Intelligence Transformation: Beyond Paradigm Shifts, Changes in Ethos

Military Intelligence Professional Bulletin, Oct-Dec, 2000 by Charles Atkins

We are well into implementing the "Army 2010" vision and achieving related transformation objectives. Army Intelligence transformation efforts are synchronized and essential to achieving the Army's vision of "Soldiers on point for the Nation, transforming the most respected army in the world into a strategically responsive force that is dominant across the full spectrum of operations."

As the Intelligence Community transforms, we are experiencing changes that go beyond patterns, models, systems, and technologies. Concurrent with these changes, we are witnessing a fundamental examination of what underlies and actuates the character of who we are as intelligence professionals. We--the entire Intelligence Community--are transforming the "intelligence ethos."

At first glance, this might sound hollow, but there is real substance to this change. The most recent doctrine in FM 3-0 (formerly FM 100-5), Operations, now recognizes information (this includes intelligence) as an element of combat power. The struggle for information superiority is now an enabling part of our operational paradigm. Furthermore, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) is an interdependent contributor to achieving information superiority. Together, these changes further elevate the importance of intelligence and provide a significant challenge for intelligence professionals.

The Human Dimension

We are all familiar with the changes occurring in the nature of the threats to our operations. Our potential opponents will improve their military capabilities and tactics based on lessons learned as a result of observing U.S. military operations. They will use or threaten to use biotechnology, microelectronics, and information technologies to gain an advantage, "flank" our advanced systems, and negate our overmatch. The advantage we currently enjoy in information technology will decrease in the future because of cheaper and faster improvements in commercial technologies that cause information equality rather than superiority. Widespread access to information and communications will characterize the global information environment--a truly transparent architecture. This will continue the trend toward the ability to know what is occurring around the world almost simultaneously. The combination of commercial availability and decreased cost of off-the-shelf reconnaissance and surveillance (R&S) assets, including space-based systems, will allow potential opponents to maintain a robust ISR capability without the associated investment in research and development.

If this assessment of our future is accurate, how do we dominate the threat in full-spectrum operations? The answer lies in not only grappling with future technologies but also making a proportionate investment in our most valuable assets--our soldiers, civilians, and contractor personnel.

The Army has already recognized the need for changes in our operational paradigm and "warrior ethos" as acknowledged by the current transformation effort and as captured in the new doctrine in FM 3-0. Our ability to gain and to maintain intelligence overmatch in the expanding "Red Zone" and at tactical and operational deep zones in any conflict underpins our operational overmatch. For us to meet this "tall order," we can no longer see ourselves as simply supporters of combat operations; we must see ourselves rather as integrated members of the battle command team at every echelon. This role requires renewed self-awareness and preparedness.

Our Evolving Ethos

To achieve the desired end-state, we must look at ourselves in a new light and, at the same time, we should present ourselves in a new way. Several critical ideas for achieving this end-state should include--

* Mentally and doctrinally codifying intelligence as an integral part of all operations. This is especially important within the complex environments that have been present in recent operations. The basis of this change is successfully assessing and planning the future across the broad scope of doctrine, training, leader development, organization, materiel, and soldiers (DTLOMS) to become truly integrated. This concept marks a subtle yet significant departure from the idea of "intelligence support" and intelligence as a combat support branch. We must thoroughly integrate intelligence with baffle command in all aspects, at all echelons, in every instance.

* Clearly articulating (repeatedly, if necessary) the concept that the human dimension, to include continuous learning and career development, is the essential component of our branch. This idea should form the basis for our most fundamental value--investing in our professionals.

* Reinventing ourselves as adaptive analysts capable of successfully performing analysis against a threat using asymmetric means in a difficult and unique environment for which we may have never received any training. At the same time, we must integrate with and provide adequate intelligence for sophisticated information operations. In macro terms, we are the ultimate advocates for the threat and environment ("Red" and "Gray"), and we must maintain a solid foundation of skills in order to succeed. We must be proficient and flexible enough to perform our core tasks (for example, intelligence preparation of the battlefield [IPB], situation development, and integration with targeting) to standard for any environment.