Tyler Fleming
The direct collection of intelligence information from human sources is highly sensitive for good reason. Many people have risked their lives to pass valuable information to the United States, and practitioners have a strict responsibility to protect their assets and tend to avoid publicity. Nonetheless, spy novels and films have popularized human intelligence (HUMINT), though these often misrepresent the realities experienced by military HUMINT professionals. U.S. Army HUMINT soldiers quietly contribute meaningful intelligence successes through the identification, development, and maintenance of valuable human relationships worldwide.
Very little is written about the experience of these service members and, accordingly, very little public discourse takes place about their role within the military and the intelligence community. However, it is important to discuss this critical intelligence function in the context of the modern era of irregular warfare and strategic competition. As the Army moves beyond the Global War on Terror and the military adapts to a new future, our primary ground force will need to design a clear pathway to train, equip, and deploy its human-intelligence soldiers.
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