A Call to Action

Lead in Data Centricity

By Col. Julia M. Donley, 43rd Chief of Signal and U.S. Army Signal School Commandant

Article published on: March 20, 2025, in the Army Communicator Spring 2025 Edition

Read Time: < 2 mins

Picking a topic for this issue was easy. In Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Jeth B Rey’s first message to the force, he gave all of us several tasks; the first of which is: Lead in Data Centricity. This data-centric Army of ours cannot function without a unified network, enabling access to the data layer.

Today’s network isn’t about emailing large PowerPoint briefs in Garrison. It is no longer there to provide dial tone. Today’s network is for the data, and the data is for the Warfighter. Lt. Gen. Rey’s call to action is only the latest evolution in our Regiment’s 165 years of constant change. Our mindset must continue to change. How do we as Signaleers provide that unified network to all Warfighters, no matter the location, ensuring their ability to access their data? In a world where radios are computers, chat is preferable over voice, and our fellow Soldiers are increasingly technologically savvy, what are you doing to enable data services?

In the last month, I’ve had the privilege of observing C2 Fix at 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) during Operation Lethal Eagle, Next Gen C2 at Project Convergence Capstone 5, and conversations at the Unified Network Summit No. 11. As the Army rapidly moves into the future of artificial intelligence-centered C2 systems, unmanned systems, and man/machine interface, bandwidth and spectrum demand grows exponentially. As Signaleers, we will continue to evolve to keep pace with the demand as the data-centric Army grows more reliant on the network.

In this issue, you will find many different ways in which the Signal Corps is “Enabling the Data Centric Warfighter” – articles like 2/502nd IR C2 Fix Best Practices and Recommendations (Capt. Cody Winston), Enabling Distributed Operations at the Tactical Level (Lt. Col. Marreo Burch, Maj. Adam Black, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Justin Carrier), Challenges and Lessons Learned in Data Integration (Capt. Brian Lee Matias), and AUDS: A New Era in Military Data Integration (Candy Knight) just to name a few.

As I write this, I am attending the Data Literacy course at Carnegie Mellon University. It is one of several available to Army leaders to improve their understanding of data as well as receive a great overview on the capabilities of artificial intelligence. While it is an excellent executive level overview, many of our discussions have brought up the need to include context as well as individual application when it comes to data literacy training. Including data concepts across professional military education is a good start. The next step is to be able to answer, “How does this apply to me? What are you doing to improve your own data literacy and how are you applying that knowledge to improve your organization?”

In 165 years, our purpose hasn’t really changed. As Signaleers, we enable command and control for our Army. The way we’ve done it constantly changes. From flags and torches, to balloons, to pigeons, telegraphs, aircraft, switchboards, satellites… Today, it is about data. Tomorrow, quantum computing?

As we look toward the future, we continue to honor those who got us here. Regimental Command Sgt. Maj. Linwood Barrett has been the Signal Corps’ biggest advocate. He has done more to support the people of our Regiment than anyone else I know. He served to remind us to be proud of our achievements, and he never stopped challenging us to be even better. Our bright shining orange beacon, covering the globe, will dim just a bit as he retires. But never fear RCSM, your example will continue to inspire the Regiment for generations.

Signal Strong! Signal Proud! Pro Patria Vigilans! Watchful for the Country!