| Ongoing military intelligence education is critical to | | | | Effective military intelligence provides indications and |
| ensure that military intelligence professionals stay on | | | | warning intelligence while also serving as a deterrent |
| the leading edge of strategic security issues around | | | | to prevent the outbreak of war or providing early |
| the globe. | | | | warning to surprise attack. |
| For the most part, military intelligence education | | | | Imagery intelligence (IMINT) uses airborne |
| focuses on the same type of training received from | | | | reconnaissance and surveillance operations to gather |
| civilian intelligence education programs, but with more | | | | photo, radar, infrared, or electro'optical data. |
| emphasis on military objectives and tactical | | | | Signals intelligence (SIGINT) gathers and analyzes |
| intelligence. | | | | enemy radio/radar transmissions and emissions in a |
| The goal of military intelligence is the acquisition and | | | | type of electronic warfare. This form of intelligence |
| analysis of information on the enemy's plans and | | | | collection tends to be highly technical in nature. |
| intentions, combat capabilities and limitations, and its | | | | Human intelligence (HUMINT) is used to develop and |
| own intelligence collection. | | | | conduct collection operations from human sources. |
| Three Components of Military Intelligence There are | | | | Whether it is an operative within a foreign agency or |
| three basic components of military intelligence, | | | | an outside source, the information acquired is |
| operational, tactical and strategic intelligence. Human | | | | information that is difficult or impossible to gather |
| Intelligence (HUMINT), Imagery Intelligence (IMINT) | | | | from technical sources. |
| and Signal Intelligence (SIGINT) are used to achieve | | | | Whether military intelligence is used to analyze images |
| all of these components. Military intelligence needs of | | | | of enemy positions, listen to their communications, or |
| today are complex and require the skills of all | | | | investigate suspected espionage attempts, it is used |
| intelligence disciplines and intelligence analysis skills | | | | every day to defend national security and the US |
| (also known as "all-source intelligence"). | | | | armed forces around the world. A cutting-edge |
| Operational intelligence permits the commander on | | | | military intelligence education provides military analysts |
| the battlefield to see the significance of terrain, | | | | with mission-relevant intelligence skills. |
| weather, and the enemy situation. Tactical intelligence | | | | Receiving a military education is paramount so that |
| helps provide soldiers with knowledge they need on | | | | military analyst can learn "how to think" vs. "what to |
| the front lines. | | | | think." Knowledge in terrorist techniques, weapons of |
| Strategic intelligence provides a basis for plans and | | | | mass destruction and operational security are just a |
| strategy for domestic and foreign policy. Strategic | | | | few examples of what is used when gathering |
| intelligence helps to uncover information about foreign | | | | military intelligence. A degree in intelligence |
| governments and non-state actors (like terrorist | | | | management helps form some of the basis for this |
| groups) that enhance the ability of national | | | | knowledge used in military intelligence and in the |
| decisionmakers to make knowledgeable and effective | | | | strategic security industry. |
| policy choices. | | | | |