The Pentagon has formally requested that lawmakers remove a proposal from the fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would require an independent assessment of the potential establishment of a separate cyber service. This appeal was sent to both the House and Senate Armed Services committees, according to insiders familiar with the matter, marking a significant pushback from the Department of Defense (DOD) on the idea of a cyber-specific military branch.
Additionally, the DOD requested the removal of another provision supported by both legislative chambers. This provision would make Joint Force Headquarters-Department of Defense Information Networks (JFHQ-DODIN) a “subordinate unified command” under U.S. Cyber Command, similar to the Cyber National Mission Force, which was elevated in 2022.
The Pentagon’s resistance to these proposals highlights its longstanding opposition to a separate cyber service, despite growing concerns from some lawmakers, such as Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas), who championed the independent assessment proposal. Luttrell expressed frustration with the Pentagon’s stance, emphasizing the need for the U.S. to strengthen its cyber capabilities against increasingly sophisticated adversaries.
The DOD’s appeal comes at a time when both the House and Senate have already passed versions of the NDAA. The House passed its $895 billion policy roadmap in June, while the Senate’s version has been delayed due to other legislative priorities. Staffers from both chambers are expected to negotiate a final compromise version of the NDAA when Congress returns in November.
The Pentagon argued that Congress has already ordered an evaluation of the current cyber enterprise as part of the fiscal 2023 NDAA, known as the Section 1533 study, which was conducted by the RAND Corporation. The DOD plans to wait until next June to make decisions based on RAND’s findings. Additionally, the Pentagon warned that if a third-party study does not use a research entity with national security credentials, it would lack access to classified information, making it difficult to properly assess the challenges facing Cyber Command.
Critics, such as Mark Montgomery from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, have voiced concerns over the Pentagon’s reluctance to provide transparency on the issue. Montgomery compared the DOD’s response to organizations like TikTok that have resisted transparency efforts, suggesting the Pentagon may be shielding Cyber Command from necessary scrutiny.
Despite the Pentagon’s objections, the proposal has bipartisan support in both chambers, with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) backing the assessment in the Senate. This political backing increases the likelihood that the appeal could be ignored, costing the Pentagon and Cyber Command valuable political capital.
In a separate appeal, the Pentagon also requested the removal of provisions that would elevate JFHQ-DODIN within Cyber Command. The Pentagon argued that such a move would define command relationships, potentially restricting future Defense secretaries or Cyber Command chiefs. However, experts suggest that the Pentagon may not be fundamentally opposed to the promotion, but is wary of any changes that could affect its control over the command structure.
As lawmakers weigh the Pentagon’s appeals and the future of U.S. cyber defense strategy, the final outcome of these provisions will play a critical role in shaping the future of the nation’s digital warfare capabilities.
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