“Intel drives operations.”
For a certain Marine Brigadier General of my acquiantance, that sentence was pretty much axiomatic. So it was with interest that I read this Washington Times article about noted muddy-boots snake eater LGEN Stanley McChrystal – the SOCOM commander so invested in his peoples’ success that he often accompanies them on the battlefield. He “goes on raids,” the linked article says, and personally headed out to witness the site where Abu Mus’b al Zarqawi, that rude beast, shuffled off these mortal coils the better to catch the judgment train.
However his presence might contribute (or not) to the morale of those highly trained field operators, this little plum from within the article makes an interesting point: When you’re hunting bugs, it’s useful to know where they hide. For that, you need tactical intelligence.
The “intel groups” represent part of Gen. McChrystal’s domain. He oversees a task force that includes JSOC, as well as a special intelligence group that specializes in intercepting communications and the “Night Stalkers” aviation unit. The group is augmented by intelligence officers, including the CIA and Defense Intelligence Agency.
The task force’s special intelligence unit cinched the kill. Once Jordanian agents identified Zarqawi’s clerical adviser, a frequent visitor to the al Qaeda in Iraq leader, the intelligence unit used special technical means to track his whereabouts. On June 7, the unwitting accomplice ended up on the front door of the terrorist’s hide-out. JSOC has used the technical means to track and capture scores of Zarqawi henchmen.
Hats off the to the quiet professionals of the military and civilian intelligence services: They don’t pull the trigger and they don’t point the weapon – they point the warriors.
Nothing good happens without them, and they’re damn good at their jobs. Having seen what they can do, I know that I would never know a moments rest if a team of these folks had it in mind to do me in.
Intel drives operations. And it never sleeps.
So right Lex, the “Quiet Warriors.”
Successful with their own trusted intel networks, including both civilian and military. People who put mission before turf boundaries, and take pride in the warfighter’s success. So obviously the way to go. No place for inPlammable loose cannons.
These folks are so good at what they do one wonders if “tactical intel” is not driving “strategic intel” by creating a permanent local vacuum of dead bad guys that the insurgents foolishly keep throwing cannon fodder at, making the ‘flypaper’ theory become actual fact.
/With no thanks to the useless, simpering, zampolit leakers at the CIA, NYT, etc. We’ll just have to win without ya.
An 0-9 going on raids is ludicrous… whats next the Sec.Def. doing bomb damage assessments? Best
“They don?
“They don’t pull the trigger and they don’t point the weapon – they point the warriors.”
Great quote, I like that.
Snake Eater,
Don’t believe all you read.
Lex,
Thanks.
Just an FYI, Mercyhurst College Institute For Intelligence Studies in Erie PA has undergrad and grad program in intel. I’m a current undergrad looking into a “point the warriors” career when I graduate this spring.
http://www.mciis.org/
..and bad intel drives bad operations.
Thanks, Lex. Always nice to hear that we’re appreciated by those closer to the “pointy end” of the spear.
Thanks Sir, from a proud Naval Security Group vet.
Zane, I’ve been aroung too long not to be cynical about the actions of senior officers, in this case a very senior officer, attempting to relive his salad days. Accordingly,my comment failed to convey my take on the 0-9 aspect of this story which reeked of pure PR Bull S..t. Best
I had the good fortune of working for CPT(P) Stan McChrystal at FT Stewart, GA, in 1985. He was the battalion S3 of 3rd Battalion, 19th Infantry and I was a brand new captain in the S3 shop (He jokingly called me the S3 Coffee). I can say Stan McChrystal was a great leader. He served well in that position. The idea thathe was on the ground not long after an event like that does not surprise me. We used to joke that he would be found out on the LP/OP line checking with the troops.
Some would say he was micromanaging….I have known and worked for micromanagers and Stan McChrystal is the not one.
Albany Rifles, Not to belabor the point… but in my opninion, a Batallion S-3 (Operations Officer) checking an LP/OP line WITH the company commander of the troops involved is part of his, the S-3s, staff responsibilities and totally appropriate. What the 0-9 reportedly did in Iraq was not. Best
PS, Operating independently at the extreme end of the spear is part of what attracts individuals to Special Operations.