JOA). We plan, program, and direct headquarters, joint, coalition and ISF communications and information system networks for deployed forces across the Iraq JOA. Additionally we assure reliability of C4 systems, provide C4 policy and guidance and conduct network operations.

CHIPS: What technologies are warfighters using in Iraq?

Rear Adm. Brown: The network supporting the warfighter in Iraq is perhaps the largest and most diverse ever deployed. This network provides the full range of voice, video and data services to commanders on the ground and consists of not only new and legacy 'green' systems operated by our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, but also commercial systems, some operated by our military men and women, and some operated by a very capable group of contractors.

Our use of commercial technologies includes large wideband satellite terminals, more portable, very small aperture terminals (VSAT), switches, a Global System for Global Communications (GSM) cellular telephone network, voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) solutions, mobile satellite systems, collaboration tools, optical fiber rings and microwave systems to name but a few.

Our biggest challenge and what we really need help with is information sharing. The staff is truly representative of the coalition with key positions held by representatives of all our coalition partners. The situation is further complicated by the Department of State and other governmental agency interactions that are part of our daily routine.

Current policy restrictions on information sharing with these partners and agencies coupled with the technical immaturity of cross domain solutions has driven us to multiple networks and increased complexities in an environment that deserves simplicity. Maintaining multiple networks is a strain on dollars, personnel and individual productivity.

CHIPS: What are your biggest challenges on The Joint Staff?

Rear Adm. Brown: Some of the biggest challenges on the Joint Staff have been synchronizing the Services. Each of the Services sees the world in a slightly different view, which of course drives their acquisition and fielding strategies. C4 acquisitions are as complicated as any other weapon system, like an airplane or a ship, but there are a lot more organizations involved. The challenge has been described as getting all the Services to come up to the starting line and jump off together. But it's actually much more than that, not only do the Services have to jump off together, they need to maintain lockstep so they finish together.

The systems we are acquiring today are so complex and wide reaching that all the pieces need to be acquired at the same time to realize their full potential. Using my airplane example, imagine purchasing an airplane in a fashion that one Service picks the cockpit, one Service picks the engine, another Service picks the landing gear. And then the parts are delivered in different years. That's what makes keeping all the Services synchronized so critical and such a challenge to the Joint Staff.

CHIPS: How do you evaluate the progress in tying together the command and control structure of the Navy, other Services and coalition members since you have been on the Joint Staff?

Rear Adm. Brown: Last year, DoD adopted the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) as a 'bridge' from requirements generation to actual acquisition of capabilities. JCIDS provides the framework to tie together Navy systems with those of the other Services and allies. JCIDS provides an assurance of interoperability of programs through the use of Net-Ready Key Performance Parameters (NR-KPP), and allows the Joint Requirements Oversight Council to assess existing and proposed capabilities in light of their contribution to future joint concepts.