7 6 Conversely, the government is very much a Pull model. The classic 5000-series methodology has its place for huge projects—an aircraft carrier or a new tank, for example. But for IT—or cybersecurity—the government acquisition process cannot keep up. Industry investment dwarfs that of the DoD, as new technology is launched at an accelerating rate. This has fueled the gap between government and commercial networks and has increased the vulnerability of Army IT. However, there are encouraging signs of change. Recently, AT&T expanded its commercial LTE network coverage into the training areas of the National Training Center (NTC) at Fort Irwin, Calif. and the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) at Fort Polk, La. The AT&T LTE network allows more effective evaluation and control of large-scale military, training exercises, because the observer controllers can continuously track locations of players and their equipment throughout the training areas. This enables real-time data sharing, including imagery and video, which provides more rapid and richer feedback to the units undergoing a training rotation. Fort Irwin and Fort Polk are also good examples of procuring services, such as network as a service (NaaS). Rather than simply acquiring technology, NaaS provides a rapid modernization path for the DoD. With this approach, the DoD doesn’t need to worry about network obsolescence, because AT&T is constantly investing in technological upgrades. NaaS also can provide networking services on a “pay for use” consumption model. In fact, the way the Army currently runs its installations illustrates how well a NaaS approach can work. The Army takes an as-a-Service approach with many of the functions provided today on base—housing, base infrastructure and utilities are often provided on a contractor owned & operated basis. Why not use the same approach for IT networking? Instead of focusing on the non-core function of building networks, the Army can focus on learning how to use advanced commercial networks that are readily available. In May, Tegen traveled from his home off the western shore of Maryland to West Point for the fortieth anniversary of his graduating class. The majority of his cohort have retired from active service. But before Tegen turns to a life of reflection and fishing, there is still the mission to put the best technologies to work for our national defense. LEADING THE FUTURE The Army takes an as-a- Service approach with many of the functions provided today…Why not use the same approach for IT networking?