1. Office of Civilian-Military Communications Security (OCMCS)
a. Director, OCMCS:
(1) Responsible for overall leadership, strategic direction, and interagency coordination.
b. Deputy Director, OCMCS
(1) Assists the Director; oversees daily operations and cross-division collaboration.
c. Policy & Compliance Division Chief
(1) Policy Analysts
(2) Compliance Officers
d. Operations & Incident Response Division Chief
(1) Incident Response Team Leads
(2) Cybersecurity Analysts
e. Technology & Systems Security Division Chief
(1) Systems Engineers
(2) Encryption Specialists
f. Training & Outreach Division Chief
(1) Training Coordinators
(2) Outreach Specialists
g. Regional Coordinators (East, West, Central)
(1) Regional Support Staff
2. Media Liaison Branch
a. The Media Liaison Branch serves as the primary interface between the Office of Civilian-Military Communications Security (OCMCS) and external media organizations. Its mission is to ensure accurate, timely, and secure communication of information to the public, while safeguarding operational security (OPSEC) and supporting the office’s strategic objectives.
b. Branch Structure and Key Staff Roles
(1) Chief, Media Liaison Branch: Leads the branch, sets media strategy, coordinates with OCMCS leadership, oversees all operations.
(2) Deputy Chief: Assists the Chief, manages day-to-day operations, acts as Chief in their absence.
(3) Media Relations Officers: Serve as primary points of contact for national, regional, and local media; draft press materials.
(4) Public Affairs Specialists: Prepare briefings, talking points, and media kits; support spokespersons and subject matter experts.
(5) OPSEC Advisor: Reviews all communications for security compliance; coordinates with security and legal staff.
3. Locations
a. Washington, DC:
(1) Policy & Compliance Division.
(2) Develops security policies, compliance programs, and liaises with federal agencies.
b. Fort Meade, MD:
(1) Operations & Incident Response Division
(2) Manages real-time incident response, threat monitoring, and crisis management.
c. San Antonio, TX
(1) Technology & Systems Security Division
(2) Oversees secure communications technology, encryption, and system hardening.
d. Colorado Springs, CO
(1) Training & Outreach Division
(2) Conducts training for civilian and military personnel; public outreach and awareness.
e. Atlanta, GA; Los Angeles, CA, Chicago, IL
(1) Regional Coordination Offices
(2) Coordinates with local agencies, supports regional operations, and ensures nationwide coverage.
4. The OCMCS operates secure facilities with restricted access, including Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs), to safeguard classified communications equipment and information.
PART II NARRATIVE SUMMARY
1. Mission and Purpose
a. The Office of Civilian-Military Communications Security (OCMCS) is a specialized agency dedicated to ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of communications between civilian agencies and military entities.
(1) Develop, implement, and sustain secure communications infrastructure and protocols that enable seamless, interoperable, and resilient information exchange during routine operations, emergencies, and joint missions.
2. Core Functions
a. Develops and maintains cryptographic solutions and secure key management systems for both civilian and military stakeholders.
(1) Ensure that sensitive information is protected at all classification levels, up to and including TOP SECRET.
b. Provides full lifecycle support for communications security (COMSEC) equipment.
(1) Procurement, deployment, maintenance, repair, and secure disposal, serving as a central logistics and accountability hub for secure communications assets.
c. Facilitates the secure distribution and management of cryptographic key material.
(1) Leverage advanced electronic key distribution systems and devices to support rapid and secure communications in both enterprise and tactical environments.
d. Coordinates with the National Security Agency (NSA) and other defense agencies.
(1) Set common protocols and standards, promoting interoperability and secure information sharing with allied, coalition, and interagency partners.
2. Functions
a. Integrates civilian and military personnel, fostering a culture of mutual awareness and continuous training to bridge gaps in understanding and operational practice between sectors.
b. Maintains a robust network of forward repair and support activities to provide rapid, field-level assistance for COMSEC systems during joint operations and crisis response.
3. Strategic Goals
a. Enhance awareness and training across agencies to ensure all participants understand the importance and methods of secure civilian-military communication.
b. Implement and continuously improve interoperable communications systems that withstand cyber threats, physical attacks, and evolving technological challenges.
c. Build and sustain a “network of networks” that connects civilian and military communication nodes, enabling efficient information dissemination and coordinated decision-making during multi-agency operations.
4. Key Activities
a. Routine assessment and analysis of communications security posture, identifying vulnerabilities and implementing mitigation strategies.
b. Dissemination of best practices, technical primers, and operational guidelines to all stakeholders, ensuring a unified approach to communications security.
c. Support for emergency communications, ensuring that critical information reaches the right people at the right time, particularly during incidents that require joint civilian-military response.
5. Impact
a. By serving as the central authority for civilian-military communications security, the OCMCS ensures that both sectors can operate with confidence, knowing that their information exchanges are protected from adversaries and resilient against disruption. This capability is vital for national security, effective disaster response, and the successful execution of joint missions at home and abroad.
PART III CHRONOLOGY OF SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
1. Initial Concept and Drafting (Months 0–3)
a. Stakeholders (DoD, relevant civilian agencies, congressional committees) identify the need for a new office and define its scope, responsibilities, and structure.
b. Drafting of proposed legislation begins, including:
(1) Mission statement and authorities.
(2) Appointment process for the office head (e.g., congressional commission or presidential appointment with Senate confirmation).
2. Legislative Introduction and Committee Review (Months 4–7)
a. Bill introduced in the House and/or Senate and referred to relevant committees (e.g., Armed Services, Homeland Security, Intelligence).
(1) Committee hearings and markups, with input from subject matter experts and stakeholders.
(2) Amendments made as needed, potentially modeling after recent changes to legislative agency appointments (e.g., commission-based selection).
3. Congressional Approval (Months 8–12)
a. Bill reported out of committee and brought to the floor for debate and vote in both chambers.
b. If passed, sent to the President for signature (if not solely a congressional entity).
c. Upon enactment, the office is legally established.
4. Organizational Stand-Up (Months 13–18)
a. Appointment of interim leadership or formation of a congressional commission to select the office head.
b. Recruitment of core staff, establishment of initial policies, and securing of facilities.
c. Coordination with DoD CIO, Army G-6, and other relevant agencies to align communications security protocols.
5. Policy and Implementation Planning (Months 19–24)
a. Development of detailed implementation plans,
(1) Communications security (COMSEC) policies (cryptographic, transmission, emission, and physical security).
(2) Integration with existing military and civilian COMSEC programs.
(3) Initial budget allocations and resource planning.
6. Full Operational Capability (Months 25–36)
a. Office achieves initial operation capability, begins oversight and support functions.
b. Full staffing, deployment of secure communications systems, interagency coordination.
c. Regular reporting to Congress.
PART IV. SEQUENTIAL LISTING OF SIGNIFICANT ASPECTS
1. Organizational Structure and Roles
a. Establish a clear chain of command and responsibility, including both civilian and military personnel, to ensure coordinated policy, oversight, and operational implementation.
b. Define administrative groups for policy formulation, correspondence management, and top secret control.
c. Assign technical groups for liaison, intelligence gathering, and cryptologic analysis.
2. Policy and Procedure Development
a. Formulate and enforce administrative procedures, security policies, and regulations for communications security (COMSEC)
b. Coordinate application and supervision of these policies across all relevant divisions and branches
3. COMSEC Material Management
a. Oversee the procurement, distribution, storage, and destruction of cryptographic keys and controlled cryptographic items.
b. Maintain cryptographic accounts and ensure compliance with key management protocols at all organizational levels.
4. Technical Control and Network Oversight
a. Implement real-time transmission system configuration, quality assurance, alternate routing, patching, testing, and restoration of communication paths.
b. Operate Technical Control Facilities (TCFs) as interfaces between transmission elements and users, ensuring 24/7 monitoring and rapid response capabilities.
5. Physical and Logical Security Measures
a. Supervise physical security of facilities, including access controls, surveillance, and cleanliness of secure areas.
b. Ensure logical security through network segmentation, firewalls, intrusion detection, and secure communications protocols.
6. Communications Surveillance and Traffic Analysis
a. Continuously monitor network traffic for anomalies, congestion, or unauthorized access.
b. Analyze communication procedures and practices to identify discrepancies or security violations, and recommend corrective actions.
7. Intelligence Integration and Threat Assessment
a. Gather and evaluate intelligence on foreign cryptologic capabilities and potential threats to communication systems.
b. Maintain liaison with external intelligence agencies and provide periodic threat reports to leadership.
8. Incident Response and Continuity Planning
a. Develop and maintain incident response procedures for communication security breaches or system failures.
b. Ensure continuity of operations through redundant systems, alternate routing, and disaster recovery plans.
9. Training and Compliance
a. Provide ongoing training for civilian and military personnel on COMSEC procedures and responsibilities.
b. Conduct regular inspections and compliance audits to enforce adherence to security policies and standards.
10. Documentation and Reporting
a. Maintain comprehensive records of all COMSEC activities, including correspondence, key management, and incident reports.
b. Compile historical data and maintain reference materials relevant to division operations.
PART V CIVIL AFFAIRS
1. Press Reaction
a. Scrutiny and Transparency Demands:
(1) The press would likely scrutinize the creation of an Office of Civilian-Military Communications Security, raising questions about its purpose, oversight, and potential impacts on civil liberties and transparency.
(2) Media outlets often emphasize the need for government accountability, especially regarding any agency with the power to monitor or regulate communications between civilians and the military.
b. National Security Framing: Coverage would likely highlight the office’s role in protecting national security, particularly in the context of increasing cyber threats and the need for secure communications infrastructure.
(1) Journalists may also investigate whether such an office could be used to restrict the flow of information or limit press access to military operations.
c. Civil-Military Relations: The press might analyze how this office fits within broader civil-military relations, referencing historical norms that require the military to remain apolitical and under civilian control.
(1) Debate over whether the office strengthens or undermines these principles.
2. Social Media Reaction
a. Debate Over Privacy and Free Speech: Social media users would likely express concern about potential government overreach, especially regarding surveillance and the security of personal communications.
(1) Discussions might center on First Amendment rights and the risks of censorship, particularly if the office has authority over civilian communications platforms.
b. Misinformation and Viral Narratives:
(1) Social media platforms could become a battleground for competing narratives. Some users might spread misinformation or conspiracy theories about the office’s true intentions, while others could defend its necessity for national defense.
c. Calls for Oversight and Public Input:
(1) Grassroots campaigns or hashtags demanding transparency, public oversight, and clear boundaries for the office’s activities.
(2) Social media empowers users to organize and amplify concerns rapidly, increasing pressure on policymakers to clarify the office’s mandate and safeguards.
3. Contextual Insights
a. Military Communication Norms: The military is expected to communicate strategic narratives as directed by civilian authorities, maintaining an apolitical stance.
b. Social Media’s Double-Edged Role:
(1) While social media can enhance communication and transparency, it also poses operational and security risks for the military, requiring careful policy and education to mitigate these risks.
c. Legal Precedents: Recent Supreme Court rulings highlight the complexity of government officials’ use of social media, especially regarding free speech and state action.
4. Summary
a. The hypothetical creation of an Office of Civilian-Military Communications Security would likely prompt significant debate in both the press and on social media.
(1) The press would focus on transparency, oversight, and the office's impact on civil-military relations, while social media would amplify concerns about privacy, free speech, and government overreach.
(2) Both arenas would demand clear guidelines, accountability, and public engagement to ensure the office’s legitimacy and respect for democratic norms.
PART VI. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
Table One: Timeline
| Phase | Key Activities | Estimated Duration |
|---|
| Concept & Drafting | Define mission, draft legislation | 0–3 months |
| Committee Review | Hearings, markups, amendments | 4–7 months |
| Congressional Approval | Floor votes, enactment | 8–12 months |
| Organizational Stand-Up | Leadership selection, initial staffing and setup | 13–18 months |
| Policy & Implementation | Develop policies, budget, interagency coordination | 19–24 months |
| Full Operational Capability | Begin operations, reporting, full integration | 25–36 months |
