US ARMY FM 34-8 Combat Commander's Handbook On Intelligence, 2ch

FM 34-8

CHAPTER 2

I N T E L L I G E N C E A N D T H E C O M M A N DE S T I M A T E P R O C E S S

By the word “information” we denote all theknowledge which we have of the enemy andhis country, therefore, it is in part the foun-dation of all our ideas and actions.

The Intelligence Cycle is the process by which information isconverted into intelligence. It has four phases: Directing, collect-ing, processing, and disseminating. Directing determines whatintelligence is required and who should collect it. Collecting ob-tains combat information, intelligence, and targets by tasked or-ganizations. Processing converts combat information intointelligence and targets through analysis, and determines how itfits into the situation. Disseminating passes the intelligence andtargets to users when they need them.

The process described in this chapter shows how a unit plansand executes the intelligence effort to support an operation. TheCommand Estimate Process is used to show how the IntelligenceBOS helps synchronize other BOSS. This example shows the in-telligence process applied to a brigade, but the same fundamentalprocess is applied at every echelon.

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MISSION IS RECEIVEDIntelligence Cycle Phase Directing

Commander’s Commander’sInteraction with the Intelligence Cycle Checklist

� • Begin the IPB process. CHECK - Do you andyour staff have the same

• You, the S3, the S2, and other key perception of the upcom-personnel discuss your common un- ing fight?derstanding of the battlefield. (SeeFigure 2-1, Common Under-standing).

• You and the S2 determine the ex-tent of the area of interest (AI).

● Identify all enemy units that you CHECK - Does the S2might engage. know all that you know

about the enemy situa-● The S2 identifies gaps in knowledge. tion?

● You identify which uncertaintiesmust be solved for this mission.

● Give the S2 your initial guidance for CHECK - Does the S2intelligence. (Focus his IPB effort.) understand your initialUsually, you have the S2 focus on guidance?analyzing COAs and reinforcementsavailable to the enemy commanderyou’re about to face.

FACTS AND ASSUMPTIONSIntelligence Cycle Phase: Directing

● The S2 continues IPB to produce CHECK - Did the S2 dis-the intelligence estimate: cuss the kinds of opera-

tions the area of operations(AO)wiIl support?

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Figure 2-1. The Common Understanding of the Battlefield.FACTS AND ASSUMPTIONS (continued)

Intelligence Cycle Phase

Commander’sInteraction with the Intelligence Cycle

º The S2 analyzes the environ-mental effects on enemy COAs.

° The S2 researches the knownenemy situation and how he nor-mally fights in similar situations(situation map, doctrinaltemplates).

° The S2 generates situationtemplates for each of theenemy’s COAs. He does this byintegrating the IPB products.(See Figure 2-2, IPB.)

Directing

Commander’sChecklist

CHECK - Did the S2cover what is knownabout the enemy YOUwill face?

CHECK - Did the S2focus the IPB per yourguidance?

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FACTS AND ASSUMPTIONS (continued)Intelligence Cycle Phase Directing

Commander’s CommandersInteraction with the Intelligence Cycle Checklist

• The S2 prepares most of the intel- CHECK:ligence estimate at this point. - Do the situation

templates make sensegiven the enemy’s situa-tion and your knowledgeof his tactics?

- Did the S2 prioritizethe enemy COAs logical-ly (most likely, mostdangerous, least likely)?

- Ask yourself, ‘If I werethe enemy S3/G3 forthat mission, whichCOAs would I presentto my commander?”

ANALYSIS OF HIGHER MISSION AND INTENTIntelligence Cycle Phase Directing

The S2 helps the rest of the staffconduct mission analysis. The S2should analyze tasks from theenemy’s perspective.

Except for paragraphs 5a (Effects of CHECK - Did the S2Intelligence on Friendly COAs) and brief the status of the5b (Effects of Area of Operations unit’s collection assets?on Friendly COAs), the S2 shouldbrief the intelligence estimatebefore the S3/XO briefs the missionanalysis. Paragraphs 5a and 5b

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ANALYSIS OF HIGHER MISSION AND INTENT (continued)Intelligence Cycle Phase: Directing

Commander's Commander’sInteraction with the Intelligence Cycle Checklist

require S3-developed friendly COAsand the S2 briefs these later as partof the staff recommendation.

COMMANDERS GUIDANCEIntelligence Cycle Phase: Directing

• In addition to other planningguidance, give the S2 instructionsabout aspects of the enemy thatyou’re most concerned about.Provide your guidance on intel-ligence collection and target acquisi-tion in terms of enemy, weather, andterrain. The S2 should make sureyour concerns are adequately ad-dressed in developing and analyzingfriendly COAs.

• Be sure to emphasize to the S2 howyou intend to employ your assets sothe S2 can anticipate the supportyou expect. For example, if you planto use cross-FLOT aviation opera-tions, the S2 should anticipate sup-port to Suppression of Enemy AirDefense (SEAD).

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COA DEVELOPMENTIntelligence Cycle Phase Directing


• The S2 helps develop friendly CHECK - Is each friend-COAs. He analyzes COAs from the ly COA valid againstenemy’s perspective and ensures each enemy COA?that each friendly COA is validagainst all enemy COAs in terms offorce ratios, tactics, and commonsense.

• The S2 refines initial IPB:

° The S2 develops named areas of CHECK - Is the S2interest (NAIs), event developing indicatorstemplates, and event analysis for each NAI?matrices to confirm or denyeach enemy COA. The eventtemplate shows how to quicklyconfirm or deny the situationtemplates. It will become thebasis for the collection or recon-naissance and surveillance(R&S) plan.

° The S2 identifies enemy highvalue targets (HVTs) for eachenemy COA.

COA ANALYSIS (Wargaming)Intelligence Cycle Phase Directing

• The S2 role-plays the enemy com- CHECK - Has the S2mander during wargaming. The S2 logically presented prob-makes sure the staff fully addresses able enemy reactions tofriendly responses for each enemy friendly maneuver andCOA by trying to “win” the wargame targeting?

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Figure 2-3. Wargaming.

COA ANALYSIS (Wargaming) (continued)Intelligence Cycle Phase: Directing


for the enemy. Each response is tiedto an enemy action. The friendly ac-tion will be translated to an “ONORDER” or “BE PREPARED"task in the operation order(OPORD) or fragmentary order(FRAGO). (See Figure 2-3, War-gaming.)

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COA ANALYSIS (Wargaming)(continued)Intelligence Cycle Phase: Directing

Commander’s Commander'sInteraction with the Intelligence Cycle Checklist

• As the unit’s collection manager, the CHECK - Do you agreeS2 wargames the R&S plan to make with the assets tasked bysure tasked collection assets are the S2? Do you or youravailable to report activity in the S3 have conflicting re-designated NAIs. quirements for your

scouts or cavalry whichwill preclude the S2from properly executinghis R&S plan?

CHECK - Has the S2covered NAIs and targetareas of interest (TAIs)adequately?

• The S2 develops and recommends a CHECK - Are all IRs

set of Intelligence Requirements, or linked to specific enemy

(IRs), for each friendly COA that is actions or reactions that

wargamed. require a friendlyresponse?

• The S2 continues to refine the ini-tial IPB:

The S2 completes the eventtemplates and event analysismatrices to anticipate keyenemy decisions for each friend-ly COA.

An event template or analysismatrix represents the enemy’sdecision support template(DST) synchronization matrixfor a given friendly COA.

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COA ANALYSIS (Wargaming) (continued)Intelligence Cycle Phase Directing

Commander’s Commander’sInteraction with the intelligence Cycle Checklist

• The XO directs the staff to record CHECK - Did the staffthe wargaming results into both a wargame against each ofDST and a BOS synchronization the possible enemymatrix for each friendly COA that is COAs?wargamed. (See Figure 2-4, DSTand BOS synchronization matrix.) CHECK - Is each friend-

ly response associatedwith a clearly definedIR?

COA ANALYSIS (Targeting)Intelligence Cycle Phase: Directing

• The FSO chairs a targeting sessionfor each friendly COA.

• The S2, S3, and FSO choose a set of CHECK - Do the iden-HPTs for each friendly COA from tified HPTs attack anthe HVT list. enemy weakness that

will further the success• The targeting team develops the of the friendly COA? Do

HPT list. they support your con-cept of the operationand your priorities?

● The targeting team develops the at- CHECK - Did the S2tack guidance matrix. validate “immediate” and

“planned” targets? Hashe identified appropri-ate TAIs and tasked col-lection assets to locatetargets when and whereyou need them attacked?

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Figure 2-4. The DST and BOS Synchronization Matrix.

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COA ANALYSIS (Targeting) (continued)Intelligence Cycle Phase: Directing

Commander’s Commander'sInteraction with the Intelligence Cycle Checklist

CHECK - Did the S2validate targetcategories marked as“destroy?”

• The Intelligence and Electronic CHECK - Does the

Warfare Support Officer (IEWSO) planned jamming fur-

at brigade (or EW officer at division ther the maneuver plan

and corps) recommends appropriate and complement the

integration of communications jam- lethal fire plan?

ming into the fire support plan.

RECOMMENDATIONIntelligence Cycle Phase: Directing

• The S2 participates in developing CHECK - Have eachthe staff recommendation. COA’s strengths and

weaknesses been ade-• The S2 also completes the intel- quately addressed in

ligence estimate: paras 5a and 5b. terms of the enemy?

• The S2 recommends for your ap- CHECK - Do they ad-proval certain IR to become PIR. dress your priority con-

cerns about the enemy?Are the recommendedPIR consistent with PIRguidance in Appendix A?

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RECOMMENDATION (continued)Intelligence Cycle Phase: Directing


CHECK - Have you toldthe S2 when the PIRmust be satisfied?

DECISIONIntelligence Cycle Phase: Directing

• Choose a COA.

° The S2 should highlight the in-telligence requirements foreach friendly decision on theDST.

• Resolve with the S2 and IEWSO the“price” for answering each IR.

° Will you have to depend uponhigher headquarters?

° Will you have to task a line unit?

• Give S2 final approval for PIR andthe collection or R&S plan.

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ISSUE THE OPORD/FRAGOIntelligence Cycle Phase: Directing

Commander'sInteraction with the Intelligence Cycle

• Once you approve the targetingpriorities established in the attackguidance matrix, the FSO develops adetailed fire support plan to includea schedule of fires. The S2 shouldhelp the FSO identify known HPTsand HVTs that require intelligencesupport to locate. The FSO, S2, andS3 should all discuss the amount ofdamage each target requires to sup-port the overall plan.

• The S2 develops for your approval:

° Finalized PIR (detailed andspecific).

° The intelligence synchroniza-tion matrix. This matrix linksthe PIRs and IRs with the as-sociated DPs from the DST aswell as a specific collectionstrategy. (See Figure 2-5, Intel-ligence SynchronizationMatrix.).


CHECK - Has the S2identified the intel-ligence required to sup-port the schedule offires? Does the S2 un-derstand the level ofdamage each target re-quires? Does the S2 un-derstand when the BDAfor each target needs tobe determined to sup-port the schedule offires?

CHECK - Has the S2covered all NAIs, TAIs,and DPs with ap-propriate collection(R&S) assets?

CHECK - Does the intel-ligence synchronizationmatrix get you the intel-ligence you need whenyou need it?

CHECK - Does the intel-ligence synchronizationmatrix support your tar-geting effort to thedegree you require?Have BDA require-ments been

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ISSUE THE OPORD/FRAGO (continued)Intelligence Cycle Phase: Directing

Commander's Commander’sInteraction with the Intelligence Cycle Checklist

incorporated into thecollection or R&S plan?

° Collection or R&S plan with CHECK - Is the S2 task-detailed taskings and requiri- ng all available organicments reflecting the collection and attached collectionstrategy on the intelligence assets including en-synchronization matrix. gineer, aviation, artil-

lery, etc?

° Detailed taskings and requests CHECK - Can the col-that ‘Flesh Out” the intelligence lection assets deliver thesynchronization matrix. intelligence the S2 is

tasking? (Ask the MIunit commander or hisIEWSO.)

Figure 2-5. The Intelligence Synchronization Matrix.

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ISSUE THE OPORD/FRAGO (continued)Intelligence Cycle Phase: Directing

Commanded Commander'sInteraction with the Intelligence Cycle Checklist

° An intelligence annex, including CHECK - Does higherthe collection plan. headquarters clearly un-

derstand your prioritiesand when you must havethe intelligence and tar-gets?

SUPERVISEIntelligence Cycle Phase: Collecting

• The S2 receives and consolidates allsubordinate R&S overlays to ensurethey adequately support his collec-tion plan.

• Collection assets conduct collectionoperations.

• The S2 receives reports andredirects taskings.

CHECK - Is the S2tracking upcoming dead-lines for intelligence re-quirements via theintelligence synchroniza-tion matrix?

CHECK - Is he prompt-ing collection assets tomeet taskings?

CHECK - Are the MIunit and other tasked as-sets meeting their intel-ligence taskings?- Are the S2 and theIEWSO apprising you ofthe status of intel-ligence requests todivision?- Is the S2 apprising youof collection problems?

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SUPERVISEIntelligence Cycle Phase: l’recessing


• The S2 records each intelligencemessage into a general database. Heensures that no message gets lost,and that each message is quicklyretrievable.

• The S2 evaluates each report forpertinence, reliability, accuracy, andtimeliness.

• The S2 analyzes each report and up-dates the common understanding ofthe battlefield. He places specialemphasis on the confirmation ordenial of situation templates (fillingthe high priority gaps inknowledge). He uses the eventtemplate or analysis matrix to an-ticipate enemy decisions and con-firm enemy COA.

• The S2 continually analyzes combatinformation and raw data todevelop situations, develop or iden-tify targets, assess battle damage,and give indications and warning(I&W) of hostilities.


CHECK - Can you getimmediate answers toquestions you have onreported enemy ac-tivities, cross-referencedby time, location, or sub-ject?

CHECK - Are situationtemplates being con-firmed or denied in atimely manner?

CHECK - Is the S2 fullyexploiting IPB and col-lection efforts? Do youhave a good picture ofthe battlefield? Do youhave enough confirmedintelligence to executeyour concept of theoperation as plannedduring wargaming? Doyou have enough intel-ligence to properly issue“ON ORDER” and “BE

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SUPERVISE (continued)Intelligence Cycle Phase: Processing


PREPARED” missionsto allow for contingen-cies identified duringwargaming?- Is the S2 informing youof potential new enemyactions not anticipatedduring IPB or wargam-ing? Is the S2 preparingyou to change your con-cept of the operationbased upon these unex-pected enemy actions?- Is the S2 analyzing thereports and telling youwhat they mean or mere-ly conducting battlefield“beancounting?”- Is combat informationbeing reported in a time-ly manner?

SUPERVISEIntelligence Cycle Phase: Dissemination

• The S2 keeps key personnel within theunit abreast of the general situation viaintelligence briefings (usually best) andintelligence reports. The technique ofusing a graphic intelligence report(status at a glance) is usualty optimal indynamic situations. (See Figure 2-6,Graphic Intelligence Report.)

CHECK - Are all intel-ligence requirements iden-tified in the BOSsynchronization matrixbeing met in an adequatemanner? Arc decisionmakers getting the intel-ligence in a timely manner?

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Figure 2-6. Graphic Intelligence Report.

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SUPERVISE (continued)Intelligence Cycle Phase: Dissemination


• A written intelligence report may bemore appropriate for static situa-tions.

• During wargaming, the S2 and theIEWSO contract to deliver specificintelligence to specific decisionmakers at specific times during thebattle.

• Reports are event or requirementdriven. They are not time oriented.The key is to give you intelligenceyou need when you need it or, notevery 4, 6, or 12 hours?

• The S2 always keeps personnelabreast of the status of confirmingor denying enemy COAs andanswering PIRs on time.

• During the battle, the S2 tracks theintelligence synchronization matrixto identify when decisions need tobe made, by whom, and what intel-ligence the decision maker needs.Then the S2 provides the needed in-telligence to those who need it.

Commander'sChecklist

CHECK - Is your S2producing intelligencereports when you needthem?

CHECK - Are intel-ligence reports keepingkey personnel abreast ofthe enemy situation?Are they well written?Do they answer PIRs orotherwise explain whythe information is impor-tant? Rule of thumb:Can an alert combatarms soldier understandthem quickly without ex-planation?

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SUPERVISE (continued)Intelligence Cycle Phase: Dissemination


• Also during the battle, the S2 usesthe intelligence synchronizationmatrix to make sure collection as-sets are collecting on the properPIR at the proper time and willmeet deadlines required by theprimary synchronization matrix.The S2 resolves collection problemsin a timely manner to support timelydissemination.

CHECK - Do all key per-sonnel know about thecurrent status of con-firming or denying situa-tion templates (enemyCOAs)?- Is the intelligence avail-able whenever you orone of your staff officersneeds to make an in-formed decision?

RECEIVE MISSION (Again)Intelligence Cycle Phase: Directing (Again)

The intelligence cycle is dynamic,and you need to refocuse it as thebattle changes and your require-ments for intelligence and targetschange.

Continue to discuss the common un-derstanding of the battlefield withthe S2, S3, and other staff officers.

CHECK - Is the S2 ap-prising you of an-ticipated situations onthe battlefield?

CHECK - Does the S2use PIRs to refocus thecollection effort to ad-dress new gaps inknowledge?

CHECK - Does the S2ask you to approve thenew PIRs before im-plementing them?

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RECEIVE MISSION (Again) (continued)Intelligence Cycle Phase: Directing (Again)


• Different IRs will become PIRs to CHECK - Can the S2address new (or newly important) and IEWSO estimategaps in knowledge. Likewise, PIRs the impact on collectionmay be downgraded to IRs. The col- assets associated withlection plan and taskings are each change in themodified to meet new requirements. PIRs?

• If necessary, new intelligence may re- CHECK - Is the S2quire reinitiation of all (or parts) of prompting you and thethe command estimate process. S3 to modify the plan?

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Documents

US ARMY FM 34-8 Combat Commander's Handbook On Intelligence, 2ch