DA Form 7859: HUMINT Tier 3 Scorecard Guide

DA Form 7859: HUMINT Tier 3 Scorecard Guide – DA Form 7859, titled “Scorecard for HUMINT Collection Team MI Training Strategy Tier 3,” is an official U.S. Army form released on February 1, 2020, by the Department of the Army (DA). It serves as a standardized evaluation tool for assessing the performance and readiness of Human Intelligence (HUMINT) Collection Teams within the Military Intelligence (MI) Training Strategy.

This 6-page form is prescribed by Training Circular (TC) 2-19.403 and is used to track and score team proficiency in critical HUMINT tasks. It helps commanders and trainers objectively measure crew-level certification under the tiered MI Training Strategy (MITS) framework.

Download the official DA Form 7859 here: https://armypubs.army.mil/pub/eforms/DR_a/pdf/ARN20951_a7859_FINAL.pdf

Importance of HUMINT Collection Teams in the U.S. Army

HUMINT Collection Teams (HCTs) are essential for gathering intelligence from human sources, including interrogations, debriefings, and source operations. These teams provide actionable insights into adversary intentions, capabilities, and vulnerabilities that technical intelligence alone cannot fully capture.

In modern multi-domain operations, HUMINT supports Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) and higher echelons by filling intelligence gaps, supporting force protection, and enabling informed decision-making. DA Form 7859 ensures these teams maintain high standards through structured evaluation.

Overview of the Military Intelligence Training Strategy (MITS)

The Army’s Military Intelligence Training Strategy (MITS) is a tiered certification program designed to build and validate intelligence readiness across BCTs and other formations. It progresses from individual skills (Tier 4) to crew certification (Tier 3), platform-level proficiency (Tier 2), and full Intelligence Warfighting Function certification (Tier 1).

Tier 3 specifically focuses on MI crew certification, where small teams like HUMINT Collection Teams demonstrate collective proficiency in mission-essential tasks. DA Form 7859 is the primary scorecard for evaluating HUMINT crews at this level, ensuring they can effectively operate in training and real-world environments.

This strategy supports the Army’s goal of “no MI Soldier at rest” and integrates with broader training domains: institutional, operational, and self-development.

Key Components and Purpose of DA Form 7859

The form records essential details such as:

  • Team member names and roles
  • Training dates and scenarios
  • Performance metrics and scores
  • Evaluator comments and recommendations

It evaluates areas including interrogation techniques, source handling, reporting accuracy, planning and preparation, approach strategies, and overall team coordination. Scores help determine if a team achieves Tier 3 certification.

Primary purposes include:

  • Objective assessment of HUMINT team readiness
  • Identification of training gaps
  • Standardization of evaluation across units
  • Documentation for certification and readiness reporting

How to Use DA Form 7859 for HUMINT Training?

Units follow TC 2-19.403 guidelines when conducting Tier 3 training events. Steps typically include:

  1. Preparation: Review training objectives aligned with MITS Tier 3.
  2. Execution: Conduct realistic exercises simulating source operations, interrogations, or debriefings.
  3. Assessment: Evaluators use the scorecard to rate performance against established metrics.
  4. Review and Feedback: Provide detailed feedback and develop remediation plans if needed.

Commanders, S2/G2 sections, and MI unit leaders rely on this form to certify teams before major exercises or deployments. Consistent use ensures HUMINT capabilities remain sharp and mission-ready.

Benefits of Standardized HUMINT Training with DA Form 7859

  • Enhanced Readiness: Ensures teams are proficient before entering higher-tier collective training or combat operations.
  • Consistency: Provides uniform evaluation criteria Army-wide.
  • Accountability: Creates auditable records of training progress.
  • Resource Efficiency: Helps prioritize training efforts on identified weaknesses.
  • Integration with Broader Strategy: Supports overall MITS progression toward full BCT intelligence certification.

This approach has been successfully applied in exercises like those at Joint Multinational Readiness Center, where OPFOR HUMINT elements achieved Tier 3 certification.

Who Should Use DA Form 7859?

  • HUMINT Collection Team leaders (typically 35M MOS)
  • MI Company/Platoon commanders
  • Brigade S2 intelligence officers
  • Training and readiness evaluators
  • Observer/Controllers at Combat Training Centers

All active duty, National Guard, and Reserve MI personnel involved in HUMINT operations benefit from familiarity with this form and the underlying MITS framework.

  • Official Army Publishing Directorate for DA Forms
  • TC 2-19.403: Military Intelligence Training Strategy for the Brigade Combat Team Tier 3
  • FM 2-22.3: Human Intelligence Collector Operations
  • Army Intelligence Training Strategy documents

For the most current guidance, always refer to official Army sources via armypubs.army.mil.

Stay mission-ready with proper HUMINT training documentation. U.S. Army personnel can access and download DA Form 7859 directly from the provided link to support their unit’s Tier 3 certification efforts. This tool remains a cornerstone of professional MI development for maintaining America’s intelligence advantage.