The Integration of Operations and Intelligence

Getting combat information in a timely manner from the stovepipes of the intelligence world to the operators that require has been a problem for years. The process is not one that will improve unless both the Operations and Intelligence communities make a concerted effort to understand each other better. In this paper I will use a combination of primary and secondary sources, along with personal interviews, to establish a historic recap of both good and bad examples of Ops/Intel integration. I will then examine the current intelligence cycle and attempt to identify critical links between it and the operations world. These links will be the key in creating a synergy between Ops and Intel that is critical if the two disciplines are to be integrated effectively. The goal of the cycle should be to ensure that the final intelligence product accomplishes the objective it was initially intended for; that is, get pertinent information to the warfighter in a timeframe and format for him to exploit it. At this point it will become apparent that there are certain roadblocks that must be overcome in order to accomplish the previously stated goal. Identifying these roadblocks is only half of the problem. Offering reasonable solutions is the other half. My goal in the final portion of this paper is to do exactly that. I will offer simple cost-effective solutions aimed at dismantling some of the Ops/Intel integration roadblocks. In this age of shortened time-lines and information overload, the Ops/Intel team that works best together will own the 'information high ground.' This is an objective that is critical to success on the battlefield of tomorrow.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.