Does U.S. Army Humint Doctrine Achieve Its Objectives? What Have Iraq and Afghanistan Taught Us?
Abstract
The most vital source of National Intelligence information is derived from Human Intelligence (HUMINT). HUMINT, the eldest intelligence discipline, has proven to be a force multiplier for commanders during the Global War on Terrorism. As the Army downsizes its forces, refocuses priorities, and prepares for its Army 20/20 vision, it will need to ensure that HUMINT remains at the forefront. In the coming years, the Army plans to downsize its force by 80,000 troops; it also will shift its focus toward the Asia-Pacific region. As this transition happens, the Army should capitalize on its 10 years of operational experience. The Army currently possesses a large number of professional and experienced collectors, and it has a unique opportunity to analyze their knowledge to answer the following question: Does U.S. Army HUMINT doctrine achieve its objectives? To address this question, the author describes problems encountered by HUMINT in Iraq and Afghanistan. By identifying issues, the Army can adjust its doctrine and training to meet the changing needs of the nation. The author proposes that the Army restructure its HUMINT Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) to better fit current operations. This would improve the quality of the collector and eliminate shortcomings identified by HUMINT professionals.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA580160
Entities
People
- Walter A. Gonzales
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School