Issuing a Request for Information closes intelligence gaps when local sources fall short in JOPES planning.

Title: When Local Intel Falls Short: Why an RFI Is the Right Move in JOPES Planning

Let me set the scene. You’ve lined up intelligence requirements, the planning clock is ticking, and your team is piecing together a picture of the operational environment. Local sources are solid for most parts, but suddenly a few critical gaps appear. What do you do when those local sources can’t meet the mark? The answer is cleaner than you might think: issue a Request For Information, or an RFI. It sounds formal, and in practice it is—but it’s also the smart, proactive move that keeps operations moving with confidence.

The heartbeat of intelligence planning in joint operations

In joint operations, intelligence requirements act like a map. They tell you what information you need to make solid decisions: enemy dispositions, weather effects on routes, civilian pop and humanitarian considerations, sustenance and logistics outlooks, and a dozen other variables that shape how missions unfold. When those requirements are clear and well-scoped, planners can anticipate risk and allocate assets smartly.

But reality isn’t a neat map. It’s a messy landscape with fog, time pressure, and competing priorities. Often local sources—things you can pull from near the joint task force, theater intelligence estimates, or on-the-ground liaison teams—provide most of what you need. Yet there are moments when they can’t deliver. Maybe the information is classified, delayed, or simply not available at the right level of detail. It’s in those moments that RFIs prove their worth.

When local sources can’t meet requirements: the go-to move

Here’s the thing. If you’ve done your homework and the gaps threaten planning or decision-making, waiting around isn’t a recipe for success. Reassessing the requirements on the fly can slow you down and risk chasing the wrong problem. Digging through outdated reports invites stale assumptions that don’t reflect the current reality. And hoping for new intelligence updates to magically appear—well, that’s tantamount to hoping the weather clears before you reach the airfield. In short, the practical path is to issue an RFI.

What exactly is an RFI?

RFI stands for a Request For Information. It’s a formal mechanism used to solicit additional information or intelligence from higher levels of command or from other intelligence resources. Think of it as a targeted, official ping sent to the people who can most quickly fill the gap. The goal is simple: specify the exact neutral question, the scope, and the timeframe, so responders know what’s needed and when. The result is a clearer, more complete picture that supports timely decisions and better planning.

You might wonder who handles RFIs. In a typical joint operation, RFIs are crafted by staff in collaboration with intelligence officers (often from the J-2 or equivalent intelligence cell), planners, and operations teams. The request then moves up the chain to where it can draw on broader intelligence assets—national agencies, allied partners, or additional theater intelligence resources. The path isn’t a mystery novel; it’s a well-lit corridor designed to speed up answers rather than hide them.

How an RFI actually moves through the system

• Define the gap precisely: What information is missing? What decision depends on it? By when do you need it?

• Draft a tight RFI: Include the specific questions, the region or area of interest, the required time frame, and any constraints on sources or methods. The clearer the questions, the faster the responses.

• Route to the right responders: This could be higher command echelons, national intelligence agencies, or specialized assets that can gather the needed data.

• Set a response timeline: Time is part of the information you’re asking for. A realistic deadline helps keep the operation on track.

• Synthesize and integrate: Once the info lands, update your intelligence products and revise planning assumptions accordingly.

The payoff of RFIs

RFIs do more than just fill gaps. They do the important work of aligning understanding across the whole joint team. When everyone sees the same, verified information, you’re less likely to chase conflicting assumptions. You also reduce the risk of overreliance on outdated or narrow sources. The result? Better situational awareness, more confident decisions, and smoother collaboration across services and partners.

A quick contrast: why not the other options?

• Reassess the requirements: It can be tempting to rethink what you need, especially if a gap feels stubborn. But reassessment often introduces delays and may push you away from addressing the immediate information shortfall. The gap remains until you fix it with fresh input.

• Use outdated intelligence reports: That sounds like a workaround, but it’s a trap. Old data can mislead you about current threats, terrain, or population dynamics. In fast-moving environments, yesterday’s report isn’t a reliable compass.

• Wait for new intelligence updates: Waiting often costs you time you don’t have. If you’re counting on a future update while decisions are looming, you risk missed opportunities or unaddressed risks.

RFI in the real world: a few practical notes

• Clarity beats volume: A crisp, well-scoped question saves days of back-and-forth. Vague requests generate vague answers—and you’ll end up chasing your tail.

• Prioritize relevance: Focus on information that directly informs a decision or plan. If it doesn’t change the course of action, it might belong in a later cycle.

• Foster collaboration: RFIs aren’t a one-way street. The responses should feed back into the joint planning process, with clear attribution to sources and a transparent rationale for how the new data changes the plan.

• Manage expectations: Set realistic, explicit timelines for responses. If the request is urgent, flag it and coordinate with the requestor to accelerate where permissible.

• Balance speed and accuracy: A hastily written RFI can carry the wrong assumptions. Take the time to be precise, but don’t let caution stall critical decisions.

A small digression that helps the point land

Think of RFIs like asking a neighbor for directions when you’re lost in a big city. Your map shows you the general layout—the streets you should be on and the big landmarks. But when you hit an alley that isn’t on the map, you pull out your phone, shoot a quick message to someone who knows the area, and a moment later you have a precise turn-by-turn. The same logic applies in joint planning: you rely on reliable local knowledge, but when you hit a dead end, you reach out to the broader intelligence network to fill the gap. The sooner you ask, the sooner you’re back on course.

Common pitfalls—and how to dodge them

• Ambiguity in questions: If the request isn’t precise, you’ll get answers that don’t fit your needs. Be specific about the who, what, where, when, and why.

• Overloading the request: Don’t bundle multiple gaps into one RFI. Separate them so responders can deliver focused, timely information.

• Poor follow-through: A missing synthesis step can leave you with raw data that’s hard to apply. Always close the loop—update plans, share the results, and explain how the new intel shifts the approach.

• Underestimating the chain: RFIs travel through a network. If you skip steps or bypass key offices, you’ll slow the flow of information and degrade trust.

A practical checklist for staff, when gaps appear

• Define the exact information shortfall and its operational impact

• Draft a concise, targeted RFI with a clear deadline

• Identify the best responders (higher HQ, national agencies, allies, ISR assets)

• Include constraints on sources or methods to avoid sensitive or restricted paths

• Confirm the deadline and escalation path if responses lag

• Integrate incoming data into the intelligence products and adjust plans as needed

• Communicate results to the whole planning team to maintain shared situational awareness

Closing thought: the human edge in planning

When you’re coordinating joint efforts, you’re balancing speed, accuracy, and risk. An RFI isn’t a badge of weakness or a sign of hesitation; it’s a disciplined, proactive move that keeps the campaign narrative grounded in reality. It signals that your team values timely, credible information over clever guesses. And that, in turn, keeps soldiers safer, missions clearer, and operations more coherent.

If you’ve followed the chain and seen a gap you can’t bridge with what’s on hand, you’re not failing the plan—you’re strengthening it. An RFI is your bridge to better intelligence, a smarter map, and a more reliable path through uncertain terrain. It’s one of those quiet, essential tools in the joint planner’s kit that pays off when the going gets tough.

In the end, when local sources can’t meet the call, the right move is straightforward: ask for what you need, from the right people, in the right way. The information arrives, and with it, a clearer picture of the road ahead. That clarity is what keeps operations on track and teams moving forward together.