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proven to be incredibly useful throughout the IC as multifunctionintelligence toolsets. No matter which system is ultimatelyused, SOIC analysts must be well versed on the useof that system in order to effectively capitalize on the technologyavailable.It would be of great benefit to the SOICs and the IC if theother producers of white and green information, such asthe CoIST, HTS, and advisor teams, also used the same software.This would ensure the information gained by theseentities is not lost with the transition of units and it wouldallow for greater collaboration with the IC and other governmentagencies. A dedicated data manager on the SOICteam could serve as the information broker and ensure informationhas been properly added and tagged to the storagesystem.The Way Ahead: Implementation in ArmyDoctrineWith the drawdown of forces in Afghanistan, some maysay SOICs have served their purpose and are no longerneeded. On the contrary, the future utility of SOICs, asproven in Afghanistan, will enable division intelligence leadersand division commanders to gain a comprehensive understandingof future battlefields.Whether the SOIC is formed from various entities withinthe division headquarters or a part of the division G2 section,Army doctrine must change to make the SOIC anenduring part of Army intelligence. While an organic G2 sectionwould be best suited to fulfill such a role, there are twoother options that could help to fill this current void. Ratherthan have an element within the division G2 section, a SOICcould be a part of a battlefield surveillance brigade and attachto a division headquarters when needed.Already being in the same unit as many other robust intelligencesections, they would come into theater with excellentrelationships already established. Another option couldbe to build a SOIC using Soldiers from the civil affairs, informationeffects, and intelligence sections of a division staff.These Soldiers would be organic to their regular sections(G9, G7, and G2, respectively), but bring their skill sets togetherto form the SOIC.However, the recent shift to regionally aligned brigadesmakes these two options undesirable. With this shift, Armyintelligence doctrine must adopt the SOIC as a permanentpart of the division G2 section. Because divisions will nowhave brigades prepared to respond in particular geographicareas, units would be better served with a permanent sectionrather than an ad hoc section formed only in responseto conflicts. This will ensure division commanders have amore complete understanding of an area before they arecharged with deploying their Soldiers into harm’s way.At a minimum, a non-deployed SOIC should be mannedwith a section leader, a deputy, and two analysts. The SOICpersonnel should maintain relationships with the organizationsthat will assist in manning the SOIC once deployed.This would include the sharing of information, cooperationon projects, and other efforts to both inform and maintainthese critical relationships. Once deployed, the SOICSoldiers would fall into the deployed SOIC set-up, whichshould include the addition of NGA, DIA, State Departmentand allied nation representatives, as required by the locationand mission. Ideally, the SOIC would be manned by thesame interagency personnel with whom the SOIC Soldierswould have collaborated during home station preparation.The volume of information gathered by SOIC analysts andthe level of detail they understand will greatly benefit brigadecombat teams. SOICs must now be made a permanentpart of Army divisions and included in Army doctrine. Totake no action would be to ignore lessons learned duringthe last twelve years of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.MAJ James Welch served as the RC-S SOIC Director from August 2012–May 2013 during 3ID’s deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan. CPT AdamStoddard served as the Deputy Director for the RC-S SOIC from February2013–May 2013. He continues to serve as the RC-S SOIC Director underthe Fourth Infantry Division.30 Military Intelligence