DA Form 7861: SIGINT Collection Team Scorecard (Tier 3) – DA Form 7861, officially titled Scorecard for SIGINT Collection Team MI Training Strategy Tier 3, is a standardized U.S. Army evaluation tool used to assess and certify SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) Collection Teams. Published on February 1, 2020, by the Army Publishing Directorate, this form supports the Military Intelligence Training Strategy (MITS) at Tier 3 level.
It provides commanders and evaluators with an objective method to measure crew proficiency in tactical SIGINT operations, particularly for units operating systems like the Prophet and other tactical SIGINT platforms within Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs).
Official Download Link:
DA Form 7861 PDF
Understanding the Military Intelligence Training Strategy (MITS)
The Military Intelligence Training Strategy (MITS) is the U.S. Army’s tiered training and certification framework designed to build and validate intelligence readiness across all echelons. MITS ensures MI units can effectively support Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO) in multi-domain environments.
MITS is divided into four tiers:
- Tier 1: Intelligence Warfighting Function
- Tier 2: MI Platform Certification
- Tier 3: MI Crew Certification (DA Form 7861 applies here for SIGINT teams)
- Tier 4: Individual MOS Proficiency
Tier 3 focuses specifically on collective crew tasks, making DA Form 7861 essential for SIGINT Collection Team certification.
Purpose and Importance of DA Form 7861
DA Form 7861 serves as the primary scorecard for evaluating SIGINT Collection Teams under MITS Tier 3. Its main purposes include:
- Measuring crew-level proficiency in SIGINT collection, direction finding, and reporting
- Identifying training gaps before deployment or major exercises
- Standardizing evaluation across Army MI units
- Supporting commanders in assessing overall intelligence readiness
In today’s contested electromagnetic spectrum (EMS), well-trained SIGINT teams provide critical advantages by detecting, locating, and exploiting enemy communications and signals.
Key Tasks Evaluated on DA Form 7861
The scorecard evaluates essential collective tasks aligned with TC 2-19.403, including:
- Conducting SIGINT surveys
- Performing voice communications intercept
- Executing radio direction finding (RDF)
- Operating tactical SIGINT systems in crew configuration
- Integrating SIGINT with other intelligence disciplines
- Mission planning, execution, and After Action Reviews (AARs)
Evaluators use the form to document performance standards and determine whether the team meets certification criteria.
How to Properly Use DA Form 7861?
Follow these steps for effective implementation:
- Review TC 2-19.403 and unit Mission Essential Task List (METL)
- Plan and conduct realistic Tier 3 training events
- Evaluate the team during live, simulated, or constructive training
- Complete the DA Form 7861 scorecard
- Conduct AAR and record results for unit readiness tracking
- Certify the team upon meeting all standards
Integration with the Intelligence Electronic Warfare Tactical Proficiency Trainer (IEWTPT) is highly recommended for realistic signal environments.
Best Practices for SIGINT Collection Team Training
- Combine MITS Tier 3 with complementary training from other tiers
- Emphasize multi-domain operations and EW integration
- Conduct regular crew drills and cross-training
- Leverage Foundry sites and other intelligence training enablers
- Maintain detailed records of all certifications
Consistent use of DA Form 7861 helps units avoid training deficiencies and maintain high readiness levels.
Related MITS Scorecards
DA Form 7861 is part of a complete family of MITS evaluation tools, including:
- DA Form 7860 – Cryptologic Support Team
- DA Form 7862 – Intelligence Processing Crew
- Other discipline-specific scorecards (GEOINT, HUMINT, etc.)
All forms work together to support standardized MI training and certification.
DA Form 7861 is a critical tool for building and certifying combat-ready SIGINT Collection Teams in the U.S. Army. Proper use of this scorecard, in conjunction with TC 2-19.403, significantly enhances intelligence capabilities and supports mission success in modern warfare.
For the most current version, always download directly from the official source:
DA Form 7861