The DefenseIntelligence Agency (DIA) is a United States federal agency that serves as the
country's main foreign military espionage organization under the jurisdiction
of Department of Defense. As one of the principal member of the U.S.
Intelligence Community (IC), DIA informs national civilian and defense
policymakers about the military intentions and capabilities of foreign
governments and non-state actors, while also providing department-level
intelligence assistance and coordination to individual military service
intelligence components and the warfighter. The agency's role encompasses
collection and analysis of defense-related foreign political, economic,
industrial, geographic, and medical and health intelligence. As part of its
national IC responsibilities, DIA regularly provides input for the President's
Daily Brief. Although the DIA is designated a Department of Defense combat
support agency, two-thirds of its 17,000 employees are civilian and its
intelligence operations in support of U.S. national security extend far beyond
the zones of combat - at hundreds of locations in approximately 140 countries.
The agency primarily specializes in collection and analysis of human-source
intelligence (HUMINT), has its own Clandestine Service and is in charge of
American military-diplomatic efforts overseas. DIA is also designated a
national manager for the highly technical measurement and signature
intelligence (MASINT). The agency has no law enforcement authority, although it
is occasionally portrayed so in American popular culture.
Established in
1961 under President John F. Kennedy by Defense Secretary Robert McNamara, the
DIA has been at the forefront of U.S. intelligence efforts throughout the Cold
War and rapidly expanded, both in size and scope, since the September 11
attacks.
The above information provided in part by Wikipedia, The
Institute of Heraldry, Global Security, and the official websites of the
corresponding units and formations.
