Military intelligence has been defined as a military discipline that exploits information and analyze it to provide guidance to commanders as they make war time decisions. The theory behind this concept draws on three types of intelligence sources.
· Strategic Intelligence is concerned with broad issues such as economics or a political assessment.
· Operational Intelligence is information useful in the planning of strategic objectives.
· Tactical Intelligence is information to out bound patrols on the local threats and mission priorities.
Our government pours massive resources into the field of military intelligence, making it the backbone of our war effort. Yet, with all of the recourses employed in this discipline, wouldn’t you expect the people in the military to also have some level of normal intelligence? I know, for a fact, that there are many really smart people serving in the US military. I also know, for a fact, that there are many whose behavior makes you question putting the word military and the word Intelligence together in the same sentence.
For example, consider if you will, the flight service center at the military airfield in Kabul, Afghanistan. A fellow soldier and friend of mine was attempting to make his way from Kabul, back to Bagram Airfield where he is stationed. With a smile on his face he approached the counter and inquired if any seats were available on the next flight out. Here the ever helpful representative informed him that what was available to him was the back wall and a red line on the floor. What he could do was go stand behind it until it was his turn and someone called him forward. Obediently, although a bit stunned, he moved to the back wall and stood behind the noted red line. Upon arriving at his newly assigned position, he turned around just in time to hear the same representative yell, “next!”
It was at this point that he realized that his journey might not go as smoothly as he had hoped. After a rather intense conversation with the not so customer service oriented representative, he was informed that his plane would be loading shortly and he was to have a seat in the staging area where he could wait. A mere three hours later his group was called forward to go through the security check point in preparation for their flight. Along with the others, my friend was instructed to remove all metal objects and place them in the plastic bins located to their right.
As instructed, he removed his bullet proof vest and placed it in the appointed plastic bin. In addition he obediently deposited his Beretta 9mm pistol with three 15 round magazines, one M4 semi automatic rifle with 210 rounds of ammunition, 2 colored smoke grenades, 3 fragmentation hand grenades, an 18 inch bowie knife and of course for safety reasons, he was also required to remove his combat boots.
As he moved through the metal detector, he became quite discouraged when the alarm went off and a very large security guard pulled him off to the side for additional screenings. A total body pat down was performed and then with the help of a hand held scanner it was discovered that he had not followed instructions as his belt buckle was indeed made of metal. After a scolding suited for a six year, my friend now being fully stripped of his belt and his dignity was sent back through the metal detector. Once it was confirmed that he was not a terrorist want-to-be and that he was not attempting to sneak anything on the plane that might pose a danger to his fellow passengers, he was allowed to recover his belongings.
On the other side of the counter he recovered his boots along with his Beretta 9mm pistol, his M4 semi automatic rifle, all of his grenades, and the 18 inch bowie knife and was allowed to board for his flight.
I am so glad that the US military has this stringent level of security in place. You just never know when someone will try to sneak something as dangerous as a belt buckle on a plane.
Feeling secure,
John P.
Praying for the 12.
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