Process of Military Intelligence (Int Cycle)

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

*Combat or ops int is the knowledge of the enemy and the territory under his control as well as the characteristics of the enemy. This int provides a cdr with info and assessment (deductions) concerning the area of ops, enemy capabilities and vulnerabilities, so that he can determine their effect on his courses of action. In fact, this int is required by the cdr to determine the best use he should make of the resources available to him for the accomplishment of his mission. Combat int in short, is required for planning and executing all types of ops, which includes:

a. Enemy:
    (i) Orbat
    (ii) Intentions
    (iii) Activities
    (iv) Fighting efficiency
    (v) Info required by other branches of the 
    staff and services.
    (vi) Administrational services.
b. Topo Int.

*Remember, that the use of int is the justification for all int activities. Combat int is used in arriving at a decision and for improving the quality of the decision.

Question 2

Int Problem

Answer 2

*The int staff is responsible for the production of int, which will assist the cdr in the accomplishment of his mission. Their task therefore is to:

1. Anticipate the enemy’s reaction to the cdr’s plan.
2. To assess the enemy’s capability of influencing the cdr’s msn.
3. To assess the shape such a capability is likely to take.

*By doing the above, they will help the cdr in arrangement of the int problem. Once the cdr with the help of his staff has defined the int problem the next step is to acquire certain info about the enemy, collate and interpret it and make an estimate of the enemy’s capabilities and the probable enemy plan. This is achieved through the int process or int cycle.

Question 3

Int Cycle (Steps)

Answer 3

1. Int Problem: Defining and identifying the int problem.
2. Assessment: An assessment based on available info, of the enemy’s capabilities, to influence the attainment of the cdr’s msn.
3. Collection: Planning and supervising collection of those items of info about the enemy, which are lacking?
4. Acquisition: Procurement of the required info from/by various agencies.
5. Collation: Sorting and evaluating info collected by agencies and sources.
6. Interpretation: Assessing the true significance of the info received.
7. Synthesis: Integrating interpreted info into int already available and making an assessment of the probable course of action or plan of the enemy.
8. Dissemination: Distribution of info to those who need it through the most suitable means.

Question 4

Conclusion

Answer 4

The activities given above are not separate actions taking place in watertight compartments, but each following the other in continuous and logical sequence. This forms a continuous cycle in which each preceding event should give rise to the one following it. The cycle is set in motion by the cdr after he has been given his men and it completes one revolution with the dissemination of int collected as a result of the int problem posed by the cdr. This is explained diagrammatically on the following page.

Question 5

Int Cycle (Cdr’s Aim)

Answer 5

1. Collection Planning
   a. Requirements
   b. Priorities
   c. Order & request
   d. Supervision
2. Acquisition
   a. Troops
   b. Sources
   c. Agencies
   d. Specialists
3. Collation
   a. Reception
   b. Evaluation
   c. Recording
4. Interpretation
   a. Identification
   b. Integration
   c. Deduction
5. Synthesis
   a. Review of enemy situation
   b. Estimate of enemy capacity
   c. Consideration of enemy’s aim
   d. Appreciation of enemy’s method
6. Dissemination
   a. Internal
   (i) Briefing
   (ii) Reviews
   (iii) Appreciation
   (iv) Circulation
   b. External
   (i) Appreciation
   (ii) Intreps
   (iii) Isums
   (iv) Sup Intreps
   (v) Sitreps
   (vi) Reports