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Information Warfare (IWar)

The Information Warfare Branch is a maneuver branch that operates across the information, human, and physical dimensions to disrupt, degrade, deny, deceive, destroy, and manipulate enemy troops, systems, and decision makers. Its purpose is to create, seize, retain, and exploit advantages that enable freedom of action for friendly forces while denying the same to the enemy.

The branch executes three core activities:
1. Psychological Operations to shape and influence decision-making;
2. Defense Deception Activities to generate human, informational, and physical advantages exploitable by commanders;
3. Operational Security to preserve combat power by protecting friendly signatures, intentions, and operations. The branch is purpose-built to design, integrate, and deliver effects in all military activities during operations and campaigning.

Information Warfare - Fact Sheet

Information Warfare Fact Sheet

Information Warfare FAQs

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Expand List item 1436Collapse List item 1436  Why was this change directed (and by whom)?
Army Transformation Initiative (ATI) EXORD directs the consolidation of Psychological Operations (CMF 37) and the Information Operations Functional Area (FA30) into a single Center of Excellence and Force Modernization Proponent. The Chief of Staff of the Army approved this consolidation.
Expand List item 1435Collapse List item 1435  Why is the Army making a new Information Warfare branch?
Consolidation of training and education of information forces allows for fiscally sound modernization. Investing in critical capabilities by modernizing and consolidating training across Army information forces provides efficient employment of resources for future training and essential tools to win in hybrid warfare.
Expand List item 1437Collapse List item 1437  Is this related to the cuts to Psychological Operations and Information Operations over the past few years?
The new branch is not directly related to Psychological Operations or Information Operations Army Structure (ARSTRUC) decisions but rather recognizes efficiencies and helps reduce redundancies while aligning and synchronizing currently disparate Information Forces across the Army. Total Army Analysis cuts were part of the considerations to validate the decision.
Expand List item 1438Collapse List item 1438  When will IWar branch be established?
The earliest IWar branch will become initial operational capability would be approximately. 9 months after the Department of the Army General Order (DAGO) is signed by the SECARMY. That DAGO is under review and expects to be staffed by HQDA Q2FY26. The work to establish IWar was primarily executed between the institutional force (Special Operations Center of Excellence, Mission Command Center of Excellence, CAC and T2COM with support from HQDA staff to include DAMO-SOI, along with ARNG and OCAR/USARC partners.
Expand List item 1439Collapse List item 1439  Where will IWar proponent be located?
At the Special Operations Center of Excellence, also known as JFK Special Warfare Center and School.
Expand List item 1440Collapse List item 1440  Will IWar be an ARSOF Branch or an Army Branch? What happens to current SOF Psychological Operations Soldiers? 
The new branch will be a conventional force branch and eventually an initial accessions (basic) branch that supports Total Army requirements, balancing force structure across all three components of the Army. The Special Operations Center of Excellence has responsibility for force modernization and will offer an assessment and selection for those who volunteer to qualify to hold SOF specific IWAR billets (like infantry soldiers (Basic branch) qualifying for the 75th Ranger Regiment). Current SOF Psychological Operations Soldiers will maintain the qualification to serve in SOF billets. This branch will support joint, conventional, and ARSOF requirements.
Expand List item 1441Collapse List item 1441  Will there be changes to heraldry, insignia, or branch color?
Heraldry and the history of the Psychological Operations Regiment and Information Operations professionals is CRITICAL to the identity of the new branch and will be retained. Heraldry actions, insignia, and any uniform updates will be addressed via separate approvals and published updates. Interim wear and identification guidance will be provided in execution materials.
Expand List item 1442Collapse List item 1442  What will IWAR provide to SOCOM and the Army that isn’t provided now?
The establishment of a new IWAR branch helps the Army effectively shape the information environment by modernizing and transforming our Army Information Forces into a cohesive, agile entity capable of countering and dominating sophisticated information threats and achieve information dominance in multi-domain operations. All critical capabilities that Psychological Operations and Information Operations provided will continue but transformed in modernized techniques, depth of understanding and integration across all Information capabilities. 
Expand List item 1443Collapse List item 1443  What will happen to current Psychological Operations and Information Operations officers?
Depending on their year group, some will be required to attend transition courses to be fully qualified as an IWar Soldier, others may not. This will be determined after the DAGO to establish the branch is signed. Then a Notification of Forces will inform the total force of the branch creation and the proponent with HRC will determine which year groups require transition training. That training will likely need to occur not more than 24 month after the notification. The first IWar officer pilot course is scheduled to be executed in Q2 of FY26.
Expand List item 1444Collapse List item 1444  What changes on day one for Soldiers and units?
Existing Psychological Operations and Information Operations missions continue uninterrupted. Administrative updates (e.g., branch codes, accessions channels, training pipelines) will phase in per implementing instructions.

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