[March 23, 2022] As we sat in a small auditorium, our ROTC Professor arrived to announce our branch selections. My best friend, Frank Willis and I sat together. Frank was a dull fellow, brilliant but not good at ordinary social skills. Frank’s name was called, Military Intelligence was to be his branch.
In the U.S. Army, occupational branches are assigned based on the needs of the service. However, if you performed well as a cadet, your choice can influence the selection process. At the selection event, it is common practice to make “fun” of our military intelligence branch. The young lieutenants assigned to this branch have above-average intelligence and an inclination to detail.
Some say that military intelligence is an oxymoron. How can it be, we ask with tongue in cheek, that anything in the military can be intelligent? The question is trite but brings up many questions about the ability of intelligence officers to make accurate representations of the enemy and their most likely course of action.
Recall the many “intelligence” failures over the past; the 9/11 attacks, the Pearl Harbor attack, the Tet Offensive, the Iranian Revolution, the collapse of the Soviet Union, etc. Indeed, military intelligence, much like national-level intelligence agencies, is known for its spectacular failures; which seems so obvious looking back.
A more recent example was 51 former intelligence-community senior officials who signed a letter in October 2020 that Hunter Biden’s laptop was part of a “Russian disinformation operation.” We now know they were wrong. We knew they were wrong at the time, and today they fail to admit they were wrong, despite overwhelming contrary evidence. And, that is the real problem.
Our intelligence agencies cannot learn from the past’s most common mistakes, allowing ideology to overcome what they can see with their own eyes. American Intelligence has become politicized to the point that their assessments are worthless. They cannot, or will not, search for the truth. Today, it seems like they want to “affect” the outcome of the electoral process, something that is illegal and unethical.1
The U.S. Army military intelligence branch needs reform. More importantly, our national intelligence services need a significant overhaul. So, is military intelligence an oxymoron? Yep, I think it is.
My name was called, and Infantry was to be my branch. Both Frank and I got what we wanted for our branch choices. That was the good news.
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Please read my new book, “Our Longest Year in Iraq,” at Amazon (link here).
Pow, got that right, Gen. Satterfield, Military Intelligence might just be an oxymoron but still a very necessary oxymoron.
Military Intell. Yep, saw it when I was in the Army many years ago. Those folks were weird. At least that is what my Infantry buddies and I thought at the time. I never knew any of them and maybe that was a good thing. Keep up the great works, Gen. Satterfield with your website. I’m a huge fan.
Intelligence and creativity don’t always go together and that is the crux of the military intelligence oxymoron conundrum.
Yep, the crux of the problem that any military and civilian agency has to contend with.
Not a conundrum but a need. Just my thoughts. It works, and that is why the military still has them as a function. Needed, yes. Workable, sometimes. Get ride of them, no.
As Army Captain noted earlier (see below his comment), Military Intelligence may be joked about but they actually get most things right. The problem I think is that being in the intell community means you have to be ‘creative’ and able to ‘connect the dots.’ These are two qualities that most of us lack. Takes someone special to have both.
Yeah, but what about all those “spectacular” failures that Gen. Satterfield has documented? They cannot be overlooked. Maybe too much corruption in the intell community. I know we are seeing huge corruption in the US DOJ, CIA, FBI, and INA communtiies today.
This is what we all should know, right up front, “Recall the many “intelligence” failures over the past; the 9/11 attacks, the Pearl Harbor attack, the Tet Offensive, the Iranian Revolution, the collapse of the Soviet Union, etc. Indeed, military intelligence, much like national-level intelligence agencies, is known for its spectacular failures; which seems so obvious looking back.”
Hey guys, let’s not forget that Gen. Satterfield has his book out on the Iraq War. I am suggesting that you buy a copy and leave a review for him on Amazon or Goodreads. He is an amazing author. Read the book. Read the book, ‘Our Longest Year in Iraq.’
https://www.amazon.com/Our-Longest-Year-Iraq-Construction/dp/1737915510/
I did and I’m glad I did. I have also encouraged others to do so. Take the time to support a true patriot. You will not regret it.
Thank you, Janna for the encouragement and recommendation!
You are welcome, sir!!!!
Bottom line up front, The U.S. Army military intelligence branch needs reform. More importantly, our national intelligence services need a significant overhaul. So, is military intelligence an oxymoron? Yep, I think it is.
Simple.
If only ….
If only ….
If only it were that simple. Yes, indeed, our intell establishment needs an overhaul and for many reasons. One of the reasons is that they have become politicized and target every day Americans. That is treasonous behavior and is sadly encouraged by the Biden Administration.
Huh?
Gen. Satterfield, impressive article today and one that I would not have expected. I recommend an analysis of the US Vice Pres Kamala Harris. Compare her to any leader and let’s see where the chips fall. I’ll bet you find her deficient in leadership traits.
Hi folks, good morning!!! Don’t forget to go to DAILY FAVORITES by Gen. Satterfield — next tab over. Once again, Gen. Satterfield gives us two great articles on the ‘free speech’ debate. In short, free speech is to be protected, even unpopular free speech. That is the only way to test ideas in the public arena. If it hurts your feelings, then I will echo Gen. Satterfield… I don’t care about your feelings, they are irrelevant to me. ha ha ha ha ….. Snowflakes be aware.
Pow, knocked that one out of the park, Max. Well written. Yeah, I think the snowflakes don’t want their itty bitty feelings hurt. Wahhh
Listen to the small violin playing in the background. That’s what I think of college snowflakes. Unfortunately, the grow up and be teachers and community activists.
Good one!!! ❤
Yeah!
Well said, Max and thanks for another spot-on comment. 👍👍👍👍👍
“Our intelligence agencies cannot learn from the past’s most common mistakes, allowing ideology to overcome what they can see with their own eyes.” scary proposition, Gen. Satterfield. I hope you are wrong, but in my heart and head, I know you are right.
You nailed it Greg. They have been taken over by the political leftists who hate America and want to destroy her.
I always make a joke about US army Military Intelligence but found them generally informative and worth the effort.
True enough, Army Captain but their failures are also well known. Just look at Gen. Satterfield’s examples to see for yourself.
You some wrong, you get some right. That is the philosophy that some of my buddies in MI has talked to me about over the years. Seems like they are just on board to run their careers out in 20. Let’s be real, MI is an oxymoron but a necessary oxymoron. Without it, we are doomed. It’s all part of knowing your enemy.
Hi Army Vet, great to have you here. I look forward to your next article. Be sure to make it on the “Decline of the US Army” while you are looking for a topic.
Thanks for your input on this Army Capt. I hope you are right.