Evolution of OPMS XXI: The Need to Specialize Military Intelligence Officers

摘要

OPMS XXI allows for the career progression of the Army's functional specialists. It facilitates the development of commissioned officer functional specialists to fill critical positions at the Major, LTC, and Colonel levels. This study argues that OPMS XXI needs to be revised. It argues that the current MI officer career development as a part of the Operations Career Field (CF) falls short of developing the intelligence expertise required of intelligence staff officers (S2/G2) at the tactical level. It fails to develop officers capable of confidently exercising the skills required to integrate at the tactical level all of the elements embedded in the Intelligence cycle---the planning and directing of IEW operations; IEW collection operations; the processing of information and data; the production of intelligence; and the dissemination of this intelligence. It argues that the Army needs to develop tactical military intelligence officers that specialize in the application of intelligence for a military based on force projection and capable of operating across the entire spectrum of conflict. Specifically, tactical military operations in the 21st century will require a much greater level of specialized expertise within the intelligence career field, and that assessment and specialized development of intelligence staff officers (S2/G2) should begin at the time of promotion to the grade of captain and attendance to the advance course. It will suggest a career model for military intelligence officers that may be applicable to other functional areas as well.