-: I am corporal Valérie Larrivée from, Rivière-du-Loup
and I am an intelligence operator.
-: Intelligence operators evaluate risks, identify threats,
and assess enemy intentions
to anticipate the future in an ever-changing world.
Intelligence operators provide commanders
and senior leaders with the information they require
to make decisions.
They do research, provide briefings, answer questions,
and provide various types of graphic intelligence products,
all contributing to effective decision making.
-: An intelligence operator is part of
what is called the intelligence cycle.
So basically a commander will initiate an action plan
and we will aim to achieve the objectives
that the commander is looking for,
and then we will start to make a plan to gather information
and then analyze it.
So it's really the analysis of all the data
that creates the intelligence,
and that allows the commander to see all aspects
and variables to be able to make an informed decision.
-: This information also helps brief soldiers
before any mission with tactics, doctrine,
and what to expect from threats, limitations,
and vulnerabilities.
-: So intelligence operators use different systems at
different levels to get a holistic view
of the situation at hand,
whether it's a geopolitical situation
or more technical specifications
that could potentially impact Canadian Armed
Forces operations.
And all that, of course, is based on pre-established needs.
-: Intelligence operators follow events,
but also ask what the causes are, what's happening
behind the scenes, and what will happen next.
They must make judgements based on incomplete,
contradictory, and time sensitive information.
-: Here at 14 Wing, we support the CP 140 Aurora,
which will conduct maritime patrols.
This plane has significant capabilities to collect images
and other types of information.
When the images come back to us, we will be in charge
of analyzing them, disseminating the reports
and images to other agencies,
and creating a database and history record.
-: As their career advances,
intelligence operators will have opportunity
for specialization
and promotion in fields like strategic analysis,
cyber operations, imagery analysis, targeting,
and human intelligence.
-: The major aspect of this job is the opportunity
to get involved in projects
and initiatives that are truly bigger than oneself.
What I mean is that intelligence operators will often be
required to deploy with the CP 140
Aurora, we start with a detachment of around 50 people,
so the intelligence operator will be there
for all the steps, including the image analysis at the end,
and often we to see results practically in real time.
Last year I had the opportunity to deploy to Japan,
where I went scuba diving several times.
I also participated in a training exercise in the south
of France and went mountain biking in Pyrenees.
Taking my mountain bike to the top
of a mountain on an aerial cable car was quite an experience
and definitely worth it. The last five years
have presented me with the challenges I expected,
and then some, I've gotten even more opportunities than I
initially anticipated.
It is not over yet,
and I am definitely proud to have contributed to operations
during my deployments.