The DCI and his Principal Deputies

The DCI and his Principal Deputies, header

Director of Central Intelligence (DCI)

The DCI is the primary adviser to the President and the National Security Council on national foreign intelligence matters. He is the head of the Central Intelligence Agency and of such other staff elements as are required for the discharge of his Intelligence Community responsibilities.

Executive Order 12333, issued by President Reagan on 4 December 1981, gives the DCI authority to develop and implement the National Foreign Intelligence Program and to coordinate the tasking of all Intelligence Community collection elements.

In addition to staff elements of the Office of the DCI, the Intelligence Community consists of the Central Intelligence Agency; the National Security Agency; the Defense Intelligence Agency; the National Reconnaissance Office; the National Imagery and Mapping Agency; the Bureau of Intelligence and Research of the Department of State; and the intelligence elements of the military services, the FBI, and the Departments of Treasury and Energy. The Director of Central Intelligence has four major Community responsibilities: to serve as the senior intelligence officer of the government; to establish requirements and priorities for Community efforts; to develop and justify the National Foreign Intelligence Program (NFIP); and to protect sources and methods. Collateral responsibilities can be inferred, including planning, evaluation, and coordination.

The DCI also serves as Chairman of the NSC's Senior Interagency Group when it meets to consider intelligence matters. This committee addresses issues requiring interagency attention, deals with interdepartmental matters, and monitors the execution of approved intelligence policies and decisions.


Deputy Director of Central Intelligence (DDCI)

The DDCI is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The DDCI assists the Director by performing such functions as the DCI assigns or delegates. He acts for and exercises the powers of the Director in his absence or disability or in the event of a vacancy in the position of the Director.


Deputy Director of Central Intelligence Community Management (DDCI/CM)

The DDCI/CM, whose position was established in 1997, is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The incumbent exercises the DCI's responsibilities in planning and developing the intelligence budget, managing requirements and collection, and overseeing analysis, production, and acquisition. The DDCI/CM is assisted by the Assistant DCI (ADCI) for Administration, the ADCI for Collection, the ADCI for Analysis and Production, and a Senior Acquisition Executive. The Executive Director for Intelligence Community Affairs reports to the DDCI/CM and directs the Community Management Staff. CMS is responsible for developing the National Foreign Intelligence Program, establishing requirements for collection and production and their priorities, conducting audits and evaluations as necessary, ensuring the protection of sensitive intelligence sources and methods, and other concerns of common interest.


Executive Director (EXDIR)

The DCI appoints the EXDIR, who is the Agency's Chief Operating Officer. The EXDIR manages the CIA on a daily basis, formulating and implementing policies and programs that affect the corporate interests of the Agency and its personnel on behalf of the DCI with input from the four Deputy Directors. Functions within the EXDIR's jurisdiction include budget and resources, strategic planning, senior personnel assignments, and issues that affect the operations of the entire Agency. When the DCI or DDCI represent the Intelligence Community before Congress or in Community fora, the EXDIR represents the Agency.


Associate Director of Central Intelligence for Military Support (ADCI/MS)

The Associate Director of Central Intelligence for Military Support (ADCI/MS), whose position was established in 1995, is the DCI's principal adviser and representative on military issues. The ADCI/MS coordinates Intelligence Community efforts to provide Joint Force commanders with timely, accurate intelligence. The ADCI/MS also supports Department of Defense officials who oversee military intelligence training and the acquisition of intelligence systems and technology. A senior general officer, the ADCI/MS ensures coordination of Intelligence Community policies, plans, and requirements relating to support to military forces in the intelligence budget.


Chairman, National Intelligence Council

The National Intelligence Council, managed by a Chairman, a Vice Chairman, and a Director for Evaluations, is comprised of National Intelligence Officers--senior experts drawn from all elements of the Community and from outside the Government. The National Intelligence Officers concentrate on the substantive problems of particular geographic regions of the world and of particular functional areas such as economics and weapons proliferation. They serve the DCI in his role as leader of the Intelligence Community by producing National Intelligence Estimates. These officers work closely with policymakers and serve as personal staff officers and senior advisers to the DCI in their respective areas of functional or regional responsibility.


Deputy Director for Administration (DDA)

The DDA is the senior manager of the businesses that provide administrative support to the Agency and to the full range of Intelligence Community components. In a competitive, customer-focused environment, the Directorate of Administration offers support services that include information technology, communication, logistics, training, financial management, medical services, human resources, and the protection of Agency personnel and facilities worldwide.


Deputy Director for Intelligence (DDI)

The DDI manages the production and dissemination of all-source intelligence analysis on key foreign problems. The DDI is responsible for the timeliness, accuracy, and relevance of intelligence analysis to the concerns of national security policymakers and other intelligence consumers.


Deputy Director for Operations (DDO)

The DDO has primary responsibility for the clandestine collection of foreign intelligence, including human source intelligence (HUMINT). Domestically, the DDO is responsible for the overt collection of foreign intelligence volunteered by individuals and organizations in the United States.


Deputy Director for Science and Technology (DDS&T)

Deputy Director for Science and Technology (DDS&T) The DDS&T is responsible for applying technology and technical expertise to the most critical intelligence problems. The DS&T engages in all phases of the intelligence process. It develops technologies and analytic tools to close gaps in access, processing, and exploitation of information. The DS&T expands the sense of what's possible, infusing collection operations with innovative technologies. It partners with the DI and other Agency all-source centers to exploit the revolution in information technology. The DDS&T ensures that the Directorate is ready to provide technical support to the DO whenever and wherever needed.


General Counsel

The General Counsel is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, a requirement added in the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997. The General Counsel serves as the legal adviser to the DCI and is responsible for the conduct of all the Agency's legal affairs. The Office of General Counsel provides legal interpretation of any statute, regulation, or Executive order relevant to the DCI.


Inspector General

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) promotes efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability in the administration of Agency activities. OIG also seeks to prevent and detect fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement. The Inspector General is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Inspector General, whose activities are independent of those of any other component in the Agency, is subordinate only to the DDCI and the DCI and reports directly to the latter. OIG conducts inspections, investigations, and audits at Headquarters and in the field, and oversees the Agency-wide grievance-handling system. The OIG provides a semiannual report to the DCI which the DCI is required to submit to the Intelligence Committees of the Congress within 30 days.