Intelligence Issues for Congress
The Role of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence
The position of Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence (USD(I))
was established by the
Defense Authorization Act for FY2003 (P.L. 107-314, sec. 901). The
statute and DOD directives
give the incumbent significant authorities for the direction and
control of intelligence agencies
within DOD especially in regard to systems acquisition. There are
reports that DOD special
forces have also been involved in human intelligence collection
efforts that are not effectively
coordinated with CIA. Some media commentators have pointed to
potential conflicts between the
office of the USD(I) and the DNI’s office, but there is little
official information available publicly.
The first USD(I), Stephen Cambone, resigned at the end of 2006; his
successor is retired Air
Force Lt. General James Clapper who previously served as director of
both NGA and DIA. In
May 2007 the USD(I) was also designated Director of Defense
Intelligence and will also serve on
the DNI’s executive committee.
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