The Evolution of Army Communications Technology and Its Effect on Battle Command

If information and other technologies are to be the core of warfare in the future what does this mean to commanders of the future? Will commanders of the future have to be geniuses trained in the sciences of war since childhood to be effective in commanding their troops on the battlefield? Will the technology evolve so that it will not require human interaction and be able to fight the battles far faster than human reflexes can respond to? Or will technology ultimately still only be an enhancement to the commander's skills; another tool for him to use or not use as he exercises his art on the battlefield? The author takes the position that it is not the technology that will be the decisive factor in the wars of the future. Because the nature of war will not change, the decisive factor in wars of the 21st century and beyond will be competent and experienced commanders and leaders who understand and can prosecute the 'art' of battle command and that technology will serve as the science in the exercise of that art.