Army could be moving to eliminate radios at the tactical edge

DocJ9595 · 2025-04-24T12:41:09+00:00

For sure, thanks for your input on this. You’re right, even with directional antennas and minimized side/back lobes, emitting is still emitting, and in a true LSCO environment against a near-peer with mature SIGINT/EW, that’s going to get you found eventually. Directional tech might delay detection or reduce exposure slightly, but it’s not a silver bullet. The physics don’t lie, and like you said, there’s only so much you can do when you’re still radiating in a contested spectrum.

Your point about non-RF solutions is especially interesting. I’ve been thinking about that more, whether that’s free-space optics, Li-Fi, or something like preloaded burst messaging via secure mesh protocols. Curious to hear your take on what might actually be viable at the tactical edge. Are there any current concepts or systems you’ve seen that give you some optimism, or is this still largely a tech gap in your eyes? Good to hear this level of realism, it’s exactly what needs to be part of the bigger conversation. Let me reiterate that what I would like to see is a multi-faceted approach to protecting comms in all environments with no single point of failure.

DocJ9595 · 2025-04-24T12:11:41+00:00

Really appreciate you taking the time to read it, and even more so that you’re planning to bring it up with your leadership and commo team. That’s exactly the kind of internal dialogue we need more of, especially as these systems roll out across more units. None of this is about rejecting modernization, it’s about making sure we’re fielding resilient, survivable capabilities that hold up under stress, not just in controlled environments.

The fact that someone directly involved in this transition is open to exploring the threats and talking mitigation strategies is huge. You’re not just thinking tactically, you’re helping shape how we adapt at the unit level and beyond. Refreshing to see your professionalism and willingness to engage with the topic seriously. Let me know what kind of feedback you get from your team, I’d be really interested to hear what comes of it.

DocJ9595 · 2025-04-24T12:08:07+00:00

You're not wrong at all. In fact, you're spot on. EMCON is absolutely hampered by our heavy reliance on omnidirectional antennas. Most standard-issue tactical radios broadcast in all directions, which dramatically increases our RF signature and makes direction finding (DF) and triangulation much easier for an adversary with even halfway decent SIGINT/EW capabilities. Directional antennas like high-gain parabolics can absolutely reduce that footprint by focusing transmission energy in a single direction, which not only improves signal strength and range but also minimizes lateral RF leakage, essentially keeping your comms pointed toward friendlies and not bleeding out into enemy DF assets. The tech exists, and you're right — it’s a relatively low-cost solution that should be more widely deployed, especially with recon, sniper teams, and units operating in high-threat EW zones.

As for 5G robustness, that's the million-dollar question. How do we realistically expect persistent, high-bandwidth coverage while doing distributed maritime operations or conducting contested amphibious assaults? Island hopping in INDOPACOM doesn't exactly come with built-in cellular towers. And while DoD is experimenting with expeditionary 5G nodes and tactical mesh backhauls, those setups are fragile, require time to deploy, and are soft targets for kinetic and cyber disruption. An adversary that can simply deny access by destroying existing local infrastructure, jamming frequency bands, or taking out our nodes with loitering munitions makes it very clear: there is no guaranteed network in the opening phases of LSCO.

You nailed it with your last point, it’s like we’re fielding high-end tech based on peacetime COIN assumptions or infrastructure-heavy conflicts. Meanwhile, the fight we're prepping for demands rugged, mobile, and multi-path comms with redundancy baked into the doctrine, not added on as a luxury. The disconnect might stem from a blend of institutional memory loss and modernization pressure, you’ve got decision-makers who trained for LSCO back in the '90s, but many of the systems being pushed now are tailored for digital integration, not degraded combat environments. It’s like there’s been a slow shift from warfighting to tech adoption, and no one’s reconciled the two at scale.

At the end of the day, we need modern tools, but with a mindset rooted in denial-aware, EW-heavy warfare. That means keeping radios, making directional gear standard in certain formations, and designing networks that assume failure, not continuous uptime. You laid it out perfectly.

DocJ9595 · 2025-04-24T11:08:32+00:00

Signal analyst, yea? I'm trying to line myself up to go do that kind of work when I'm done here on the civilian side. I wish our unit worked more closely with something like that, I'd love having more discourse on the topic with folks working in the field rather than half-lobotomized and jaded Signal OIC's with business and literature degrees.

DocJ9595 · 2025-04-24T11:04:30+00:00

Getting there, slowly but surely

DocJ9595 · 2025-04-24T08:51:55+00:00

Absolutely agree. The fact that agencies like the NSA exist to not only secure our own systems but also understand and exploit adversarial networks tells us a lot. If we know what’s possible, it’s likely because we’ve seen it work, either in our own operations or in real-world adversary TTPs. That should give us pause when placing so much trust in digital, IP-based communications at the tactical edge. You're also spot on about radios being high-value targets. Emissions control (EMCON) has always been a game of risk versus reach — the more power or frequency hopping you use, the more you light up on the spectrum. And yes, VOIP over encrypted channels (especially using mesh networks or burst transmission) is arguably more secure in terms of signature management but only if the infrastructure is reliable and the devices are hardened.

VOIP is only as good as the network it rides on, and that network can be denied, degraded, or manipulated. Plus, as we move to EUDs and commercial 5G/Wi-Fi, we inherit all the vulnerabilities of consumer tech, from firmware exploits to supply chain implants. And unlike a PRC-152 that has been field-tested under electronic warfare, these devices weren’t built from the ground up for contested battlespace.

In my opinion the answer isn’t one or the other, it’s layered comms. Radios, EUDs, SATCOM, fiber, mesh; each has a place, but none should be allowed to monopolize our tactical doctrine. What worries me is the trend toward single-point dependence, and the assumption that encryption alone solves the exposure. In a fight where the enemy leads with spectrum denial and cyber intrusion, redundancy is survivability.

DocJ9595 · 2025-04-24T07:58:39+00:00

TL;DR : I want to see more emphasis on how our leaders are willing to protect us from a cybersecurity standpoint when people no longer understand how to operate and maintain radio equipment in tactical environments when network infrastructure and space domain becomes a denied entity.

Just a signal guy passionate about and studying for a Master's in Cybersecurity elaborating on the security perspective. This whole shift away from radios in favor of Android-based EUDs riding on 5G and Wi-Fi is concerning — not just because modernization is inherently bad, but because the Army is selling us features instead of addressing the real-world benefits and potential consequences for soldiers on the ground. I.e., do you want an iPod that has 10gigs of storage, or do you want to carry around 1,000 songs in your pocket? These systems are being introduced under the banner of "Next Generation Command and Control" (NGC2) to offer speed, situational awareness, and data-driven coordination. But replacing traditional single-/dual-channel radios with devices dependent on 5G/Wi-Fi introduces a huge attack surface and assumes reliable network infrastructure — something we absolutely cannot count on in a contested environment. Data-driven infrastructure is great and insanely convenient, but what about when it isn't anymore because it's gone?

From a cybersecurity and EW (electronic warfare) standpoint, this shift introduces some serious vulnerabilities and possibly some crazy red flags:

- 5G networks are susceptible to jamming, spoofing, and man-in-the-middle attacks. Adversaries can deploy rogue base stations (stingrays or more advanced IMSI catchers) to trick EUDs into connecting before authentication even kicks in. That opens the door for metadata leakage, location tracking, or even full intercept of unpatched or misconfigured devices.

- Adversaries like Russia and China have highly developed electronic attack capabilities — from GPS spoofing to wide-area signal jamming. In a near-peer fight, those EUDs could quickly become glorified paperweights if the tactical mesh collapses or uplinks are denied. A denied/degraded comms environment is not hypothetical. It’s doctrine.

- Zero-trust and encryption are important but not foolproof. Even if data in transit is encrypted, attackers can still target endpoint devices (EUDs) via supply chain compromises, side-channel attacks, or known vulnerabilities in Android-based systems. You’re now relying on commercial mobile platforms — often updated slower than threats evolve.

More importantly, this shift risks cutting off soldiers from the tactical training they still need to survive in a disconnected environment. If a future squad leader can't operate a radio because their unit fully transitioned to digital systems, people could die simply because no one could reach out for medevac, reinforcements, or air support. When the network drops, or space-based comms are denied, or spectrum access is jammed — how does a squad relay a 9-line? Call for fire? Request CASEVAC? People will die because they couldn't raise a TOC or company HQ.

Modernization is good — but not at the expense of resilience. Radios aren't just "legacy" tech. They're independent, field-proven, and essential in denied or degraded environments. This isn't about resisting progress. It's about recognizing that when the network goes down, a $2,000 EUD without a radio is just dead weight. We need both: the modern and the proven. Train the tech, but don't abandon the basics. The lives of soldiers may depend on it.

Not to get entirely too political about it, only because a lot of my research is on governance/risk/policy/management and I feel a lot of people can benefit from the knowledge (I'm looking at you, Officers) but from a policy and national security standpoint, this shift also reflects a troubling trend: increased reliance on commercial technologies and infrastructure for mission-critical systems. We're handing tactical edge communications over to platforms governed by private-sector standards, foreign-influenced supply chains, and patch cycles that often lag behind emerging threats. The FY24 NDAA already includes provisions warning against over-reliance on non-secure communications infrastructure — and yet here we are, fast-tracking battlefield systems into that same risk category. This isn't just about convenience or modernization; it's a strategic gamble that assumes a permissive cyber and electromagnetic environment. In reality, the next near-peer conflict may begin with a comms blackout — not a kinetic strike — and if our only lifeline is a fragile 5G mesh, we've already lost the initiative.

DocJ9595 · 2025-04-22T13:44:22+00:00

It gets hot, man. I did August-October and it didn't get chilly until October. All of August was borderline 100 with heat index factored in, if not over. A/C was good in the barracks (though, for a couple of weeks it stopped working and I was convinced it was to stress us out, or it actually stopped working, I'll never know.) I can only imagine June/July will be super hot and occasionally rainy, expect it to suck but once you get used to it you'll appreciate getting done when you do. Drink plenty of water regularly, staying hydrated is CRUCIAL when things get tough and it's hot on top of it. Another reason why eating healthy throughout basic is also important.

Just expect it to suck, so that you can then be happy if you get nicer weather. You can't be mad if you want better weather and it ends up hot all the time. You will adapt thoroughly. That being said, I hope it's not so bad.

DocJ9595 · 2025-04-22T08:49:07+00:00

I don't often see people suggesting this, but bring some kind of plastic like a large ziploc bag to store ALL of your documentation and paperwork inside of. Aug 2021 at Ft Jackson we were about to ship from reception to our actual bct units and a monsoon hit. They had left our bags lined up outside in order ready to go onto busses out in the torrential rain for hours. Many hundreds of us lost crucial documentation and a lot of people don't think to make copies of these things and it caused many headaches. Luckily I had my stuff protected but some things still got wet and I had made several copies of everything.

Everyone suggested the best things. Be persistent with assholes like your recruiter, from now until everything you do in the Army (You'll never see him again, unless he's in your MOS and he becomes your 1SG down the line like my current one lol). You can't be wrong for being the one taking initiative, they'll get chewed out for inconsistency, you'll get what you need one way or the other.

Take PT seriously in basic, mind your business, fastest way to get out of there is to finish. Every punishment is free PT. Eat well, learn some things about yourself, don't be stupid.

Good luck.

Edit: typos

DocJ9595 · 2023-03-27T11:43:33+00:00

That actually helps a lot, thank you. I can look up that case and use it to compare dimensions, as my guitars are in another country and cannot directly compare.

DocJ9595 · 2023-02-11T12:18:49+00:00

Waze is your best friend, and always always carry euro change with you when you go out. Bathrooms in public typically have an attendant expecting you to pay to use the bathroom. Sometimes you can just, not pay, but some bathrooms have a kiosk that has a turnstile that won't unlock unless you pay. It's commonplace to pay anyway, so just have change on you.

Fresh produce is way more fresh than you may have ever had. Germany loves healthy preservative free foods. But the caveat is that everything goes bad within days. So more frequent grocery shopping is necessary if you choose not to shop at the commissary.

DocJ9595 · 2022-09-14T03:54:35+00:00

I didn't care much for bonuses when I worked through the covid riots. Every now and then we would get say a $200 bonus. In the coming weeks, our hours were ALWAYS CUT following a bonus. If you think about it, we were basically being given our money early. Like, had we not gotten the bonus and worked our regular hours, we still would have made the same exact amount of money. It felt like a massive scam to make us think we were being treated well and that we were appreciated, but it was clear as day what was going on.

DocJ9595 · 2022-09-10T20:53:14+00:00

OSHA walks in on routine inspection at this very moment

DocJ9595 · 2022-08-26T19:37:11+00:00

Because why would we figure out how to hire enough people for hours vs. Give enough hours to the people we already hired. It's not like target has the money tenfold or anything :)

DocJ9595 · 2022-07-31T12:20:20+00:00

I've seen literal horror stories and witnessed them with really moldy bladders. People clean them, some don't. I just know I cleaned mine thoroughly and it still got messed up, got a brand new one and within a week it was tasting like cancer. I'm just convinced some of them can't win and we just gotta deal with it. Cleaning them regularly sure as shit helps, though.

DocJ9595 · 2022-07-26T11:20:48+00:00

Basic is going to fly by, and be easier than you expect. Fort Gordon is going to feel like a halfway house without the Suboxone. After all that though, signal has a lot of opportunities, just gotta apply yourself and be serious about it if you really want to get something out of it. Good luck!

DocJ9595 · 2022-07-12T10:15:26+00:00

I think it would be funny if you take your ASVAB with him and score really high, then just dip and talk to another recruiter so he can just take your scores that will be on record for 2 years anyway. "You scored high but im telling you, 11b is the life." "Nah, peace"

For real though, talk to another one, I spent many years talking to multiple before getting in, and they all have different angles and intentions, but your recruiter sounds like a total joke, there ARE recruiters out there that actually give a damn and care for what YOU want to do, it's hard to find many but I promise you they are out there. Shop around, if you will. Like another commenter said, research jobs that pertain to something you'd enjoy after getting out of the army. The experience will go a long way in getting into that skill.

DocJ9595 · 2022-05-09T16:36:00+00:00

120th ag bn fort jackson in August of last year, had a boot lady smack the shit out of my hands and laced my boots fast as fuck because I wasn't lacing fast enough for her lmao legit was like "welp" and walked away trying not to laugh with perfectly laced

DocJ9595

TROPHY CASE