Pentagon Adopts ‘Department of War’ Title Amid Name Changes
President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order that designates the Department of Defense as the Department of War. This decision has already prompted the Pentagon’s IT agency to begin renaming various networks and infrastructure used for military missions globally, even as Congress has yet to formally debate the change.
During the Billington Cybersecurity Summit on September 14, 2023, Lt. Gen. Paul Stanton, leader of the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), discussed the implications of this shift. He noted that the newly named Department of War Information Network is fundamentally built on industry products, modified to meet specific combat requirements. “The DODIN today won’t be the DODIN tomorrow,” Stanton stated, emphasizing the need for continuous modernization to keep pace with evolving technology and adversarial threats.
The executive order allows for the use of the new title in communications, though the official designation remains the Department of Defense until Congress approves a formal change. Despite this, the nickname has rapidly gained traction. The Pentagon’s official website has transitioned from defense.gov to war.gov, and key social media accounts have followed suit. Notably, Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon’s top official, now refers to himself as the secretary of war.
As the Pentagon embraces this rebranding, there appears to be a lack of consistent guidance on how to implement these changes. This inconsistency could lead to confusion among private sector partners and allies who collaborate with the Defense Department. The agency’s rapid adoption of the new terminology has already resulted in awkward acronyms, such as “DOWNet” for a network previously known as the Department of Defense Network.
DISA plays a crucial role in maintaining communication networks for various U.S. military components, including the White House, combatant commands, and allied forces. Stanton acknowledged the complexity of the Defense Department’s telecommunications network, known as the Defense Information Systems Network (DISN), which is integral to operations both domestically and internationally.
Amid the discussions at the summit, Katie Arrington, who serves as the acting chief information officer for the Pentagon, highlighted the emotional context surrounding the name change. In her keynote address, she spoke about the implications of recent national tragedies, including the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, and the anniversary of the September 11 attacks. “Senseless violence is not acceptable by Americans, full stop,” Arrington stated, underscoring the department’s commitment to a more robust defense posture.
The executive order outlines that all executive departments and agencies must recognize and accommodate the use of secondary titles in their communications, provided they do not create confusion regarding statutory obligations. Despite this directive, questions remain about the permanence of the new names and acronyms. A spokesperson from DISA indicated that inquiries regarding name changes would be addressed by the Office of the Secretary of War Public Affairs, yet no further clarity was provided at this time.
While changing a social media handle or signage is a straightforward task, the rebranding of IT networks presents a more complicated challenge. The DISA continues to reference the term DODNet on its website, despite the push for rebranding. The transition process has already begun, with the Billington event agenda reflecting the new terminology, though official materials still maintained the traditional names and acronyms.
As the Pentagon navigates this significant shift, the long-term effects of the name change remain to be seen. The evolving landscape of defense communications will require careful management to avoid confusion among stakeholders and ensure operational effectiveness.
