Defense Intelligence Agency facts for kids
Seal of the DIA
|
|
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1 October 1961 |
| Motto | Committed to Excellence in Defense of the Nation |
| Employees | Approx. 12,000 (30% military, and 70% civilian) |
| Annual budget | Classified |
| Agency executive |
|
The Defense Intelligence Agency, or DIA, is the central producer and manager of foreign military intelligence for the United States. As one of the principal members of the U.S. Intelligence Community, the agency works to answer national-level defense objectives for the President, the Secretary of Defense, and senior U.S. policymakers.
Although the DIA is designated a Department of Defense combat support agency, the majority of its 16,500 employees (65%) are civilian and its intelligence operations in support of U.S. national strategic planning extend far beyond the zones of combat. The agency has its own Clandestine Service, which conducts espionage activities around the world, particularly in countries where the military has better access or more specialized military experts than the Central Intelligence Agency. Further, DIA leads the Intelligence Community in collection and production of measurement and signature intelligence.
The agency was established in 1961 under President John F. Kennedy by Defense Secretary Robert McNamara. The Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency - who is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate - chairs the Military Intelligence Board, which coordinates activities of the entire defense intelligence community.
Images for kids
-
Bird's eye view of DIA HQ from the Potomac in Washington, DC
-
Igor Sutyagin
-
Ana Montes
-
A U-2 reconnaissance plane discovered Soviet missiles in Cuba based on a flight path selected by DIA analysts
-
DIA sets intelligence requirements for numerous installations, such as T-AGM-23, which checks compliance with strategic arms treaties worldwide.
-
President Ronald Reagan unveiling the first copy of Soviet Military Power, one of DIA's serialized publications.
-
In the 1980s, DIA moved into the newly built Defense Intelligence Agency Headquarters (seen here in 1988), which now represents only one wing of the sprawling complex.
-
Defense Clandestine Service recruitment poster
-
DIA's memorial wall
-
Defense Intelligence Agency Badge
-
Defense Intelligence Agency Special Agent Badge
_Headquarters_from_Potomac,_Washington_DC.jpg)
_underway_near_Hawaii.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Agencia de Inteligencia de la Defensa para niños
