GENERAL RESEARCH

7-4. Due to the quickly changing world circumstances, it is impossible to conduct all the specific research required immediately prior to questioning a source. General research should be completed before entering an AO and continues until operation completion. Areas of research include but are not limited to––

• OPLANs and OPORDs. The HUMINT collector must be familiar with the unit OPLAN and that of its higher headquarters. By thoroughly understanding the unit OPLAN and OPORD, the HUMINT collector

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and HUMINT commanders and leaders can anticipate collection requirements, develop source profiles, recommend deployment strategies, and otherwise integrate HUMINT operations into the overall unit operation. Although the OPORD needs to be read and understood in its entirety, certain areas are of critical importance to the HUMINT collection effort. They include––

ƒ Task organization. This will show where HUMINT C2, staff support, and collection assets will fit into the organizational structure.

ƒ Situation. This gives the friendly and enemy situation.

ƒ Mission. This gives the HUMINT collectors insight into how their operations will integrate into the parent unit’s operation.

ƒ Execution. The four execution subparagraphs explain the commander’s intent on how the mission is to be carried out:

− Subparagraph 3a (Concept of Operation) includes how sub-ordinate units’ operations will be included in the overall plan.

− Subparagraph 3a(3) (Reconnaissance and Surveillance) details how HUMINT collection operations will integrate into the overall ISR plan. Additional information on ISR is found in Annex L.

− Subparagraph 3a(4) (Intelligence), along with Annex A (Task Organization) and Annex B (Intelligence), explains how the Intelligence BOS will support the scheme of maneuver.

− Subparagraph 3d (Coordinating Instructions) lists the CCIRs and initial PIRs.

• Current events. The HUMINT collector must be knowledgeable about current events in all potential operational areas, especially those events that indicate the populace’s feelings or intentions toward the US. This will facilitate a better understanding of the cultural, political, and socio-economic conditions that could influence the attitude and behavior of a source. This knowledge can be obtained and updated through classified periodic intelligence publications and/or military or civilian open sources, including both print and broadcast media, CA and PSYOP databases, and the J/G/S2 analytical elements.

• SOPs. The HUMINT collector must be familiar not only with his own unit's SOP but also with that of any supported unit. The HUMINT collector will be able to obtain specific information about report numbers and formats, as well as information about distribution channels for reports from these SOPs. The SOP will also explain unit policy on source exploitation and evacuation procedures, logistic and maintenance functions, and other C2 and support issues.

• Umbrella concept. The TF commander through the J/G2 and J/G2X issues an umbrella concept for HUMINT operations. When operating under this concept, collection parameters will be established in writing, and it is imperative that the HUMINT collector understands his role.

Types of sources will be outlined concerning placement, motivation, and access. The umbrella concept will also specify the types of information against which the HUMINT collector can collect. The umbrella concept is governed by AR 381-100 (S//NF), AR 381-172

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• Legal guides, SOFAs, operations and execute orders, ROE, and other legal and administrative requirements. The HUMINT collector must be thoroughly familiar with all documents that may set the legal parameters for his collection operations. These are available through the chain of command and from the SJA office. He must know how these requirements apply and to what type of sources each is applied.

• Collection requirements. The HUMINT collector needs not only to know but also to understand the requirements that he will be attempting to answer. These requirements can include CCIRs (PIRs and IRs), essential elements of friendly information (EEFIs), Intelligence Priorities for Strategic Planning (IPSP), specific requests from national level consumers such as HUMINT collection requirements (HCRs), SDRs, or even vocal orders given by the local commander. These all will determine the objective of the questioning plan.

• Databases. Intelligence databases can give the HUMINT collector detailed information about the source's unit, its organization, and its capabilities. They also have information on personalities. The HUMINT collector will use information obtained from databases to control the source and assess his answers for truthfulness. They will also give the HUMINT collector ideas of other areas to research. For example, if the threat is primarily a lightly armed insurgent force, studying similar organizations will provide the HUMINT collector with valuable insights into the possible methods of operation of the current target organization.

• SITMAP and COP. The current situation, both friendly and enemy, is vital for the movement of the HCT and for its collection operations. It reflects enemy unit identification, disposition, and boundaries; major roads or trails for movement of personnel, equipment, weapons; and locations of artillery, minefields, roadblocks, entrenchments, obstacles, staging areas, NBC contaminated areas, and ground surveillance devices. All of this information can be used in source questioning as control questions or in otherwise determining source veracity. The HUMINT collector will be able to identify indicators and predict what should be PIRs and IRs.

• INTSUM. The INTSUM provides a summary of the intelligence situation covering a specific period as dictated by the commander. It is already analyzed intelligence.

• Intelligence estimate. The intelligence estimate is derived from the intelligence preparation of the battlefield (IPB). It is based on all available intelligence and considers everything of operational significance. It will help point out gaps in the intelligence database. It is from these gaps that requirements are derived. It will provide information on the mission, AO, weather, terrain, enemy situation, enemy capabilities, and conclusions. It will cover all of the standard OB topics.

• Weapons and equipment guides. Weapons and equipment guides can assist the HUMINT collector in becoming familiar with the type of equipment employed in the AO. Guides are available in hardcopy and softcopy.

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• Area handbooks. These handbooks provide detailed information about a specific area of the world. They provide information on political, economic, sociological, cultural, military, biographic, transportation, and geographic topics. The CIA and other agencies publish area handbooks annually. The US Department of State website also has continuously updated information on trouble spots around the world.

• Previous HUMINT reporting. The HUMINT collector should familiarize himself with all previous relevant reporting from the AO.

This will provide him with insight into current operations, the types of information collected, and may help identify information gaps.

• Photographs, maps, and other geospatial products. In conducting general research, the HUMINT collector should become familiar with the AOs. This not only will help identify specific areas of HUMINT collection potential but also will be invaluable in both the questioning of specific sources and the maneuver of the HCT.

• Subject matter experts (SMEs) and technical research. Before deploying to an AO or before supporting on a particular mission, the HUMINT collector may identify particular areas in which he lacks critical knowledge. For example, a HUMINT collector who has previously been operating in an area with a conventional enemy may be deployed to an area with an unconventional threat from irregular forces. Also, intelligence requirements may focus on equipment that is unfamiliar to the HUMINT collector. In order to prepare himself, the HUMINT collector contacts SMEs or analysts or uses technical materials to gain background information.

• Other reports. Intelligence agencies publish numerous reports and summaries that are readily available to the HUMINT collector.