"Communications without intelligence is noise; Intelligence without communications is irrelevant."

~ Former Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, Gen. Alfred. M. Gray

That's so true. It's like you need to find a balance. If I just sat there and didn't talk to my friend, that would be lopsided or if I talked his head off to no end, he would just think it was a bunch of noise.

Surely intelligence without relevant action is even more irrelevant. Although this does depend on how you define communication.

I must say, a lovely quote and very apt. Thankyou Reverend.

Nice quote.
A little contradictory in some way, though, taking in consideration that there couldn't be any completely successful "communication process" with "noise" in the middle of it, and the "intellingence" part is already within any "communication process" per se.
But that is just a detail. The idea is absolutely clear.

I would agree that communication without intelligence is but producing noise, but why should intelligence without communications be irrelevant? Isn't it relevant for the owner, even if he does not choose to communicate?

Or was the statement meant for marines only? That would make more sense.

Not that I would choose to put words in the good Reverend Svengali's mouth, but I would interpret that statement to mean that intelligence that goes unapplied is completely irrelevant.

Hey!

And of course, all the cool quotes come from the Marines!

Here is a favorite:

"Come on, you sons of bitches! Do you want to live forever?"
- GySgt. Daniel J. "Dan" Daly (1918).

I can still hear my Dad telling me the story of how the Marines came to be known as Devil Dogs...what a time in history!

That's what I assumed. Thank you.

intelligence that goes unapplied is completely irrelevant

Absolutely.

Intelligence is branched out into various types, usually given the means it is obtained. The problem with our intelligence is the confirmation of that intelligence. During OIF, I was initially shocked by just how many confirmations the Generals wanted of specific targets and their locations before the green light was given. It's almost perfectionism that gets very stressful. So why is some good intel not applied? It could be for many reasons, but I do know there is an underlying competition where intel isn't sent up through the proper channels because certain people want the credit for it (which I can understand when so many take credit for other people's work in this business), but I however do not play such games. My pride lies in the expressed loyalty of my soldiers and getting the job done (but I am enlisted and can afford to have such an attitude--one of the reasons I chose not pursue a commission).

Now that the focus has shifted to individual people (not equipment) and underground groups and activities, it's 100 times the challenge (both for the analyst and the "trigger puller")

I like this one.


"They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist. . . ."

General John Sedgwick, Union Commander, d. 1864
Killed in battle during US Civil War.

Two of the best qoute's come from the Korea.

"Retreat Hell! We're just attacking in another direction."

Attributed to Major General Oliver P. Smith, CG of the 1st Marine Division in Korea (1950), regarding his order for Marines to move southeast to the Hamhung area from the Hagaru perimeter.

"We've been looking for the enemy for several days now, we've finally found them. We're surrounded. That simplifies our problem of getting to these people and killing them."

Attributed to Colonel Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller during the Chosin Reservoir campaign in Korea, November 1950. Quoted in Marine! The Life of LtGen Lewis B. (Chesty) Puller, USMC (Ret.)

Always looking on the bright side of combat.
And of couse this wonderfull bit of commentary

"The safest place in Korea was right behind a platoon of Marines. Lord, how they could fight. The Reds told us they were afraid to tangle with the Marines and avoided them when they could be located."

Major General Frank E. Lowe, USA, Presidential observer on Korean War, in the Washington Daily News 26 Jan 1952

kinda the way the Charlie Brown kids hear the adults....