CDASA Operational Support 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the context of operational support, what distinguishes a Priority Intelligence Requirement (PIR) from an information requirement?
- PIRs are classified at the TS/SCI level while information requirements are unclassified
- PIRs directly support a critical decision the commander must make during an operation (Correct answer)
- PIRs are generated by national agencies while information requirements come from tactical units
- PIRs focus only on adversary leadership while information requirements cover all topics
Correct answer: PIRs directly support a critical decision the commander must make during an operation
PIRs are intelligence requirements tied to specific commander decisions, making them the highest priority for collection and production.
Question 2: What is the role of the G2/S2 during the military decision-making process (MDMP)?
- Approving the commander's critical information requirements
- Developing the Intelligence Estimate and supporting course of action development (Correct answer)
- Coordinating logistics support for intelligence assets
- Drafting the operations order for intelligence units
Correct answer: Developing the Intelligence Estimate and supporting course of action development
The G2/S2 develops the Intelligence Estimate, which includes enemy analysis and courses of action, to support the commander's course of action development during MDMP.
Question 3: Which technique do all-source analysts use to determine whether an enemy unit is preparing for offensive operations rather than defensive ones?
- Indications and Warning (I&W) analysis using doctrinal indicators (Correct answer)
- Pattern-of-life analysis focused on civilian movement
- Signals intelligence triangulation of command frequencies
- Geospatial analysis of administrative boundaries
Correct answer: Indications and Warning (I&W) analysis using doctrinal indicators
I&W analysis applies doctrinal indicators of offensive preparation — such as forward logistics movement or bridging equipment deployment — to assess enemy intent.
Question 4: During a relief in place, what intelligence product is most critical for the incoming unit to receive from the outgoing unit?
- A list of all collection assets in theater
- The current enemy situation template and intelligence continuity brief (Correct answer)
- All historical SIGINT intercepts from the past six months
- The outgoing commander's personal assessment of enemy leadership
Correct answer: The current enemy situation template and intelligence continuity brief
The enemy situation template and intelligence continuity brief ensures the incoming unit understands current enemy disposition and ongoing collection efforts without an intelligence gap.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) in the targeting cycle?
- To justify the use of lethal force to legal authorities
- To determine the effectiveness of a strike and whether additional actions are required (Correct answer)
- To assign responsibility for the strike to the appropriate commander
- To provide media-releasable information about strike results
Correct answer: To determine the effectiveness of a strike and whether additional actions are required
BDA determines whether the strike achieved its intended effects and informs the commander whether re-strike or follow-on actions are necessary.
Question 6: An analyst notices that enemy supply convoys consistently move at night and avoid roads with overhead cover. What analytic technique best exploits this pattern?
- Link analysis to map organizational relationships
- Pattern-of-life analysis to predict future convoy routes and timing (Correct answer)
- Traffic analysis to identify command node communications
- Network analysis to identify key logistical nodes
Correct answer: Pattern-of-life analysis to predict future convoy routes and timing
Pattern-of-life analysis identifies behavioral patterns over time, enabling prediction of future enemy actions for targeting or collection.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes the concept of 'collection management' in operational intelligence support?
- Physically securing intelligence collection platforms
- The process of tasking, evaluating, and coordinating collection assets to satisfy intelligence requirements (Correct answer)
- Managing the budget for intelligence collection programs
- Storing and archiving raw intelligence from collection platforms
Correct answer: The process of tasking, evaluating, and coordinating collection assets to satisfy intelligence requirements
Collection management involves translating requirements into taskings, synchronizing assets, and evaluating collection results to refocus efforts as needed.
CDASA Operational Support 3
In the context of operational support, what distinguishes a Priority Intelligence Requirement (PIR) from an information requirement?