United States Department of Defense - Defense Intelligence Agency

Formed - 1 October 1961
Employees - Approx. 12,000 (30% military, and 70% civilian)
Annual Budget - Classified
Agency Executive - Lieutenant General Michael D. Maples, USA, Director


The Defense Intelligence Agency, or DIA, is a major producer and manager of military intelligence for the United States Department of Defense. DIA, designated in 1986 as a Defense Department combat support agency, was established in 1961 as a result of a decision by Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, under president John F. Kennedy . The Department of Defense created DIA with the publication of Directive 5105.21, "Defense Intelligence Agency" on 1 August, effective 1 October 1961.[1] DIA was preceded by the Counter Intelligence Corps. With over 11,000 military and civilian employees worldwide, DIA is a major producer and manager of foreign military intelligence. It provides military intelligence to warfighters, defense policymakers and force planners, in the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community, in support of U.S. military planning and operations and weapon systems acquisition.

DIA’s Director is a three-star military officer who serves as principal adviser to the Secretary of Defense and to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on matters of military intelligence. The Director also chairs the Military Intelligence Board, which coordinates activities of the defense intelligence community.The exact numbers and specific budget information are not publicly released due to security considerations. DIA has major operational activities at the Pentagon, the Defense Intelligence Analysis Center (DIAC), Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C. [show location on an interactive map] 38°50′53″N 77°00′43″W / 38.848, -77.012, the Armed Forces Medical Intelligence Center (AFMIC) in Fort Detrick, Maryland, and the Missile and Space Intelligence Center (MSIC) in Huntsville, Alabama. DIA is a member of the United States Intelligence Community, reporting to the Director of National Intelligence.

DIA possesses a diverse workforce skilled in the areas of military history and doctrine, economics, physics, chemistry, world history, political science, bio-sciences, computer sciences, and many other fields of expertise.

The Agency responds to the needs of a variety of customers from the President of the United States to the soldier in the field. Its work encompasses all aspects of military intelligence requirements – from highly complex missile trajectory data to biographical information on foreign military leaders.

Mission

DIA's mission is to provide timely and objective military intelligence to warfighters, policymakers, and force planners. It is considered to be a member of the Intelligence Community. The director of DIA is the main adviser to the United States Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on matters related to military intelligence. Under the support of the Military Intelligence Board, DIA unifies the Defense Intelligence Community on major issues such as the number of deployed forces, assessments, policy, and resources. To help weapon systems planners and the Defense community, DIA plays a major role in providing intelligence on foreign weapon systems.

Vision

Integration of highly skilled intelligence professionals with leading edge technology to discover information and create knowledge that provides warning, identifies opportunities, and delivers overwhelming advantage to the nation’s warfighters, defense planners, and defense and national security policymakers.

DIA Seal

The dark blue background of the seal signifies the unknown, or the threats and challenges of the world around us. The flaming gold torch lights the way to a known world symbolized by blue-green planet. The eternal search for knowledge and truth is the worldwide mission of DIA. The two red ellipses symbolize the technical aspects of intelligence today and in the future. The 13 stars and the wreath identify DIA as a Department of Defense organization.