Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) in Revolution.

Command Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence C4I community has been in the midst of a revolution since the onset of DESERT SHIELDDESERT STORM. Using multimedia real-time, fully integrated command and control, this revolution seeks to exploit the adversarys command and control and operate within their decision cycle. This race has no limits in leveraging commercial technologies and services, international commercial data protocol standards and the latest innovations in information transfer technology. It also appears to have no pause for reassessment and course correction of the Strategy along the way. The focus is on the opportunities, which do abound, with a lack luster appreciation for the inherent risks associated with being on the cutting edge of technology. The Warfighter needs to stay engaged to ensure the retains the capability to command and control his forces during the transitional phase of this C I revolution and into the future. Pushing the technological envelope to provide a force multiplier to compensate for reductions in personnel, funding, weapons and information infrastructure must be balanced with the continued operation of the present legacy communications systems to provide a safety net for deployed forces.