Principles and Structure of Military Intelligence

Question 1

Introduction (Military Intelligence)

Answer 1

Military Intelligence is evaluated and interpreted information concerning a possible or actual enemy or theatre of operation including terrain and weather together with the conclusions drawn there from, it includes also the denial to enemy or potential enemy of similar information concerning our own situation, capabilities and intentions.

Question 2

Role of Military Intelligence

Answer 2

1. Supplement in acquisition effort at national level.
2. Study and analyze the capabilities and vulnerabilities of other nations.
3. Evaluate assessment of operational capabilities of enemy forces.
4. Assist in evolution of plans and execution of mil ops in TBA (Tactical Battle Areas).
5. Coordinate and conduct all prophylactic security (Preventive Security Measure) and Counter Int Ops.

Question 3

Principles of Intelligence

Answer 3

Good Int should be looked upon as an essential, if not the most important single ingredient of success in battle. To ensure the most successful use of this ingredient, the principles of int given in the subsequent paragraphs must always be borne in mind.

1. Central Coordination: All int agencies must be centrally directed and coordinated. In particular, there must not be any risk of competition or rivalry between various agencies or sources. Int agencies must not be allowed to work as parallel organizations trying to steal a march over each other. Central direction at the highest level ensures that there is no dissipation or duplication of effort nor any danger of false confirmation.
2. Continuity: The flow of info must be continuous to enable int staff to form a progressively complete picture of the enemy situation. For example, with a long interval of time between two sorties of the same area may not reveal information about enemy defenses, whereas in reality enemy def may have been constructed and camouflaged during the gap. There should be no gap in the supply of info.
3. Cooperation: Troops in contact with the enemy are the main collectors of info in war. their active cooperation in passing info to int staff is essential if int staffs are to carry out their task successfully. Int staff must, therefore, maintain closest liaison with lower, flanking and higher formations and cooperation with one another as well as with other branches of the staff and with naval and air force int staff.
4. Integrity: int must be hundred percent honest. Reporting must be objective. A fact as seen must be reported. Reports must not be garnished or exaggerated. The originator must not tailor info in attempt to seek agreeable acceptance by the recipient. Whenever int staff has to express opinions based on different info, or the lack of it, they must always make this deficiency clear to the recipient. For all types of int work, officers should be selected more for their integrity than brilliance.
5. Logical Reasoning: Facts must be presented as they are, and they should speak for themselves. Deductions made should be logical and base entirely on facts. Sweeping conclusions should not be made from one solitary fact but evidence should be sought from corroborative factors before reaching a firm conclusion. A fact must not be rejected because it does not fit into an assessment already made, nor must facts and deduction from them be distorted to fit into a pre-conceived theory.
6. Timeliness: However, good the int may be, it is of no value unless it has been produced in time for the recipient to act on it. The production of such int is only possible if int staffs plan ahead and arrange efficient means of communication.
7. Protection of Sources: Adequate precautions must be taken to protect certain sources, for example civil sources, in en or occupied territory, or they may become compromised and their value lost. This should in fact be an article of faith with the int satff.
8. Need to Know: This is essentially a security principle. It demands that info may only be passed to those who really need to know it for the performance of their duties. Rank, seniority and experience are all overruled by this principle. No one need, be given classifies info until the need to know has been established.
9. Info Must Be Passed Through Proper Int Channel: Int staffs have all the available info at their disposal and are therefore in the best position to assess the merits of a specific item. It follows, therefore, that info must be passed through int channels in order to avoid a distorted view being presented by those who only have a part of info.

Question 3

Structure of Military Intelligence

Answer 3

1. Offensive:
   a. Strategic
   b. Tactical/Battle/Combat
   c. Special:
   (i) Espionage
   (ii) Sabotage
   (iii) Subversion
2. Defensive
   a. Preventive:
   (i) Security:
   - Civil
   - Military
   (ii) Deception:
   - Counter Espionage
   - Counter Sabotage
   - Counter Subversion
   b. Deception and Neutralization

Question 3

Conclusion

Answer 3

Int has been a regrettable fact of history that cdrs have at times, either not been provided with accurate and timely int, or even worse, refused to take cognizance of such int. The latter has invariably occurred when the int provided was contrary to the pre-conceived ideas of such cdrs.