Silent Ruin

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 Written by Brian David Johnson
Creative Direction: Sandy Winkelman
Illustration: Don Hudson & Kinsun Lo
Brought to you by Army Cyber Institute at West Point
First Edition: 2018

PDF - 10 page - 17 Mb

Science Fiction Prototypes are science fiction stories based on future trends, technologies, economics and cultural change. The story you are about to read is based on threatcasting research from the Army Cyber Institute at West Point and Arizona State University. Our story does not shy away from a dystopian vision of tomorrow. Exploring these dark regions inspires us to build a better, stronger and more secure future for our Armed Forces. Our goal is to encourage individual action and motivate new explorations and research.

Technology is evolving faster and faster … but our military doctrine, organization, training, leadership, personnel, and education models are struggling to keep the same pace. Therefore, how do we inspire military innovation? Even the 1920s and 1930s U.S. military was able to successfully innovate with low military budgets and limited support which ultimately created huge impacts in World War II.

What if our adversaries have learned the lessons on military innovation over the last century and applied them to the future battlefield? What if they are embracing cyber and electronic warfare in their main order of battle? What if they are willing to incorporate change into their organizations? How might we fare against them on a future battlefield? How are you helping or hindering military innovation?

The views in this graphic novel are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, DOD, or the U.S. Government.

Lt. Col. Natalie Vanatta
U.S. Army, Cyber