Leading With An Analytical Mind

10.25.2009

Story by Master Sgt. Paul Wade 

69th Public Affairs Detachment

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Alejandro Santana is an anomaly. This unassuming sergeant from the California Army National Guard is a rare commodity within his unit. He is the lone 35F Intelligence Analyst assigned to the 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, who has more than 320 Soldiers deployed to eastern Kosovo helping to maintain a safe and secure environment.

He is surrounded by a sea of combat arms troops, who typically bond with each other, forged from relative experiences, lineage and devotion to their skill set. This outlying sergeant practices his valuable proficiency in a secret island hideaway known as the Intelligence Section or S2. Secured behind doors, under tight lock and key with restricted access, this Kingsburg, Calif., native, who just got his sergeant stripes in August, pulls his own weight in gold knowing that his analytical intuition plays a key role in KFORs command directive.

"Even though I am not infantry, I love working with these guys. They are true warriors, the real deal. I try and learn what I can from them and at the same time provide them with what they need to accomplish their mission," said Santana.

What the Modesto, Calif., based infantry Soldiers need while patrolling their area of responsibilities within the Multi-National Task Force-East sector is viable intelligence on probable risks, negative trends, illegal activity and identification of persons attempting to deceive or do harm. The delivery of this valuable product has to be timely enough to be useful during the patrol's decision making process.

Santana has some help in the development and distribution of his intelligence reports. In his section are operators of like minds, but differing experience. The S2 think tank is staffed by two other sergeants and two officers whom each individually, have 20 more years of life experience under their belt and due to the very nature of their business require Santana, who is barely old enough to drink alcohol, to act more mature than other 21 year olds his age.

"The young analyst doesn't have to put on an act as he is already married, a father of two, and nothing makes you grow up faster than having to raise a child, let alone two," said Santana. The disparity in the experience was bridged quite easily also as no one had his unique skill. The mission required the methodical tradecraft of a 35F and the intelligence community itself is filled with those who are thirsty for knowledge, so like an untapped resource the section fed off his talent.

"He is not your typical 21 year old. We saw his potential like a flower waiting to bloom. We have all learned from him," said Capt. Richard Chappell, an Armor branch qualified officer assigned as the Battalion S2, officer in charge. "He is serious about his job and able to take intel and make it relevant. He has become one of our most trusted agents."

"I am a 35P, Cryptologic Linguist, and knew [the mission] was in need of a 35F, so when I came onboard he was able to teach me how to cross-level and help him do his analyst duties," said Sgt. Daniel Knox, 48.

A little more than a year ago Santana was turning wrenches in a maintenance company. After returning home from the U.S. Army Intelligence Center in Ft. Huachuca, Ariz., his unit had transformed into a haven for mechanics and weren't sure what to do with him. Luckily, during annual training he was identified by the 184th as having a critical skill and immediately plucked for the 9 month deployment to the Balkan nation in support of KFOR.

"Intelligence gathering here in Kosovo has reinforced what my school taught me. I'm glad I'm able to use what I was trained on. Part of my job deals with what we call spheres of influence and persons of interest and we also utilize a system called JADOCS," said Santana. The Joint Automated Deep Operations Coordination System is another technical resource used by 35Fs to fight their own brand of warfare. It provides war fighters the capabilities to de-conflict crucial mission information. Another asset the S2 section employs is the age-old map and they wallpaper their office with hundreds of them.

Working in a section manned by Soldiers who out rank him leaves little room to lead but Santana has leaned heavily on those who have guided him to becoming part of the time honored NCO Corps in finding ways to make an impact.

"When I got promoted, my battalion commander, Lt. Col. [Dirk] Levy, said 'we are giving you these stripes, not for what you have done but what you are capable of', and that struck a chord in me. The mentorship of people like Capt. Chappell, who was a staff sergeant and Staff Sgt. [Jeremy] Rodgers, our battalion training NCO, has helped me realize that a lot of people believe in me," said Santana.

"What I'm good at is critical thinking. There are many opportunities for me to show my leadership even if it is through my technical proficiency and what being a sergeant means to me right now is being ready at any given moment. When things go hot my brain is trained to switch to critical thinking mode."

His daily ten hour shifts with a half day on Sunday provide plenty of time to be vigilant and on the pulse of the latest happenings in the sector. During his off duty time to relax he doesn't stray far from his methodical mentality as he enjoys putting pen to paper writing lyrics to hip-hop music he creates on his own mixer. He produces music that honors those who he looks after, serving on the front lines and knows where he really makes an impact.

"If [the intelligence section] does our jobs right then the bad guys get caught and go to jail and the good guys get to go home," said a very mature Santana.