Theater Intelligence Training Needs a Renaissance
Abstract
Most theater exercises use scripted OPFOR activities to ensure that specific "blue force" training events occur on schedule. These theater exercises miss opportunities to train intelligence personnel and commanders and set unrealistic expectations about what intelligence can provide during actual combat operations. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the need for better intelligence training for intelligence personnel, commanders, and planners during theater exercises, and to provide recommendations to improve exercises to meet this requirement. The responsibilities of the Joint Task Force Commander and the JTF J-2 are explained along with the intelligence cycle. Doctrine guiding training on the intelligence cycle and arguments for that training during theater exercises are given. An overview of how the JCS training authority - JFCOM - supports theater exercises is provided, along with the ingredients of JFCOM intelligence support for theater exercises. Intelligence training shortcomings and unrealistic expectations regarding intelligence deliverables are discussed. Real world examples of theater exercises are provided to illustrate and explain the limited role that JFCOM plays in theater exercises. Finally, the paper discusses improvements already being made in this training process, and offers specific recommendations for additional improvements to better prepare intelligence personnel and commanders to use intelligence in combat or other operations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 09, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA422699
Entities
People
- Jon R. Olson
Organizations
- Naval War College