Counterintelligence

[Irwin, Robert]

With Regard to Mr. Rosano's comments pertaining to HUMINT and CI in the
Army.  No offense is taken.  My purpose was not to hold out the U.S. Army's
basic course to that of say the CIA.  The two organizations have different
missions and serve different purposes.  The purpose of HUMINT and CI is to
act as the Army's Tactical Intelligence gathering and Counterintelligence
apparatus, not to run deep cover operations in denied areas nor penetrate
top echelons of foreign governments or anything else of the nature.  That
having been said, the difficulties of educating the leadership of the Army
as to the purpose and employment of HUMINT and CI assets is much the same as
encountered by our civilian counterparts.  Emphasis on the acquisition
training and retention of MI personnel has never been a priority and is the
reason the Army finds itself in difficulties in obtaining timely and
accurate tactical intelligence in Iraq.  While much touted, ELINT, SIGINT,
and UAV's have not been capable of identifying anything other than what the
enemy has or is currently doing. In addition to corroborating the other
INTEL gathering apparatus', HUMINT helps to identify what the enemy's
intentions are.  This is an invaluable real time tool for the battlefield
commander and the purpose of HUMINT and CI in the U.S. Army.

Robert C. Irwin

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