Civil Network Development (CND) is the Civil Affairs process of identifying, mapping, and building relationships with key individuals, groups, and organizations that influence the civil environment. These networks—comprised of formal institutions, informal leaders, and functional systems—are essential for understanding how the civil domain operates and how it can be influenced or supported during military operations.
Unlike general outreach or engagement, CND is strategic. It’s about deliberately cultivating relationships that enhance operational reach, improve situational awareness, and support both immediate and long-term mission objectives.
For new 38G officers, this mission plays directly to your strengths. With your civilian sector experience, you’re uniquely positioned to identify stakeholders others might overlook, validate relationships, and build technical credibility within civil networks.
🎯 Key Functions of Civil Network Development
(Derived from FM 3-57, Paragraphs 1-28 to 1-29)
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
| Stakeholder Identification | Systematically identifies formal and informal actors—government agencies, NGOs, religious leaders, community influencers, and private entities. |
| Network Mapping | Uses tools like ASCOPE and PMESII-PT to visualize connections and influence within the civil domain. |
| Relationship Building | Develops trust-based connections with key stakeholders through repeated engagement and demonstrated value. |
| Operational Linkages | Integrates civil networks into the planning and execution of operations to improve cooperation and mission outcomes. |
| Continuity and Handover | Maintains updated records and contact continuity to ensure institutional memory, especially during transitions between CA teams. |
🧠 How 38Gs Support Civil Network Development
As a Functional Specialist, your insight into specific sectors—economics, infrastructure, health, education, governance—helps ensure that CA teams are not just identifying the “who,” but understanding the “how” and “why” behind each actor’s role in the local system.
Here’s how your skill set contributes:
| Example SI (Skill Identifier) | Your Role in CND |
|---|---|
| P9 – Economic Development | Identify local business networks, trade associations, microfinance institutions, and economic influencers. |
| P3 – Governance | Map out formal and informal governance actors, legal authorities, and dispute resolution mechanisms. |
| P4 – Public Health | Establish relationships with hospital administrators, ministry of health officials, and NGOs operating in health services. |
| P1 – Infrastructure | Build a network of local engineers, contractors, utility managers, and public works contacts. |
| P6 – Education | Connect with educators, school boards, academic institutions, and vocational training providers. |
38Gs help vet and validate these networks. Your professional background gives you a deeper understanding of how organizations function internally, and what makes relationships sustainable and effective over time.
Civil Network Development is how CA ensures that engagements aren’t just one-off meetings but part of a deliberate strategy to shape and stabilize the operational environment.
For commanders, these networks:
- Provide early warning and local insight
- Offer logistical and informational support
- Serve as trusted conduits for influence and cooperation
As a 38G, your role in CND helps ensure that the relationships Civil Affairs builds are sector-informed, technically sound, and operationally relevant.
CND is more than mapping names on a chart—it’s about understanding influence, trust, and systems. That’s where your expertise becomes critical.