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Marines create intel cells at rifle-company level
A need for more intelligence analysts in the Corps is forcing infantry operations to get a whole lot smarter, under a new initiative that is for the first time pushing battalion-level intelligence know-how down to the rifle-company level. The Corps is creating company-level intelligence cells called C-LICs in an attempt to plug the hole and curb the loss of valuable intelligence that often goes missing when units pass the baton on the battlefield.The C-LIC initiative, launched under the direction of the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab in Quantico, Va., will soon be battle-tested by California-based 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, on its next Iraq deployment, slated for early 2008. On this battlefield, in this era, were asking those rifle companies to do, frankly, sorts of things and cover an area bigger than I was used to as a battalion commander, Vince Goulding, director of experimentation plans at the Warfighting Laboratory, said. As part of the trial, 28 Marines from 3/4 were selected for C-LIC training based on a laundry list of criteria. Each of 3/4s C-LIC Marines had to receive the required security clearance. Those Marines also had to want the position, show an aptitude for computer skills and analytical analysis, show individual initiative and have high General Technical scores or some college experience. Yhey also needed combat experience. The new intelligence roles will also translate into new gear for the battalion. C-LIC Marines will also get an interim secret clearance. In a separate but concurrent initiative, 3/4 also will get 48 Wasp micro-unmanned aerial vehicles, outfitted with night vision. C-LIC training for 3/4 wrapped up Nov. 9, and the new intel-grunts are already pulling information to study their various areas of operations before their deployment in early 2008. Of the 28 intel-grunts, four will move up to the battalions intel shop as manpower replacements for the 0231 intelligence analysts headed to each company. The remaining 24 C-LIC Marines will return to their regular companies, but in support roles, commanded not by the company officer, but the battalions intelligence officer. Despite working as intel analysts, C-LIC Marines keep their original infantry military occupational specialty. Marines chosen for the C-LIC team, however, could also expect a little more love from command in the short term. While 3/4 is launching the labs trial for this initiative, the Corps isnt waiting for the results at the end of the units deployment before sharing its C-LIC model with other interested battalions. My initial view was that [six] Marines per company would be painful, given force protection and troop-to-task requirements on the ground, but the benefit would outweigh the cost, said Lt. Col. William Visted, the battalions commander, in an e-mail. If we can generate faster, better, and more effective intelligence, it will compensate for the loss of a fire team in each company. Posted by: Pappy 2008-01-27 |
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