Information Flow and Use
CIS/207
May 17, 2012
Instructor: Joe Moore

Information Flow and Use

The military’s methods of use of information, and how it is distributed is highly critical and simple. Majority of the information is put out the old fashion way, verbally! This method seems very prehistoric compared to now, but it is quite affective, and of course also comes with some disadvantages. Everyday information is verbally issued out starting at the top of the chain of command, and goes all the way down to the lowest ranking individual. This type of informational flow is used for little as details and tasks that need to be completed for the day, to tactical mission planning, and issuing commanding orders. This starts out by a high ranking official verbally giving the information to the next person that is ranked directly under him. The purpose of this is so the person receiving the orders hears it straight from the commander’s mouth. That way there is no misunderstanding about what is being said, and if unclear the issues can be addressed and understood. The importance of clearly understanding the given information can mean life or death on the battlefield. This process continues and branches out all the way to the last person. This method of information flow is extremely secure compared to telecommunication or even email. This makes it difficult to near impossible for enemy personnel to intercept the information. The down side of this method is it can be time consuming, and depending how high up the chain of command it’s coming from, the longer it can take to receive. This type of information is never stored anywhere on a data base or electronic document for later review. The person receiving the information writes everything down with pen and paper! Once distributed further down the line and almost memorized. The notes are then ripped up and burned, so there is no saving data or, a file like you would on a computer. Another way the flow of information is performed and distributed. It is still verbally given, but to mass amounts of people at once by an individual. A person of high rank will have up to hundreds of soldiers gather around him at once, as he puts out the information. This way it is quick, and there is no information being misconstrued. This method is not very secure for the confidentiality sake of what is being said. This information has to be put out very loudly so everyone can hear, and leaves a risk for unauthorized personnel to hear it also. Majority of the time this is not confidential information.