First off, let me say that The Duffel Blog continues to be hilarious: http://www.duffelblog.com/2012/05/intelligence-section-produces-high-quality-bullshit/ Second, I do not like most Intel analysts. Their work is lazy is and lacks the "WIFM" that commanders are looking for. Theres not much "analysis" going on and a whole lot of fact reporting. Its frustrating. This thread is for sharing stories about the crappy Intel guys you've met in your dealings with various -2's. I posted this in another thread: Another one was when I got my first new guys after being in the section for 2 years or so. We are doing a field exercise, and this new Intel PFC comes up to me and asks me what a "Mos-cue" is. Ponder THAT one for a minute...
“My Staff Sergeant told me that I have to start using Text Shadow, since it helps my key points stand out,” said Corporal Jimenez, working on one of his many briefs. “This will really help Marines understand my analysis that the entire Taliban are actually Russian intelligence agents.” LMAO!
Never piss off someone that can have your clearance revoked for "doctored" pics of you helping a sheep over a cliff...
So what the hell is the purpose of this thread? I assume you work with all-source vice specialists/experts in the various "-INTs"? An analyst's job is not to provide any commander with what they WANT for but rather give them the information they NEED: a huge difference. Also, any leader can see that a shitty analyst is blowing smoke up their tailpipe and will act accordingly (e.g. limit funding, training, marginalize, etc). FYI...the Taliban ARE in fact proxy "agents" of SVR, IRGC, and ISI.
I don't think this thread is going to live very long. Disparaging an entire profession over one or two bad experiences is not the way we do business here on the site. I am quite certain that there are ways in which the intel profession can be improved, and have no doubt there are "bad" intel professionals, just like there are in any profession. However, the underlying premise of this thread, reflected in the OP, creates a tone that I do not think lends itself to rational, professional discussion of this topic.
For the record, I am an Intel analyst. I am ripping on my own kind. The thread isn't really for discussing how to professionalize intelligence or what-have-you, merely to share funny anecdotes about the dumb Intel guys that everyone has invariably worked with.
I get what you're saying however, I believe that these threads feed the sterotype that ALL OF US are addicted to WOW, D&D, LARPers, etc. that really cannot cut "it" (life) outside of a windowless room and locked behind doors that require "special" accesses. It seems that the only time people hear about us is when outsiders encounter a windowlicker (yes, there are many) but nobody every hears about (or believes) our successes. It does seem that most of the shit hot guys get noticed and simply fade away to "other assignments". ;) "Silent but deadly" has more than just one connotation.
Well... sonny... welcome to reality. The issues with intelligence go back centuries... Ever hear of guy named Custer, besides not listening to me when I told to take the damn Gatlings with him. He blew off the accurate reports of his scouts and now the ass hole is considered hero..... If you bother to read the (relatively) new history of the 82nd in WWII (http://www.amazon.com/Sword-St-Mich...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338814605&sr=1-1) you'll see how it is pretty well documented that General "Boy" Browning completely blew off the advice of experienced paratroop officers, his Intell staff, and just plain un-common sense so he could command a Airborne Corps in combat. The list can go on, and on, and on. There is no solution. The same issues occur in the OGA's and highest levels of the intell community. People are promoted to their level of incompetence, be it SPC, CWO2, or GS-15. Any of which is perfectly capable of doing something that WILL get good men and women killed. I worked with a CW2 that BRAGGED about how he made WO by applying EVERY quarter for two years till he was selected because he was one of five applicants with five slots.... (this was before WOAC). There's only one solution to it and it ain't easy and you can become very unpopular among your peers. You have to establish a reputation of brutal honesty and integrity, ESPECIALLY when you find you made a mistake (THAT in itself will set you apart and above many of your peers). You don't bullshit, lie, or fall back into the gray area of maybes. Become technically proficient. Know and OWN your specific specialty. Not only the current situation; but the historical background especially ethnic or tribal issues that can go back decades if not centuries. The human frailties of a system are most difficult to change... but one person can have an impact.
"FYI...the Taliban ARE in fact proxy "agents" of SVR, IRGC, and ISI." Amen! Now... what are we gonna do about it!?
http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2012/06/ap-pakistan-report-says-us-considers-more-raids-062212/ Yeah right!
