I didn't expand enough on my initial comment/question. Schmedlap offers a great short-term solution, but I was looking long-range.

If operations and intelligence should be considered equal, then the battalion commander should have an S2 and S3 of equal rank. I guess I was envisioning it from this angle- a battalion commander with 2-3 tours in Iraq/Afghan has a junior captain as his S2. Is he really going to listen to the analysis or is the BN XO going to be hamstrung trying to fill the gap?

Moreover, the enlisted MI dudes would get to experience intelligence collection on the lowest levels. As they rise in rank, they would have a better understanding of the data flow v/s the realities on the ground.

If we actually considered this, I don't think it would be as big a burden personnel wise as initially thought considering the massive intel staffs on the highest levels. In 2005, I counted 200 personnel working in the MNC-I G2 staff.

I think the prospect could be win-win for both communities.

v/r

Mike