National Guard Human Intelligence Case Study

National Guard Human Intelligence (HUMINT) Soldiers do not receive enough Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)-related training prior to, and during mobilization training. Without focused, relevant, training prior to deployment, National Guard Soldiers deploy lacking the confidence and skills required to be effective on their deployment. Moreover, Combat Commanders are quick to marginalize HUMINT Soldiers who lack training and confidence in their MOS. Company leadership should ensure their Soldiers receive advanced training prior to their mobilization. This should involve adding advanced HUMINT training to Soldier career paths. Additionally, mobilization training centers may need to adjust the duration and focus of training for HUMINT
A lessons learned report illustrating this fact states that HUMINT Soldiers were assigned guard shifts rather than supporting the Battalion in HUMINT Collection Team (HCT) operations (Torres 3). These types of scenarios breed low motivation and morale. Lack of training can result in Soldiers conducting Military Source Operations (MSO) in non-permissive environments exposing their operations, themselves, and sources to unnecessary risks and decreases the quality of HUMINT collection (Ray/Martinez 5). A final issue National Guard Soldiers face is their lack of skill in interrogations and detainee operations. Immature or inexperienced interrogators’ nonverbal communication telegraphs their lack of confidence and undermines their interrogation approaches (Ashley
Without training prior to mobilization and deployment, National Guard Soldiers lack the skills necessary to be effective on deployments. This leads to Commanders lacking confidence in HUMINT Soldiers and ineffective use of Soldiers. As the Active Duty Component draws down in size, the role of National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers will inevitably increase. This means these Soldiers must be ready to step in and perform their duties effectively. To prepare Soldiers for this task, leaders must ensure proper training for their Soldiers prior to mobilization. Unit leaders should add advanced HUMINT training to Soldier career paths. Finally, mobilization training centers may need to adjust the duration and focus of training to bring HUMINT Soldiers to an acceptable level and better contribute to overall success of the