Would you like analysis with that?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 00:02:49 -0400

I am currently at post staff duty. I have read my duties, of which there aren't many, but most are relatively time consuming. One of my duties is to provide a selection of news articles for the CG and staff to read in the morning. The current "template" for the task is to simply copy and paste the article and make it look uniform, and provide a table of contents.

As an Intelligence guy I don't really see a ton of value in doing something that anyone could EASILY do for themselves, so on articles related to world events I am providing my analytical point of view; I'm adding a BLUF and an analysis section to the articles.

This thread is primarily directed at those in command, or that have been in command, but all are welcome to respond. Would you prefer to receive some analysis, or simply have a Soldier or Officer provide you with a collection of what they thought might interest you...without the pictures, captions, or analysis?

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Apr 29 at 2014 12:11 AM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 00:11:08 -0400

awkward that they have the PSDO doing this, since the Post/Division Commander has an S-2 section that usually assembles a classified read book for them and key staff.

It may be included in the SDO task list as a professional development tool and/or assessment tool for junior officers on the detail.

Now, as an Intel Officer, BLUF and analysis is what you would/should include. Question will be, since you are taking the extra steps, and are limited to open source... will yours be equal to the product from the S2 staff?

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Apr 29 at 2014 12:47 AM

SSG Robert Burns — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 00:47:59 -0400

Find out if they are liberal or conservative and then post either Fox News articles or MSNBC articles for their opposing views. The requirement will go away quickly.

Response by Cpl Ray Fernandez made Apr 29 at 2014 2:05 AM

Cpl Ray Fernandez — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 02:05:45 -0400

I'd prefer analysis because the way I see things will likely differ from the views of others, and I would prefer to have someone give me their insight and analysis to see if they see the same things I'm seeing. Is there anyone in the staff that you can seek guidance from to possibly give you a better idea of how to complete your tasks? Seeking feedback may give you an opportunity to apply your skills in a more effective manner.

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made Apr 29 at 2014 7:20 AM

SFC Christopher Perry — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 07:20:18 -0400

1LT Siebert,

I started going into this long explanation to validate my answer and realized it was totally unnecessary. Who cares what they want to see? It is an exercise intended to keep you awake and a bit more engaged. Do your analysis, captions and such because it makes a really boring exercise a heck of a lot more fun for you. It is a really long shift, and you probably had nothing better to do any way. Worst case, they will see you put a little effort into something most people just don't give a damn about.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2014 8:58 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 20:58:01 -0400

As the BN S2 of an MI BN I was informed at one point by the S3 that my existence was superfluous because we were in an MI BN and, "everyone in this BN could do your job."

Yeah, right. I set out to make damn sure to prove that false.

I included a single slide every CUB that was my own special work - either a vignette on an insurgent group, or an upcoming Islamic holiday, etc. I started zeroing in on the political picture and developed a no-shit-know-*this* about the Iraqi Constitution that got circulated theater-wide. Next thing you know, I was giving the weekly theater-wide Political Threats portion of the brief to GEN O...as a 2LT!

Do it yourself and knock it out of the park (but be careful not to do things you cannot replicate over and over again - if you pull a rabbit out of the hat, every kid at the party will want to see that trick).