The Importance of Psychological Operations in Modern Warfare
In the realm of warfare, the art of psychological operations, or psyops, has long been recognized as a potent tool for influencing enemy perceptions and behaviors. As ancient Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu famously stated, “If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him.” This principle has been embraced by modern military forces, including the U.S. Army, which has integrated psyops into its psychological operations career group.
However, a recent Defense Department inspector general report has shed light on a critical issue within the Army’s psyops ranks. The report, titled “Evaluation of the DoD Military Information Support Operations Workforce,” reveals that the Army’s psyops units are severely understaffed at a time when the Pentagon is facing challenges from adversarial disinformation campaigns.
The term “psyops” was replaced with Military Information Support Operations (MISO) in a 2010 memorandum issued during the Obama administration. Despite this change in terminology, the Army continues to refer to its units and career field as psyops. The report highlights that the Army’s Psychological Operations Groups are operating at only 60% of their authorized strength, with significant gaps in staffing and command positions.
MISO and other information operations play a crucial role in countering adversaries without direct armed combat. However, the inspector general found that the Army lacks sufficient MISO-qualified personnel to meet the increasing demand for these operations. Additionally, a comprehensive study of the entire psyops branch has not been conducted in two decades, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current practices.
As the nature of warfare evolves with advancements in technology and communication, psyops have expanded beyond traditional battlefield tactics. The rise of online news, social media, and ubiquitous cellphone use has transformed how information is disseminated and received. While there are national influence operations against countries like Russia, China, and Iran led by other government agencies, psyops primarily focuses on battlefield influence.
Despite the growing demand for psyops capabilities, the Army is phasing out psychological operations roles to make room for new priorities such as directed energy programs and multi-domain task force teams. This decision has sparked controversy within the military, with Special Operations Command Gen. Bryan Fenton advocating for the preservation of MISO positions.
Recent revelations about the Pentagon’s psyops activities have raised questions about their effectiveness. Reports have highlighted concerns about reckless and ineffective psychological operations conducted by the armed services. The Pentagon has also been granted new powers to engage in offensive psyops campaigns, including covert operations that deny American involvement.
While psyops remain a critical component of modern warfare, ensuring their ethical and strategic implementation is essential. As Sun Tzu famously stated, “All warfare is based on deception.” However, as the inspector general report underscores, transparency and accountability are crucial in leveraging psychological operations effectively in today’s complex geopolitical landscape.