Report Proposes $10-11 Billion Cyber Force to Address Military Cyber Readiness Gaps

WASHINGTON — A new report recommends establishing an independent Cyber Force with an initial budget of $10 to $11 billion to address persistent readiness shortfalls in military cyber operations. The proposal aims to create a dedicated service focused exclusively on cyberspace operations.

Currently, each military branch maintains separate personnel policies, rotation schedules, and pay scales while contributing personnel to U.S. Cyber Command for global operations. The report argues this fragmented approach creates inefficiencies and inconsistencies that undermine cyber readiness.

Published by the Commission on US Cyber Force Generation—established by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in partnership with the Cyber Solarium Commission 2.0—the report outlines a roadmap for creating the new service. The commission includes recently retired senior cyber commanders, former Pentagon officials, and mid-level cyber personnel.

The $10-11 billion recommendation would redirect existing congressional allocations across the military services to the Cyber Force. This consolidation would centralize funding and improve return on investment, according to report advisors.

The proposal faces political uncertainty. While initial support existed during the Trump administration, previous legislative efforts were unsuccessful or weakened. However, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand plans to introduce an amendment to the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act to create the Cyber Force.

Force Structure and Organization

The commission studied two organizational models without endorsing either: integrating the Cyber Force within the Department of the Army (similar to Marine Corps arrangement) or establishing it as a separate military department with its own service chief and secretary.

The proposed force would take 12-18 months to reach initial operating capacity through a phased approach. It would consist of approximately 33,000 personnel: 20,000 active duty, 3,500-5,000 National Guard members, and 5,000-6,000 civilian and contractor staff.

Unlike traditional military branches, the Cyber Force would comprise only commissioned officers and warrant officers—highly technical specialists—with no enlisted ranks. This structure mirrors the Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and is designed to maximize operational effectiveness for a smaller force.

The report recommends leaving Department of Defense Information Network defense to individual services, while the Cyber Force focuses on offensive and defensive cyber operations. This aligns with current CYBERCOM priorities.

The force would use flexible task force structures rather than traditional units like squadrons and battalions. These task forces could range from three to 40 members based on mission requirements, enabling rapid adaptation to specific operational needs.

Civilian and military personnel mixes would vary by unit, with some operational units potentially maintaining a 50/50 split similar to the National Security Agency model.

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