Military Analyst Mobile Training Team Instructor & Combat Intelligence Support Operations Specialist: My Experience

Guest Post by Tiffani Maynor

Today, I want to share my experience as a military analyst mobile training team instructor and combat intelligence support operations specialist.  My goal is to share what I learned while in the job, so you can learn from my successes and mistakes.

I was a military analyst mobile training team instructor assigned with duty at Fort Huachuca. I was tasked to provide training on some of the new standard intelligence operating systems in Iraq between 2005 and 2007. The new systems were being streamlined into forward operating units in Iraq to assist in providing newer improved methods of analysis for a Division size element.

While I was deployed I also worked as an analyst in an All Source Center. I provided analysis support using sophisticated systems that provided a full battlefield operation picture of initial threats. My primary duty of responsibility was to provide mobile training team instructions on the new analysis systems to permanent party enlisted soldiers who were in their first term of enlistment.

I was augmented through (TRADOC) Training and Doctrine Command assigned to support a Division. I provided training and analysis support to a company size unit that was accountable for providing intelligence support for the Division.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Here is a brief list of the duties and responsibilities I had while in this job.

• Provide training on new updated analysis systems for junior enlisted Soldiers who were brand new to the military analysis field.
• Conduct analysis support for Division Command and Staff directorates.
• Utilized new revised training plans to conduct analysis in support of battlefield operations.
• Provide early warning indicators and briefed analysis reports to members within the Division Command and staff team.
• Manage and supervise more than two junior enlisted soldiers within the All Source Center.
• Manage readiness, training, and physical fitness of Soldiers at all times; i.e. weapons qualification records, physical fitness training readiness, and military occupational training readiness.

What I Liked About the Job

What I liked most about my job was training soldiers. I was not only able to provide further training and knowledge to junior enlisted members who were in their first term of enlistment fulfilling their duties as a military analyst, but I also conducted analysis in support of the Division. I enjoyed being a critical thinker, mentoring Soldiers, working in a team environment with officers and senior enlisted members.  I was a Staff Sergeant in the Army at the time I was deployed so not only was I learning how to fulfill additional duties that were required to satisfy the unit’s mission, I was able to learn more about myself and how I could improve my skills as an analyst.

What I Disliked About the Job

There are challenges in all military occupational specialty fields. No MOS is perfect or fun all of the time.  Working in a fast pace environment where briefings had to be prepared within a short amount of time to include maintaining eyes on the battlefield to provide information significant to the needs of the Commander’s decision making process is the most challenging. It is important to be able to multi-task especially when fulfilling a leadership role because not only are you having to supervise soldiers at the same time, you also have to fulfill the constant requirements of the mission to support the personnel conducting ground support operations.

My Biggest Accomplishments in the Job

As an instructor assigned to a mobile training team and fulfilling duties as a military analyst, there were so many accomplishments in which I received recognition for:

• Provided training assessments needs for intelligence operation missions to Commanders in support of the Training and Doctrine Command
• Received personal recognition from Soldiers that received training on the new involved systems.
• Sustained the ability to work in a fast pace environment and multitask
• Conducted intelligence preparation and analysis of battlefield operations and threats
• Provided early warning indicators that allowed more than five ground forces units to deter certain threats which could impede the mission

Tips for Other Military Analysts

• Integrity is an important aspect to have as a military analyst
• Remaining detailed about the information being reported to superiors is very vital and any information being shared that has an effect on the mission must be confirmed so as to ensure intelligence information being reported is accurate
• Take risks and challenge yourself so as to remain proficient with all tasks and responsibilities
• Be a good leader, set an example, and be a person with good morals so that Soldiers under you can follow by your example
• A good analyst must be knowledgeable at all times and self-sufficient; so it is important to get all the training and knowledge necessary to remain competent
• Mistakes and errors do occur within this particular field, so it is important to be responsible for any errors made
• Conduct after action reviews with your team to mitigate any inconsistencies that would occur when providing analysis in support of battlefield operations because it is critical
• Maintain a secret to top secret security clearance because it is required due to the fact that you will be exposed with trusted information that is considered classified.

Final Thoughts

Working as a Mobile Training Team Instructor & Combat Intelligence Support Operations Specialist is a fast paced, tough, challenging and rewarding job.  You have an important job on the battlefield, keeping commanders informed of the ever changing intelligence situation.  You also have an important job taking care of your Soldiers.  This job isn’t for everyone, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Soldier Biography:

Tiffani Maynor is a retired Army Veteran with over 15 years of active federal service. She was awarded an early retirement from the Army as a result of her combat related injuries. When Maynor relocated from Fort Huachuca to Phoenix Arizona, she completed her Bachelor degree studies in Criminal Justice. She is currently attending Grand Canyon University to pursue MSA studies in Criminology where she will soon begin an intern program as a crime scene technician in 2015. She continues to volunteer within the Fort Huachuca community as an Army Family Team Building instructor and volunteers at a local children’s home in Arizona. The Army veteran currently works as an independent contract journalist for two reputable news headlines in the Phoenix Arizona area.

Sincerely,








Chuck Holmes
Former Army Major (resigned)
Publisher, Part-Time-Commander.com
Email: mrchuckholmes@gmail.com

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