Bill Overview
Title: DOD Cyber Training Modernization Act
Description: This bill requires that the annual cyber awareness training provided to members in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force include a digital literacy module regarding digital citizenship, media literacy, and protection against cyber threats.
Sponsors: Rep. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI-8]
Target Audience
Population: US military personnel
Estimated Size: 2100000
- The bill targets military personnel across various branches of the United States Department of Defense, including the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force.
- The bill aims to enhance the cyber awareness training programs that already exist for members of the U.S. armed forces by including additional digital literacy modules.
- Digital literacy, media literacy, and protection against cyber threats are increasingly essential for military members who may deal with technological and informational warfare.
Reasoning
- The policy is specifically targeting military personnel, with a focus on active duty and reservists from different branches.
- Given the nature of the policy, it doesn’t directly impact civilians; however, indirectly, it could improve national security.
- We expect military personnel to experience improved digital literacy and cyber protection awareness, which may not drastically alter their immediate wellbeing but may influence long-term satisfaction related to skill development and security.
- The budget indicates a focused, scalable approach within military structures, which suggest structured implementation plans without widespread civilian engagement.
- To assess wellbeing impact, consider the specialized role military personnel have, as well as any security-related stress that increased cyber awareness can reduce.
Simulated Interviews
Army Private (California)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Currently, I feel our existing training is pretty basic.
- This new module could really help us understand threats we might not be aware of yet.
- I look forward to any additional educational resources.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Air Force Cyber Specialist (Florida)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe our current cyber education is adequate, but it could always be updated.
- The additional literacy on media and digital threats might fill some gaps we have today.
- Improving this training could potentially help in more advanced mission scenarios.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Marine Corps Officer (Virginia)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've seen training evolve over the years, and additional digital literacy modules are undoubtedly needed.
- This policy is essential given the growing cyber threats we face.
- It supports the overall mission and security of our forces significantly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 7 |
Navy Reservist (Texas)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Cyber threats are everywhere, and any additional training is a benefit.
- This policy can make a big difference, particularly for reservists like me who might not engage with if not for formal training.
- Seeing U.S. investments in this area reassures my confidence in national defense.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Space Force Technician (New York)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- In space-related tech, digital literacy is crucial.
- Cyber defense is becoming increasingly necessary.
- I support any policy that brings more cohesive and comprehensive updates.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Army Reserve (Ohio)
Age: 20 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I just completed the standard cyber training; more modules sound beneficial.
- I'm hopeful that expanded training will help new recruits like me understand potential online threats better.
- This policy might give us an edge and create more equitable understanding across ranks.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 9 |
Navy Admiral (Washington D.C.)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could greatly transform our readiness against emerging cyber threats.
- It's progressive to include digital citizenship and media literacy lessons.
- The likelihood of improved strategic decisions in technology management is high.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 10 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 10 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 9 |
Marine Corps IT Specialist (North Carolina)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We often face gaps in media and digital literacy amongst peers.
- This new policy will fill knowledge gaps and improve morale by boosting confidence.
- Learning these skills is essential for both professional and personal security.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Air Force Intelligence Officer (Arizona)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Integration of digital literacy is a great initiative.
- Utilizing this skill set could enhance our operations in intelligence analysis significantly.
- This change is timely and necessary given current tech landscape.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 9 |
Army Cyber Defense Specialist (Illinois)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This legislation is a reassuring step toward full-spectrum protection.
- It’s critical to update our understanding of digital threats as they evolve.
- Having these modules will help us anticipate rather than react to problems.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 9 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15000000 (Low: $12000000, High: $18000000)
Year 2: $14000000 (Low: $11000000, High: $17000000)
Year 3: $13500000 (Low: $10500000, High: $16500000)
Year 5: $13000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $16000000)
Year 10: $12500000 (Low: $9500000, High: $15500000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Ensuring adequate training infrastructure and platforms are available for all military branches to integrate and deliver the new modules efficiently.
- The policy's success depends on the effective updating of content and the relevance of digital literacy components in evolving cyber threat landscapes.