“Gaps” in Intelligence Communications

Abstract

Information is particularly crucial within the military, where the results of miscommunication can be devastating. This master thesis explores the flow of information within the United States Air Force. The author is an intelligence operations officer and he relates his experiences, detailing many of the difficulties that exist in relaying information, and how these difficulties are dealt with. Difficulties explored within this thesis include the heavy use of acronyms and jargon within the military that can be confusing, especially to new recruits and people with no prior military training, as well as working with different commanders, or detailing information outside of the author’s own area of expertise. As a result, preparation for a briefing is widely dependent upon the composition of the audience. The thesis includes four sample modules to illustrate the differences between a situation briefing before and after revisions are made to make accommodations according to the target audience.