Transforming the Core Function of Military Intelligence to Knowledge Management

Military Intelligence should transform its core function to knowledge management to best support the Army's Objective Force. The near monopoly for providing valuable collection to Army commanders that MI historically possessed will dissolve as sensors capable of collecting accurate and timely information from enemy signal, visible, thermal, acoustic, seismic, and radar signatures become ubiquitous across the Objective Force. The potential threat of inundation with massive quantities of disparate bits of data this increased sensor capability will present the Army will require MI to commit the majority of its efforts and resources to making sense of this information. MI must develop a collaborative culture to empower the fusion of increasingly massive amounts of data into intelligence that is relevant to Army operations and the creation of knowledge Army commanders need to make decisions. This study proposes this transformation should follow the three critical vectors of doctrinal reform, organizational reform, and officer education reform to enable MI to sufficiently inform commanders understanding of the threat and environment. These reforms will focus the efforts of MI on Knowledge Management as its core function, while relegating its historic collection function to a subordinate and supporting role.