Operational Intelligence in the Joint Arena: A Clear Sense of Direction

摘要

The range of military operations is wide, touching many missions each withvarying and unique requirements. In order to provide a coherent response, recent doctrine has emphasized an enhanced structure under the Joint Forces commander (JFC) in order to optimize unity of effort and unified action. At the Operational level, the JFC J-2 is responsible for ensuring appropriate intelligence support to the JFC and subordinate commands. As part of this, supporting joint intelligence doctrine further charges the JFC J-2 with providing relevant intelligence in response to JFC-developed requirements. However, structuring a support organization to respond to intelligence requirements may limit the J-2's initiative to anticipate requirements. For this reason, the JFC J-2 must beware of using intelligence doctrine as an ideal in itself. He or she must still independently divine and anticipate the overarching Operational Intelligence and Operational-level Intelligence'. needs intrinsic to the JFC's success. Moreover, he or she must clearly articulate the role of intelligence at the Operational level in order to implement a supporting framework.