Biometrics Tiger Team gets First-hand Look of Technology in the Field

Identification verification.

Earlier this year, Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, ADM Edmund Giambastiani, Jr., tasked the biometrics Executive Agent to form a team that would assess biometric capabilities in theater. The Biometrics Tiger Team, led by MG Conrad Ponder, DoD Executive Agent and CIO/G-6, with the Director, DoD Biometrics and a team of representatives from the Joint Staff, G-3, G-2, PEO EIS, Special Operations Command and the FBI was formed to assess the needs, issues and accomplishments of biometrics in the field. From April 24 to May 5, the Team visited sites with biometric capabilities in Kuwait, Afghanistan, Qatar, Bahrain and Iraq.

The Tiger Team focused on the use of three biometric systems: Biometrics Automated Toolset (BAT), Biometric Identification System for Access (BISA), and Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS). According to DoD Biometrics Director COL David Scarbalis, the team found biometrics in widespread use from the intended design of base access, force protection, and intelligence exploitation to the more unconventional use as a community management tool. While biometric technology is meeting an obvious need, the Team primarily focused on identifying issues facing both tactical and strategic support, as well as recommending a road map to address integration and biometric data sharing for the future.

“It is always helpful for policy makers to see operations in the field,” said Tiger Team member LtCol John Manson, Plans, Policy & Operations, HQ Marine Corps. “Obviously, biometrics will shape Marine operations in the future.”

“The trip was highly successful in orienting a diverse group to the challenges facing biometrics,” Scarbalis said. He added that the Team had many opportunities to speak with a variety of Service members employing biometrics. “General Ponder is particularly approachable and talked with operators everywhere we went,” he said. One thing we saw wherever we went, Scarbalis noted is that “the ingenuity of the American Service member is alive and well.”

Scarbalis said the group was treated with great respect at every stop. Of particular interest on the itinerary was a tour of the Abu Ghraib Detention Center where the Team was shown the biometric process by which detainees are processed.

The Tiger Team will submit its findings back to the Campaign Planning Committee, and its members will share their experiences in future meetings of the Biometric Advisory Council and the Community of Interest.

Tiger Team at Camp Eggers, Kabul, Afghanistan.

Front row (left to right): James Strom, MAJ Chris Mongirdas, LtCol John Manson, SSG Austin Freck, Jr., Col Mike Bennett, MAJ Dan McNamara, LTC Johnson, LTC Troy Techau.

Back row (left to right): MAJ Mike Galope, COL David Scarbalis, Ron
Bechtold, MG Conrad Ponder, COL Scott Pritchett, COL Steve Bristow, Tom Lynch.