Changing Technology Adds Risk, Uncertainty to Modern Warfare

The general spoke to journalists about the lessons from the war in Ukraine and how, again in his career, technology disrupts the battlefield. As a result, the document for the future of the Corps, Force Design 2030, needs constant revisiting, the general explained. 

“We have to have enough mobility that we can relocate a unit pretty often,” said Berger. “Some of us learned 30 years ago camouflage, decoys, deception; what we didn't worry so much about 30 years ago was every time you press a button, [now] you're turning yourself in.” 

The general offered a cellular phone as an example, a device every service member has and operates as part of their lives. Now, these must be used with extreme caution in a hostile environment. 

“The electronic signature management is huge. Signals intelligence was pushed down to a much lower level,” Berger said. 

Sharing tactical-level intelligence in real time with allies has changed to a level of openness that was unknown before. “We were always very worried of doing that, for giving away trade secrets or sources,” Berger said. “We're making decisions now, on sharing with our allies and partners. That's a direct derivative of the National Defense Strategy, but we were always brought up hearing ‘don't share that intel.’ We're in a different place intel-sharing than we were.”