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Intelligence in support of strategic signal units
Military Intelligence Professional Bulletin, July-Sept, 2003 by James R. Lint
ASI. Creating an additional skill identifier (ASI) for all intelligence analyst positions requiring cyberthreat specialized skills would be one solution. Such specialization (while necessary) is opposite the direction the U.S. Army is going with consolidating MOSs and cutting ASIs. The Army has shrunk and needs more "bang for the buck" with multiskilled generalists.
Longer assignments for training. This is an interesting idea, but not feasible Armywide, specifically in short-tour areas. In three-year stabilized assignments, this might work, or at least it could provide a partial solution.
Reenlistment option with stabilization. This option would get motivated people who would be willing to make a commitment in return for the additional training. This might be the best option for units to maximize use of training dollars and, at the same time, have soldiers who may "go the extra mile" to keep current in the everchanging technology field.
Consolidation. This is pulling all MI personnel from the battalions to the brigade for a consolidated intelligence section. This option has potential for Combat Service and Combat Service Support units with few MI soldiers, often just a single MI soldier relegated to the personnel security and electronic personnel security questionnaire (EPSQ) mission. The Intelligence Analyst (MOS 96B) does not learn the EPSQ at school; who would perform it? Indeed, no MOS class learns this function. Since it is an administrative function, one could argue units should relocate this duty with the S1 and the Adjutant General Corps. By consolidating the 96Bs at brigade level, and pushing the intelligence processing of the battlespace, INTSUMs, and other intelligence products back down to the battalions, the Army may achieve more efficient employment of 96Bs. Today, the U.S. Army has the ability to push intelligence from brigade to the battalion. It is not necessary for 96Bs to be in the battalion to support it. After all, platoon, company, and battalion levels do not perform upper-echelon maintenance. In maintenance, the Army consolidates the function; why not also consolidate intelligence?
Distance Learning. Analysts and other personnel assigned to a field that is radically new for them (cyber-warfare), regardless of age, could obtain certification and training via distance learning from either the Intelligence or Signal Centers. This seems to be the most cost-effective method, as web-based learning sites can easily update with new technologies.
Conclusion
Whatever method or combination of methods are chosen, it is vital that the Army deliberately addresses the threat of cyber-warfare and properly trains intelligence personnel on this threat. At a recent briefing, the Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command (NETCOM), discussed situational awareness for the commander. As MI professionals, we must always ask what we have done today to improve the commander's situational awareness of all threats. At the same time, plan on improving the commander's situational awareness in the future.
