| A Front-Line Look at Biometrics
| Q: How do Marines feel about using biometrics on the battlefield? |
A:
Short Answer: they love it. It has become as familiar to many Marines as their M4.
Despite the fact that Soldiers greatly outnumber Marines in Iraq, nearly half of all biometric enrollments are generated by Marines. They understand how it aids them in their mission, and they can't get enough of it.
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| Q: Why are biometrics so important to the Marine Air Ground Task Force ? |
| A: Employment of biometrics on the battlefield denies anonymity to the enemy and limits his freedom of movement. We realize that, in irregular warfare and counter-insurgency operations, we are fighting individuals, not traditional armies. Biometrics allow the Marines to take the fight to the individual. |
| Q: Aside from aiding the warfighter, are there other potential applications for biometrics within the Marine Corps? |
A: Absolutely. Biometrics can further enhance security for installations and secure facilities by positively identifying the individual requesting access. There is also tremendous potential for biometrics to play a major role in humanitarian assistance missions such as the ones conducted following Hurricane Katrina and the Indian Ocean Tsunami. For example, biometrics could be used to positively identify victims or track the location of evacuees so they can be reunited with their families. The truth is we are just scratching the surface when it comes to biometrics and how they can be used, not only to capture those who wish to do us harm, but to protect and save innocent lives as well.
(submitted by Jeremy Powell, BTF Project Manager with Marine Liaison) |
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