ECPD graduates inaugural Advanced Analyst Course class Published May 11, 2010 By Carl Bergquist Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- The Air Force deputy chief of staff for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance was in attendance when students graduated the inaugural Advanced Analyst Course April 30 in a ceremony at Maxwell's Ira C. Eaker College for Professional Development. "This is our first course for ISR analysis professionals, and based on what I'm seeing so far, I foresee us expanding this course for a greater understanding of intelligence," Lt. Gen. David Deptula said. "The course content will enormously increase effectiveness and enhance commanders' and units' ability in the ISR field." According to course officials, the purpose of the advanced analysis training is to help analysts learn how to think critically and enhance their cognitive performance. The course offers concepts on advanced thinking that are applicable to all work environments, but particularly to the intelligence analysis enterprise. General Deptula said he feels the United States is moving from an era of industrial-age warfare into an era of information-age warfare where the behavior of our adversaries is becoming ever more important. "This type of training is very valuable in securing objectives and to letting our adversaries know we have a better understanding and greater insight into this area," he said. General Deptula said the process of "transforming ISR" to make it more effective in fighting our enemies started about three years ago when Air Force ISR members began looking at areas that needed to be affected or changed. "We decided we needed more emphasis toward knowledge than weapons," he said. "We want our adversaries to know we are taking IRS seriously." The general said the world is changing and becoming more complex, and that is rationale enough for the Advanced Analyst Course. But the speed at which information travels today, how fast a piece of information can flash around the globe igniting long-dormant passions in a vast network of previously unconnected groups or nations, is becoming a hallmark of the threat and risk equation the U.S. seeks to balance. "We're at a critical juncture in history, at the beginning of an information-in-war revolution. One where the speed of information, advance of technology and designs of organizations are merging to change the way we operate, and even think about crisis and conflict," General Deptula said. "This change has dramatically shortened our decision and reaction times and reduced the number of systems it takes to achieve desired effects. Where it used to take months and thousands of Airmen and aircraft with separate functions to attack a single target, today we can find, fix and finish a target from a single aircraft within single-digit minutes." He said the ISR enterprise is only as good as its people, and having analysts who can think rapidly, critically and clearly under pressure takes vigorous and intensive training. The Advanced Analyst Course conducts that type of training and is crafted to develop those results in each and every ISR student that attends. He also said those graduating the course should encourage others to think in this same fashion. "You are the vanguard of a new era in Air Force ISR analysis, an era where we seek more than just rapid analysis but critical insight as well. One where the analysis we put forward is accurate enough to be predictive. This change won't happen overnight, and this course alone won't create within our Air Force ISR enterprise insight and predictive analysis, but you will," General Deptula told the graduates. "I want each and every one of you to do more than just go back to your units and take what you've learned here and apply it. I want you to mentor the people around you in it. You need to make the desire to improve analytic skills contagious." He told graduates the feedback he was getting so far was "great," and he was "thrilled in terms of his initial impression" and looking forward to hearing what the students have to say. He commended the class on completing the course and thanked them for their service. "I congratulate each of you on being selected for, and finishing this course, and I look forward to shaking your hands and handing you your training certificates," the general said. "But what I look forward to most is what all of you will do after today, taking what you've learned here and leading, teaching and making our Air Force ISR Airmen ready and more prepared for the future than we were."