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 a very important part of the United States government. It is the main group that collects and manages information about foreign militaries for the U.S. This information is called military intelligence. The DIA helps the President, the Secretary of Defense, and other top U.S. leaders make important decisions about national defense.
The DIA is part of the Department of Defense. It helps support the military. Most of its 16,500 employees are civilians, not soldiers. The agency's work goes beyond just war zones. It helps with national planning for the U.S. all around the world.
The DIA has its own special team called the Defense Clandestine Service. This team gathers information secretly in other countries. They often work in places where the military has better access or more specialized experts than the Central Intelligence Agency. The DIA also leads the way in collecting and understanding special types of intelligence, like signals and measurements.
Contents
About the Defense Intelligence Agency
The Defense Intelligence Agency was started in 1961. This happened under President John F. Kennedy. Defense Secretary Robert McNamara helped create it.
Who Leads the DIA?
The person in charge of the DIA is called the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. The President chooses this person. Then, the Senate must agree to the choice. The Director also leads the Military Intelligence Board. This board helps coordinate all the different parts of the defense intelligence community.
What Does the DIA Do?
The DIA's main job is to provide military intelligence. This means they collect and analyze information about other countries' armed forces. They help leaders understand threats and make smart choices. They also help keep U.S. soldiers safe.
Collecting Information
The DIA uses many ways to gather information. This includes using satellites, listening to communications, and having people on the ground. They look at things like military equipment, training, and plans. This helps them understand what other countries are doing.
Analyzing Information
Once information is collected, experts at the DIA study it carefully. They put all the pieces together to create a clear picture. This helps U.S. leaders understand situations and make informed decisions.
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
