Beyond the Schoolhouse: A Military Intelligence Officer's Lessons from Security Assistance Group-Ukraine

Learn how MI professionals adapt to three-dimensional warfare, supporting air defense units against modern missile threats.

By Major Aaron Lawless

Senior intelligence officers must craft engaging enemy narratives in large-scale combat operations. This article presents techniques from the 1st Infantry Division: answer four key questions (enemy COA, situation, dilemmas, decision points), use familiar structure, speak in commander's language, and weave a central "golden thread" throughout briefs to maintain shared understanding across dispersed formations.

By Lieutenant Colonel Matthew J. Fontaine

A ROK Army liaison officer at USAICoE argues that professional military writing — energized by the Harding Project — is a strategic advantage, urging soldiers of all ranks to share field experience to close the persistent gap between doctrine and operational reality.

By LTC Jiwon Kang, Korean Liaison officer to USAICoe, Republic of Korea Army

1st Armored Division intelligence teams synchronize rear area operations during Warfighter Exercise 25-01, establishing battle rhythm events, a rear area intelligence cell, and clear roles across the RCP, MEB, and DSB to build a common intelligence picture.

By Major Joseph Marchand and Captain Tommy Milton

In this article, the author shares valuable insights from his own journey as a newly minted first lieutenant in military intelligence. He emphasizes that the role is about more than just technical skills; it's about leveraging relationships, exercising judgment under pressure, and seeking guidance from experienced team members.

By Captain Mason J. Aldridge

The article details the challenges and successes of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) Task Force Guardian S-2 team during their nine-month deployment in support of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve. Using the metaphor of a boxing match, the article illustrates how the team navigated a complex operational environment filled with threats and competing demands.

By Major Phillip G. Johnson Jr., Captain Justin R. Carlson, Captain Kyle C. Nielsen, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christopher M. Dolinsky, and Sergeant First Class Wesley E. Hamm

U.S. military forces struggle to integrate intelligence with information advantage activities. The 151st Theater Information Advantage Group's deployments to EUCOM and INDOPACOM exposed key gaps, while offering recommendations for data-driven operations and information superiority.

By COL Jonathan S. Steinbach, MAJ Amy R. Forza, and MAJ Scott Fisher (retired)

The article discusses the 3rd Infantry Division's implementation of a strike cell within its division artillery to improve targeting capabilities during large-scale combat operations, as demonstrated during a recent command post exercise (CPX III). This strike cell enhanced coordination between intelligence and fires operations, allowing for rapid targeting and effective use of resources. This also improved situational awareness and reduced the time from sensor to shooter.

By Major General Christopher Norrie, Colonel Shawn Bault, Lieutenant Colonel Marcus O’Neal, Major John Hornecker, and Captain Xavier Ehresman

This article examines XVIII Airborne Corps' experimentation with the Army Intelligence Data Platform (AIDP) during Warfighter Exercise 24-05. It analyzes AIDP's capabilities in achieving shared understanding, supporting targeting operations, and enabling real-time intelligence production, while identifying challenges in knowledge management, system interoperability, and single-source intelligence integration for future battlefield operations.

By Chief Warrant Officer 3 John Bartlett

This article details V Corps' strategies from Avenger Triad 24 for integrating tactical intelligence collection into operational plans during large-scale combat operations. Facing sophisticated enemy defenses and limited assets, V Corps innovated intelligence handover processes, prioritized collection requests, and integrated non-intelligence assets, including territorial defense forces and cyberspace effects, to enhance battlefield visualization and targeting.

By Major Brian Caniano

This article details how the 11th Airborne Division's G-2 collection management team successfully integrated NIPRGPT, a Department of Defense artificial intelligence tool, to streamline their Information Collection Synchronization Matrix development. It provides practical guidance on accessing AI platforms, crafting effective prompts, and leveraging large language models to enhance military staff processes.

By Major Wesley Wood and Sergeant Derrion Robinson

V Corps participated in exercises WFX 24-03 and Avenger Triad 24, advancing NATO interoperability through combined operations and integrated mission command systems. Despite technical challenges across multinational forces, the G-2 successfully used communication tools and simulations to create shared intelligence pictures, demonstrating improved collaboration and intelligence-sharing protocols for future operations.

By Major Robert Deitz

The article discusses the role and capabilities of the 525th Expeditionary-Military Intelligence Brigade (E-MIB) during the XVIII Airborne Corps Warfighter Exercise 24-05 in August 2024. It highlights how the E-MIB HQ serves as a crucial command and control (C2) "anchor point" for military intelligence operations, managing and integrating intelligence elements from various units to support corps and division operations in large-scale combat scenarios.

By COL Jared “Jay” Harty and MAJ Fred Christopherson III

This article examines the 302nd Intelligence and Electronic Warfare (IEW) Battalion's participation in Warfighter Exercise 24-05 with the 101st Airborne Division. As a recently activated unit, the battalion tested and refined its operational concepts, roles, and responsibilities while adapting to new intelligence technologies and processes.

By Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Polanco; Jr.; Major Kyle Millard; Major Nicholas Pena; and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert G. Entenmann II

This article explores how the U.S. Army Sustainment Command integrates intelligence support into global sustainment operations, emphasizing predictive analysis, open-source intelligence, and coordination with partner organizations to mitigate threats and ensure mission success.

By Lieutenant Colonel Alexander D. Corbin, Captain Ariel Ayala, Captain Tyler Eagan, and Captain John Seman