Military Intelligence Professional Bulletin - Federation of American ...

to facilitate dialogue and understanding to better advise the commander on the impact of local religions
on the military mission. It is another thing altogether for a chaplain to gather information in a religious
liaison capacity that unethically could be used for targeting or other offensive operations. 14 Afghan religious
leaders place a high value on clergy. The U.S. Army chaplain can engage in a respectful dialogue and
exchange of ideas and cultural sensitivities in discussions with indigenous clergy. But the sacredness of
such dialogue must not be compromised by IO personnel eager to glean any information from the chaplain
that may help their mission. A military chaplain who compromises the sacred bond between clergy will be
instantly discredited by Afghan clerics, promoting distrust and disdain of all U.S. personnel.
There are some legitimate ways a chaplain can serve as a staff officer in general support of IO. Chaplains
working as liaisons with indigenous clergy can have a positive influence on the way American intentions
and operations are perceived. These chaplain “liaison officers” are a part of IO and require a thorough
understanding of the key religious leaders, religious worldview of the population, and social structure.
The G2, G3, G5, and IO personnel often overlook or under emphasize this understanding. The staff chaplain,
as a liaison with indigenous clergy, can be a crucial person in the analysis of religion and culture in
IO, preventing U.S. and allied troops from committing cultural or religious blunders. For example, Joint
Publication (JP) 1-05 allows the chaplain to advise commanders through their liaison roles with host nation
religious leaders. Army Field Manual 1-05 states the same thing, instructing chaplains to support the
Commander through relationships with indigenous clergy. 15
The optimal time to integrate the analysis of religion and culture is during the mission analysis phase
of the military decision making process (MDMP). This responsibility generally falls upon the G2/J2 Plans
section. Here the chaplain can provide input as to the role of religion on military operations. Since IO sections
can be small and limited in time and religious resources, ad hoc members are necessary to develop
the cultural analysis requirement. It is here that a staff chaplain can contribute significantly. During the
mission analysis, the IO section develops the IO Intelligence Preparation of the Battlespace (IPB). Essential
elements of IO IPB include: an in-depth analysis of religion; an awareness of important religious and cultural
dates and observances; an understanding of religious and social structure, and recognition of key
religious leaders and their probable influence.
FM 3-13 defines IO as “…the employment of the core capabilities of electronic warfare, computer network
operations, psychological operations, military deception, and operations security, in concert with specified
supporting and related capabilities, to affect or defend information and information systems, and to influence
decision making.” 16 The FM specifically excludes the chaplain from the list of coordinating, special,
and personal staff who have IO planning and support responsibilities. UMT personnel, both chaplains and
chaplain assistants, should not be involved in the planning or execution of IO with the sole exceptions of
security for themselves and friendly forces and the location of sacred or humanitarian sites.
All the core and supporting IO capabilities and functions, with the exception of operational and physical
security, are either combatant tasks which chaplains, as noncombatants, are not legally authorized to directly
engage in or highly technical tasks which are outside the realm of chaplain’s professional responsibilities.
Chaplain assistants, though combatants, should not be involved in the planning or execution of IO
with the same exceptions, because their close association with the chaplain could create the appearance
or contribute to the perception of the chaplain’s involvement in IO. 17
Chaplains as Liaisons with Indigenous Clergy and IO
Afghanistan is a religious country. Almost 100 percent of Afghans practice some type of Islam. Religion is
a major cultural factor throughout all levels of the society. The role of religion and clergy in peacekeeping
and nation building here must not be devalued. Most senior U.S. Army chaplains, as clergy and as officers,
are well suited to advise commanders on religious issues and to act as intermediaries between military and
indigenous religious leaders. Chaplains are positioned to communicate with local religious leaders to promote
trust, coordination, problem solving, and to reduce local violence. 18 They can serve their commanders
by acting as mediators with local mullahs or imams to build a relationship for civil military operations
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