Flexibility Versus Expertise: A Closer Look at the Employment of United States Air Force Imagery Analysts
Abstract
The demand for intelligence produced from airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance platforms has greatly increased in recent years and will likely continue to growin the future. This places significant pressure upon Air Force imagery analysts to exhibit expertise in multiple disciplines including full-motion video, electro-optical still imagery, synthetic aperture still imagery, multi-spectral imagery, and hyper-spectral imagery. The training and skill sets required for each of these disciplines varies, but the greatest divergence is between full-motion video and all other forms of still imagery. This paper delves into three evaluation criteria expertise and tradecraft, training, and career development to determine possible impacts on the career field if a specific full-motion video discipline were to be created. The research reveals several positive aspects of this course of action but precautions would be required to mitigate potential negative effects as well. Many leaders and organizations are strictly pursuing technical, material solutions for this problem set but exploring the best way to manage the career field should also be pursued. More research should be conducted if Air Force leadership chose to pursue this action to prepare the imagery intelligence workforce for future warfighter requirements.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1047475
Entities
People
- Jennifer A. Hollock
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College