DIA is first in all-source defense intelligence to prevent
strategic surprise and deliver a decision advantage to
warfighters, defense planners, and policymakers. We deploy
globally alongside warfighters and interagency partners to
defend America's national security interests. Learn more about
DIA » 2012-2017 Strategic Plan» CONNECT WITH DIA In l96l,
Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara made his decision to
proceed with the concept of a central Defense intelligence
organization to correct longstanding maladies in military
intelligence. Moreover, the need existed for a central Defense
organization that could satisfy effectively the foreign military
and military-related intelligence requirements of the Secretary
of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Unified and Specified
Commands, other Defense components and, as appropriate, non-
Defense agencies. Two themes stood out prior to the
establishment of DIA--the lack of management efficiency and the
often poor quality of the products. They had been foremost o