1 Running head: Actionable Intelligence UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
2 Running head: Actionable Intelligence UNCLASSIFIED
H100 Compare and Contrast Essay
MSG Pedro Guevara
United States Army Sergeants Major Academy
SGM Turpin
14 December 2010
UNCLASSIFIED
3 Running head: Actionable Intelligence UNCLASSIFIED
Actionable Intelligence
Intelligence has always been valuable in order to achieve mission success. There have
been various techniques used by military units to obtain actionable intelligence. Today’s
techniques have changed compared to those used in earlier conflicts.
Obstacle Considerations
Collecting intelligence may differ depending on the environment. The terrain plays a
huge factor on how military forces collect intelligence. It may be slightly difficult collecting
intelligence in the jungles of Vietnam, Panama, or the mountains of Afghanistan than it would in
Kuwait, Germany, or Bosnia. If satellite images or other aerial capabilities hinder the ability to
collect intelligence due to terrain, combatant commanders will not have the information to assist
in making sound decisions.
In Iraq, it is a unique conflict compared to any war in the past. In past, American forces
could identify the enemy forces by their uniforms and vehicles. When fighting insurgents, it is
difficult for American and Coalition forces to distinguish who the enemy is. They usually wear
the same clothing as local nationals.
Culture can assist in collecting actionable intelligence by interacting with the populace.
In order for that to take place, American forces have to win the hearts and minds of the people.
Local nationals are a good source of information whether in small villages, towns, or large cities.
Some people are afraid to say anything in fear for their lives. These types of cultures
tend to remain silence and attempt to go on with their everyday lives. They would rather look
the other way and deny assistance to friendly forces making it difficult to collect any valuable intelligence.
UNCLASSIFIED
4 Running head: Actionable Intelligence UNCLASSIFIED
Favorable Techniques
Reconnaissance continues to be an effective way to collect intelligence as it was during
the Civil War. The Union used their cavalry to find the Army of Northern Virginia on its
invasion of the North. At the same time, the Confederate’s cavalry employed counter-
reconnaissance to screen the Union in attempt to hide Robert E. Lee’s movements.
The purpose for Reconnaissance remains the same today as it did the past. That is to
collect enemy intelligence to determine their location, their disposition and intention, to collect
their capabilities and possible future activity. Visual means was a way to collect intelligence as
Soldiers crossed behind enemy lines.
Although today Reconnaissance teams conduct their mission on foot, light-armored vehicles or helicopters instead of horses, it remains as crucial component of the military.
Developed in 1986, the Long Range Surveillance Leaders Course was to train Airborne, Air
Assault, Light and Special Reconnaissance in the latest reconnaissance techniques.
In July 2002, the course was renamed the Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leader
Course. It continues to develop Officers and Noncommissioned Officers whose primary mission
is to conduct reconnaissance operations. Today, Reconnaissance operations include patrolling
by troops such as rangers, scouts, or military intelligence. Ships or submarines, manned or
unmanned aircraft, satellites are other means of Reconnaissance.
Interrogation is one of the most sought out ways to collect information from captured
enemy personnel. There are three purposes for conducting interrogation. They are to collect
military information, converting the individual or breaking his will.
War World II was the first time that the United States used trained interrogators. The
training was located in Camp Ritchie, Maryland and initially consisted of Germany Natives who
UNCLASSIFIED
5 Running head: Actionable Intelligence UNCLASSIFIED
had fled to America in the early 1930s. They were very successful in their abilities to obtain
information from Nazis Soldiers.
Most people associate interrogation with torture. In July 1929, the United States signed
the Geneva Convention. Guy Stern of the Ritchie Boys had a theory that using torture can be
ineffective. A prisoner may say anything to relieve himself of the pain of torture even give false
information.
During the Vietnam War, many Americans were tortured while they were prisoners of
war regardless of the Geneva Convention. Clubs, rifle butts, rubber whips, and other means that
inflicted pain were used in hopes to uncover information from the Americans.
Measure of Effectiveness
In the early wars, American forces relied heavily on intelligence gathering. They used
reconnaissance teams, informants, local nationals, and interrogation to obtain information about
the enemy. They were successful in many ways but very limited on the type of intelligence they
gathered compared to today’s ability to collect actionable intelligence.
Prior to collecting intelligence, there were lessons learned before anyone considered how
valuable intelligence can be for mission success. For example, during the War of 1812,
American Soldiers crossed into Canada without maps that ended in a fiasco. General Zachary
Taylor’s lack of reconnaissance allowed his forces to be taken by surprise at Buena Vista.
The gathering of intelligence in the early days continues to play a major role during those
conflicts. Commanders exploited whatever intelligence their reconnaissance teams could gather
and used that information to assist in them in making decisions.
UNCLASSIFIED
6 Running head: Actionable Intelligence UNCLASSIFIED
Today, the methods of collecting actionable intelligence have increased dramatically.
Today, there are intelligence analysts, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), satellites, electronic
warfare, cryptography and reconnaissance teams just to name a few.
The methods have changed compared to the early wars, thus, giving commanders a larger
vast of intelligence. Many times one or more methods are use simultaneously. They continue to
give commanders valuable intelligence in order for commanders to plan their missions.
Actionable intelligence continues to be valuable in finding many high value targets in
Iraq. Saddam Hussein, who hid in a hole in the ground, was later captured by information
collected by American forces. Saddam’s brothers were also found and killed during a firefight
by intelligence report that witness them going into a house.
Conclusion
Actionable intelligence continues to be as important today as it was during the earlier
wars. It is valuable information that commanders can use to assist them in making critical
decisions. The culture and environment play a vital role in collecting intelligence.
Reconnaissance and interrogation are two ways to collect enemy information. Many wars have
been successful due to the gathering of intelligence. As intelligence continues to improve, the
measure of effectiveness also improves.
UNCLASSIFIED
7 Running head: Actionable Intelligence UNCLASSIFIED
References
Citing information. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/vietnam/trenches
/mia.htm
Citing information. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.history.army.mil/books/Lineage
/mi/ch1.htm
Citing information. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/cavalry_in_
the_American_Civil_War
UNCLASSIFIED