text: FM 2-22.3 _________________________________________________________________________________
  • Area handbooks. These handbooks provide detailed information about
  a specific area of the world. They provide information on political,
  economic, sociological, cultural, military, biographic, transportation,
  and geographic topics. The CIA and other agencies publish area
  handbooks annually. The US Department of State website also has
  continuously updated information on trouble spots around the world.
  • Previous HUMINT reporting. The HUMINT collector should
  familiarize himself with all previous relevant reporting from the AO.
  This will provide him with insight into current operations, the types of
  information collected, and may help identify information gaps.
  • Photographs, maps, and other geospatial products. In conducting
  general research, the HUMINT collector should become familiar with
  the AOs. This not only will help identify specific areas of HUMINT
  collection potential but also will be invaluable in both the questioning
  of specific sources and the maneuver of the HCT.
  • Subject matter experts (SMEs) and technical research. Before
  deploying to an AO or before supporting on a particular mission, the
  HUMINT collector may identify particular areas in which he lacks
  critical knowledge. For example, a HUMINT collector who has
  previously been operating in an area with a conventional enemy may
  be deployed to an area with an unconventional threat from irregular
  forces. Also, intelligence requirements may focus on equipment that is
  unfamiliar to the HUMINT collector. In order to prepare himself, the
  HUMINT collector contacts SMEs or analysts or uses technical
  materials to gain background information.
  • Other reports. Intelligence agencies publish numerous reports and
  summaries that are readily available to the HUMINT collector.
  CLOSED AND OPEN-SOURCE INFORMATION (USE OF REACH)
  7-5. Reach is a process by which deployed military forces rapidly access
  information from, receive support from, and conduct collaboration and
  information sharing with other units and organizations (deployed in theater
  and from outside the theater) unconstrained by geographic proximity,
  echelon, or command. Intelligence support is established based on
  requirements that will help the commanders (regardless of echelon) make
  decisions. Reach can be accomplished in various ways. There is no
  requirement for all intelligence functional areas or echelons to use the same
  approach; hence, there is no common standard for all units to use. Each
  organization or section should develop its strategy on using the various
  intelligence reach components. Standard enabling tools will provide for
  easier access than ever before (for example, access to the INSCOM
  Information Dominance Center).