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 .