This thesis is designed to do two things. First, this study examines the evolution of command and control (C2) systems through history. Second, this study examines the Army's current Force XXI digitization initiative. The first part develops the research areas; the second applies them to Force XXI. History reveals that C2 systems evolve when three areas are evolved holistically: organizations, procedures, and communications. The subject areas are the basis for a comparison of Force XXI with commercial and academic trends where increased information technology is involved. In the first subject area: organizations, commercial firms have adapted to leverage technology by moving from hierarchies to flat and networked organizational structures. Force XXI proposes a "flattened" organization to achieve efficiencies through information technology. In procedures, the Army and commercial organizations face similar challenges: micromanagement and information overload. In the Army, most C2 procedures stem from the military decision-making process. Commerce uses similar procedures to address the two challenges and achieve greater effectiveness. In communications, commercial firms insist on interoperability, flexibility, upgrade- ability, and portability. Commonly used technologies, such as the Internet and Microsoft Windows and Office usually drive the baseline of compatibility. Force XXI implements a number of systems which perform similar functions.

ADA 395081 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)