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VICENZA, Italy — Sgt. Allen Khosho loves to talk and in the U.S. Army, he found the perfect profession — human intelligence collector.
Incredibly, twenty-five years ago, Khosho barely spoke English.
Recently, as a part of the 207th Military Intelligence Brigade-Theater, Khosho joined fellow intelligence Soldiers to certify their skills during Lightning Focus 2024, the brigade’s annual exercise.
“I learned so much. It’s given me the chance to look at my weaknesses and strengths.” Khosho said. “I feel like it has prepared me for when I will go to the continent.”
Looking back, Khosho has come a long way to get to this point.
While stocking grocery store shelves in his homeland, Iraq, Khosho watched American TV shows with Arabic subtitles and tried to learn as much English as possible. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Khosho got a job cleaning laundry on a U.S. Army post, hoping for better opportunities to support his family. While there, chatting with U.S. Soldiers, his English got better and he became a manager.
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Before long, he was an Iraqi interpreter working with U.S. Army infantry and calvary units. His goal was to join the U.S. Army. After moving to Arizona, he enlisted as an interpreter in the U.S. Army in 2017, meeting that goal. He reclassified to become a human intelligence collector, Khosho gets to do what he does best— talk to people.
Now, as a member of the U.S. Army’s premiere intelligence brigade — Soldiers who served as analysts and collectors — Khosho helped collaborate in an immersive intelligence scenario-based exercise.
Soldiers from the 307th and 522nd Military Intelligence Battalions gained a deeper understanding of the demands and challenges of their missions in Africa, bolstering their confidence for future missions.
"Ensuring our teams are both certified and expertly trained amplifies their effectiveness in Africa,” said Lt. Col. John Wildt, commander of the 307th Military Intelligence Battalion. “The better prepared our soldiers are through intensive training, the more proficient they become at identifying threats and feeding vital intelligence back into the system.”
So, in conjunction with the scenario, Lightning Focus also increased weapons proficiency, basic Soldier skills, junior Soldier and noncommissioned officer development, and unit cohesion.
This was achieved by multiple training events in Northern Italy. Including the theater entry training at the Aviano Air Base’s passenger terminal, where Soldiers had the chance to practice entering foreign theaters and precarious situations.
Lightning Focus 24 culminated in a 24-hour test of mental and physical strength, better known as a Mungadai. This intense event, named after Genghis Khan's historic test, included Soldiers from across the brigade to build unit cohesion.
For Khosho his experience in Lightning Focus 24, and in life, was akin to an Iraqi proverb.
“Calmly walk for a month rather than crossing a river,” said Khosho. “It's wiser to be patient and careful when pursuing your goals, rather than rushing into something risky. Take your time and plan carefully, even if it means it'll take longer and require more effort.”
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