Military Intelligence Professional Bulletin - Federation of American ...

the commander with religious/humanitarian support. Chaplains are also, by regulation, to “provide liaison
to indigenous religious leaders in close coordination with the G5.” 3 Additionally, chaplains coordinate
with elements of the G9 (Civil Affairs) in religious liaison/mullah engagements. 4
Information Operations
Based primarily on advanced technology, IO is an element of combat power. It encompasses attacking
adversary command and control (C2) systems while protecting friendly C2 from adversary disruption.
Thus IO has both offensive and defensive capabilities. The goal of IO is to produce information
superiority over the enemy at decisive points. Commanders conduct IO to apply combat power to
achieve information superiority on the battlefield. Enemy intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance
(ISR), and targeting are all part of IO. Offensive IO seeks to destroy, degrade, disrupt, deny, deceive,
and exploit enemy forces. A high value target of IO is enemy center of gravity, typically communication
and headquarters locations, to target enemy decision makers and information systems.
IO maximizes the use of technology to shape the combat power of friendly forces. In FM 3-13, Information
Operations, the following summary of IO is provided:
“Commanders conduct (plan, prepare, execute, and assess) IO to apply the information element of combat
power. Combined with information management and ISR operations; effective IO results in gaining and
maintaining information superiority. Information superiority creates conditions that allow commanders to
shape the operational environment and enhance the effects of all elements of combat power. IO has two
categories, offensive IO and defensive IO. Commanders conduct IO by synchronizing IO elements and related
activities, each of which may be used either offensively or defensively.”
“IO brings together several previously separate functions as IO elements and related activities. To provide unity
of effort, IO is placed under a special staff officer, the assistant chief of staff G7. The G7 has coordinating
staff responsibility for IO. He does this by means of the G7 section and IO cell. Placing responsibility for
synchronizing the activities of the IO elements and related activities on one special staff officer helps
commanders mass their effects to gain and maintain information superiority.” 5
The Army chaplain is a noncombatant. As a religious leader and a staff officer, AR 165-1 states,
“Chaplains are noncombatants and will not bear arms.” 6 This regulation is clear enough. The confusion
relates to the idea of information as a weapon, and that a chaplain may receive information that IO personnel
in the G2, G3, or G7 would like to use in offensive action against enemy forces. There is no approved
doctrinal standard for the role of the chaplain in IO. However, AR 165-1 does suggest possible
roles of the chaplain. For example, it states that, “Commanders will detail or assign chaplains only to
duties related to their profession. Chaplains may perform unrelated duties in a temporary military emergency.”
It also states that a commander will not detail a chaplain as an “information” officer. AR 165-1
further states, “Commanders will not…require a chaplain to serve in a capacity in which he or she may
later be called upon to reveal privileged or sensitive information incident to such service.” 7
The Army chaplain will have some role in advising the commander on religious and cultural issues in
the area of operations (AO). FM 1-05 states that the chaplain will provide “support to the commander
on matters of religion, morals, and morale, as affected by religion and the impact of indigenous religions
on the military mission.” 8 It further states that the chaplain will “provide liaison to indigenous religious
leaders in close coordination with the G5/S5.” 9 The question remains: “At what point does a chaplain as
a religious advisor to the commander cross the line and partake of combatant activities in IO?”
Army chaplains concerned about their involvement with IO are on safe ground when they concentrate
their efforts primarily on providing religious support to soldiers. Religious support includes religious services,
rites, sacraments, ordinances, pastoral care and counseling, religious education, and humanitarian
support. As a staff officer, the chaplain supports the commander and staff, administrates, and acts
as an advisor to the command on indigenous religions. 10 As one chaplain stated, “It is conceivable to witness
commanders demanding that chaplains provide information advantageous to U.S. forces that may
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