The Network Integrated Evaluation (NIE) 12.1 is the second in a series of semi-annual field exercises designed to evaluate, integrate and mature the Army’s tactical network.During the evaluation, the Army will integrate and assess network and non-network capabilities and determine their implications across Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership and Education, Personnel and Facilities (DOTMLPF).Doctrinal results from the July 2011 NIE have shown two broad network findings: First, the Army lacks soldier-level connectivity and unit mission command capabilities and, second, the Army must develop comprehensive requirements accordingly.The development of these requirements will provide a much needed direction to the Army materiel enterprise and provide common criteria against which hand-held and other mission command solutions can be evaluated in future NIEs.Recent notices issued to industry focus on these two critical capabilities, as will future NIE activities.The NIE 12.1 evaluation began Oct. 31, and concluded Nov. 19. It involved nearly 3,800 soldiers and 1,000 vehicles from the 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division.The NIEs primary purpose is to continue required evaluations in support of "Program of Record" milestones while advancing integration and understanding of the objective and bridge Army network architectures.It will also continue to establish the Objective Integrated Network Baseline, common connectivity across the brigade combat team structure, and introduce industry participation in the NIE evaluation cycle.The results of the second NIE will build off lessons learned from the June and July NIE evaluation in order to support the Army’s holistic focus to integrate network components simultaneously in one operational venue.NIE 12.2, the third of the series, will take place in spring 2012 and will focus on solidifying the network baseline with the formal addition of WIN-T Increment 2, the Army’s on-the-move, satellite-based network connectivity.Establishing the NIE helped the Army employ a new, agile acquisition process and now gives the Army a new strategy to keep pace with industry and technological network advances.This also accelerates the pace of network modernization to a rate unachievable by traditional acquisition strategies.The NIE has enabled an Army ability to integrate network hardware and software up front prior to deployment – this will lessen the integration challenges faced by deployed units. (Based on information from the Department of the Army.)