Intelligence: US Army ADP 2-0

Q: Who is this book for?

A: This handbook is for military personnel, intelligence professionals, analysts, defense students, researchers, writers, and readers who want to understand how the U.S. Army defines and uses intelligence as a core warfighting function.

Q: What does the handbook cover?

A: It explains the role of intelligence in Army operations, how intelligence supports commanders and staffs, how information is developed into situational understanding, and how Army intelligence connects with joint, interagency, intergovernmental, multinational, and wider U.S. intelligence-community capabilities.

Q: What does “intelligence as a warfighting function” mean?

A: It means intelligence is treated as one of the essential systems through which Army forces understand the operational environment and make decisions. Rather than being a separate specialist activity, intelligence is integrated with command, maneuver, fires, protection, sustainment, and the other functions required to conduct operations effectively.

Q: Is this mainly for intelligence specialists?

A: No. The doctrine is explicitly intended to be understood by soldiers and Army civilians who interact with the intelligence warfighting function, not only by intelligence professionals. Its purpose is to establish a common framework for how intelligence supports operations throughout the Army.

Q: Is this an intelligence tradecraft manual?

A: No. It does not primarily teach collection techniques, interrogation, surveillance, or other specialized forms of tradecraft. Instead, it explains the doctrinal role of intelligence: how it contributes to understanding the environment, supports decision-making, and integrates with the broader operational process.

Q: Is this useful outside the military?

A: Yes, particularly for readers interested in intelligence studies, defense analysis, national security, military planning, or organizational decision-making. It provides a concise primary-source explanation of how a major military organization thinks about converting information into useful operational understanding.

Q: What makes this different from a conventional book about military intelligence?

A: This is official Army doctrine rather than a historical account or an individual author's interpretation. It focuses on the principles and organizational framework that govern how intelligence supports Army operations, making it particularly useful as a foundation for understanding more specialized intelligence publications.

Q: Is this a large or highly technical manual?

A: No. At around 30 pages, this is a concise doctrinal publication rather than a comprehensive intelligence textbook. Its value lies in establishing the essential concepts and relationships quickly, making it a good introduction before moving on to more detailed Army intelligence manuals.

Q: Why choose the full-size edition?

A: The book is presented in a full 8.5 × 11-inch format, giving the doctrinal text and illustrations plenty of room despite the publication's relatively short length. It works well as a compact professional reference that can be read quickly and returned to when broader intelligence concepts need clarification.