MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, Romania -- Marines introduced the concept of Company Level Intelligence Cells to Land Forces brigade officers and noncommissioned officers of the Baltic allies from Nov. 24 - Dec. 3, 2015.
“Pushing analysis and collection down to the company level and enabling the commander is something that the Marine Corps does uniquely well,” said Capt. William Sumption, battalion intelligence officer with Black Sea Rotational Force.
The training was conducted as part of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa’s focused implementation plan for military intelligence engagements. In both Baltic nations, small military intelligence corps can benefit from increasing their tactical information-gathering capabilities using concepts like CLIC.
“We are doing this training to expose our NATO partners to that concept. The [Latvians and Lithuanians] were not hesitant to ask for more information, or to engage with us.”
The teams discussed implementation, history and basic analytical techniques of company-level intelligence cells.
“The Marines, as instructors, were very professional,” said 1st Lt. Igors Siciks, executive officer with B. Co., 1st Infantry Battalion, Latvian Land Forces Brigade. “With this training, I understand more about working with the Marines, and I am more able to give advice and provide assistance to my commander.”
Working with Marine Corps intelligence officers provides improved capabilities for future operations in a broad range of environments. Furthermore, Lithuanian Land Forces aims to create an instructor cadre to further disseminate tactical-intelligence training in their own military.
Black Sea Rotational Force, a rotation of Marines and sailors based out of Eastern Europe, is an essential year-round capability to U.S. European Command and their partners in Europe to enable the alliance.
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