Author: Seabrook, J.G1
Published in National Security Journal, 25 September 2024
Download full PDF version – Commanders Requirements: What Do New Zealand Commanders and their Staffs Expect of Military Intelligence Officers in the 21st Century (681 KB)
Abstract
Military intelligence supports commanders, operations and planning staffs, and their evolving needs.1 With few foundations for what is expected of military-intelligence officers in scholarly literature, this article attempts to determine what military-intelligence soldiers, planning officers, operational staff, and commanders expect of military-intelligence officers in the 21st century operating environment. Literature, training doctrine, and public resources provide no data or succinct analysis justifying how New Zealand military-intelligence officers comprehend what their roles required of them. This research surveyed New Zealand Defence Force personnel to determine what they believe is best military-intelligence practice. While commanders’ preferences differ, doctrine indicates military-intelligence officers should train for the most likely situations, and therefore commanders’ most likely expectations.2 This article presents analysis of what is required to be a good military-intelligence officer.
Keywords: Military Intelligence, Intelligence Skills, New Zealand, Collection, Competence, Domain Relevance
Introduction
Conflict historians General Petraeus and Professor Roberts argue, “A general’s staff requires some professional naysayers if it is to be effective.”3 Arguably, military training and expectations appear more likely based on doctrine and personal experiences, than on revolving – even if stated – contemporary intelligence-customer needs. There is currently no regular survey or audit to confirm intelligence-customer needs. It seems New Zealand military-intelligence officers have not considered validated if they are meeting customer needs in a formal, structured manner. This leaves open the possibility current teaching and intelligence support is out of synch with what supported elements want from their intelligence officers. By collecting, synthetising and presenting facts on intelligence user’s needs, the next generation’s military-intelligence officers can hone their trade and meet informed commanders’ expectations. This should also set an expectation to confirm these requirements at regular intervals, in turn reducing the chances of not only training for the last or wrong war, but also providing timely, accurate, and relevant intelligence support.
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1 Major Jack Seabrook is an officer in the New Zealand Army. Contact by email: john.seabrook@nzdf.mil.nz. The author gratefully acknowledges the guidance of Dr Rhys Ball who supervised the original research project this article is based on.