Intelligence Corps Role
Intelligence Corps Officers and Soldiers are employed in a wide variety of challenging and rewarding roles in many different locations.
The Intelligence Corps offers two soldier roles, each with its own specialisations and areas of expertise. There are opportunities to work and cross-train in all areas.
Operator Military Intelligence (OPMI)
Operational Intelligence (OPINT)
OPINT is one of the mainstream roles and includes Close Support (CS), operating at the tactical to operational levels and General Support (GS) operating at the operational to strategic levels. CS OPINT Sections provide intelligence support directly to Bde HQs and smaller teams involved in the current battle operate at Battlegroup (BG) and Company (Coy) level. They received data which is then analysed to provide Intelligence updates and assessments to Ground Commanders.
GS OPINT Sections operate at the operational and strategic levels providing direct support to Bde HQs and Operational Intelligence Support Groups. GS OPINT personnel are responsible for producing and delivering thematic papers and reports based on detailed analysis and assessment.
Employment within an OPINT role can be extremely challenging and equally rewarding. Available assignments include direct Intelligence support to 16 Air Assault Bde, 3 Commando Brigade and other specialist units and organisations. Opportunities are available for INT CORPS Operators to volunteer for P Coy, Commando course, and UKSF Selection.
Counter Intelligence and Security (CI and Sy)
CI and Sy is an extremely important mainstream role. INT CORPS personnel are employed to protect the Army’s information, intelligence and equipment from hostile activities. There are opportunities for Operators to become involved in a multitude of different duties.
CI and Sy duties include research and analysis into enhancing Force Protection and Security Measures where Operators are responsible for the production and dissemination of Threat Assessments and Security Reports.
Materiel and Personnel Exploitation (MPE)
Materiel and Personnel Exploitation (MPE) forms an increasingly important tool in the armoury of the military as it works to defeat terrorism and threats to the Rule of Law.
MPE is the production of intelligence from recovered materials and through the questioning of individuals. It makes use of modern technology to collect biometric and other forensic information in order to gather intelligence from weapons such as an Improvised Explosive Devise (IED) or electronic equipment.
As a Military Intelligence Operator you could find yourself directly involved as an MPE expert, providing advice and assessment to senior commanders which will both help defeat the enemy and reduce friendly force casualty numbers.
Imagery Intelligence (IMINT)
IMINT specialists interpret images taken from a variety of sources including satellites and reconnaissance aircraft. The information they ascertain can be vital and may include intelligence central to a battle, such as the exact location of the enemy and what he intends to do. Modern imagery sources mean that IMINT can be collected, collated, analysed and disseminated in almost real time.
Imagery Analysts (IAs) are trained to operate in support of commanders engaged in both conventional and non conventional warfare. At times the IA will be required to provide direct support at Battlegroup (BG) level to front line Coy groups. IAs may also be required to provide analysis and assessment of strategic level importance.
Electronic Warfare (EW)
EW specialists employ similar skills and technology to those in used in SIGINT. The main difference is that EW tends to work at a tactical level, close to where the fighting is, intercepting battlefield transmissions.
To work effectively in this field, soldiering skills are of critical importance. To keep pace with the battle, EW operators need to move frequently and safely within a potentially hostile environment. EW Operators piece together enemy communications to identify key facts, such as the location of the enemy's headquarters or the location or key equipment such as artillery and tanks.
Language skills can be vital in this role, as transmissions need to be interpreted and analysed quickly in order to be of use to operational commanders. At the same time as doing this, the EW operator may also jam transmissions to prevent the enemy from successfully using their own communications.
Human Intelligence (HUMINT)
HUMINT specialists work in a systematic and controlled way to assimilate crucial pieces of intelligence from people such as refugees, prisoners of war, or the local people who live in the area where the Army is operating.
HUMINT operators provide commanders with timely, accurate and often unique intelligence on an enemy's intentions, capabilities and way of working.
INT CORPS personnel can also be employed as part of a Debriefing or Interrogation Team. These teams are responsible for gleaning vital information from personnel.
Covert Passive Surveillance (CPS)
CPS duties are very complex, dynamic, and fluid. CPS Operators are highly skilled in both foot and mobile navigation, use of covert communication and imagery collection systems, advanced driving techniques and counter surveillance drills.
Often required to work alongside specialist organisations the CPS role is at times extremely high tempo, and at times slow paced, methodical and deliberate.
Operator Technical Intelligence (OPTI)
Linguist
The opportunity exists for INT CORPS personnel to be trained in the use of a number of different languages. Currently the major languages that the INT CORPS trains personnel in are Arabic, Farsi and French.
On completion of the 24 month duration language course the individual is then provided the opportunity to use their language in support of operational requirements.
Signals Intelligence (SIGINT)
SIGINT specialists glean information from enemy transmissions and use leading-edge technology to intercept anything from enemy radios to satellite communications.
SIGINT operators need to identify key elements of intelligence from within the vast array of transmissions that take place every day. In fact, the most sophisticated equipment in the world would be useless if it did not have a sharp thinking SIGINT operator to identify the important from among the worthless.
Once identified, intelligence from SIGINT sources is carefully analysed and quickly processed into a report and communicated to the operational commanders. SIGINT operators are often linguists, working quickly in real time to decode cryptic messages passed in a foreign language.
Cyber Threat Analysis
Military Intelligence Operators may be required to counter the cyber threat to the Army and the wider military environment.
This may be by identifying the source of potential and actual threats as part of a counter-intelligence team; by developing measures to mitigate the threat whether by technical means or revised operating procedures, or by ensuring that the security measures taken by the military to protect their Communications Infrastructure Systems (CIS) remain robust and fit for purpose.
https://www.army.mod.uk/intelligence/32235.aspx