A Unified Command for Underground Combat Is Overdue
The Department of War lacks a single office responsible for underground combat, even though its related programs are spread across multiple parts of the department. A proposed direct-reporting portfolio manager would coordinate resilience, sensing, and defeat efforts and report to the deputy secretary. The arrangement would follow existing models used for unmanned systems, critical weapons, and Golden Dome.
The Department of War does not have one office focused solely on underground combat. Instead, related programs are dispersed across multiple parts of the department.
A proposed portfolio manager would report directly to the deputy secretary and coordinate resilience, sensing, and defeat efforts. This setup would resemble existing models for unmanned systems, critical weapons, and Golden Dome.
If adopted, this arrangement could change how underground-related work is prioritized and coordinated, potentially affecting military readiness and the safety of personnel in subterranean operations. Defense planners and policymakers may see shifts in budgeting, training, and oversight. The broader social impact may depend on implementation and funding choices, with effects felt indirectly by those who rely on defense programs and by communities connected to military activities.