From Signals to Cyber

This study examines the evolution of the Air Force communications officer, which in many ways parallels the evolution of the Air Force itself. Most apparent, both are inherently technology-based entities that trace their beginnings to the Army Signal Corps. Perhaps less apparent, both have also had to grapple with the questions of centralized control versus unity of command, generalization versus specialization, and manning quantity versus quality. Each of these has influenced the way communications officers evolved. Starting with the signal officer of the American Civil War, early communications officers came to prominence because of the unique capabilities they provided. A modern communications officer, however, no longer provides that unique set of qualifications. Focused more on general management and leadership, the communications officer career field lost its way and no longer specializes in communications. This study looks at how and why this change occurred. For the purposes of this paper, the evolution of the communications officer has been broken down into four epochs: that of the signal officer, the communications-electronics officer, the computer officer, and the cyberspace officer. In analyzing these epochs that differ greatly when it comes to communications technologies, some consistent characteristics become evident, such as the importance of organizational structures, the prominence of leaders and their biases, and the effects of personnel perceptions.