WiFi Over Water: Misplaced Priorities in the American Way of War - Modern War Institute

I understand the spirit and I understand the logic of this argument, but the ORSA in me is asking: where is the data? Where is the proof of this causal link between a degradation of readiness and using personal cellphones in the field during, and you even admitted this, downtime? As a person who did SIGINT for 14 years and knows a lot about tracking the EM spectrum, it is saturated. To track an individual using tactical equipment who is on a cellphone or IPAD is not easy at all. You have to isolate the cell tower and there could be thousands of signals pinging off of that tower. It’s a needle in a haystack. Not at all a strong argument. I understand this desire to create austerity to train for austerity, but let’s be honest. Are we really thinking a modern warfare near peer engagement is going to somehow de evolve in time to a WWII like austerity? I’ll tell you what does have data to support it: good troop morale is a combat multiplier. Yet I’m seeing commanders ignore that everyday and embrace things like this that have virtually no merit in data or common sense. So I’ll say this, you want to dispose of the “creature comforts” to prepare for what you think will happen in war? Fine, then as a commander come up with creative and logical ways to motivate your troops. Take advantage of the combat multipliers proven to exist.

MAJ (Join to see) - So, I loved having my phone in their field. No question about it. But, I think there is plenty of evidence from the Russia/Crimea incursion that shows how personal communication devices can be used by the enemy to cause damage to tactical and strategic targets. Aside from that, cell phones - and any devices really - give off RF and can lead the enemy to our bases. In my current position, one of my jobs is to test new systems and ensure that they meet the standards for RF emissions so that they are less detectable to enemy electromagnetic observation. Having a mess of massive RF emitting devices in the field completely negates those standards.