Vice President Mike Pence visited the Defense Intelligence Agency Headquarters at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Nov. 6, to receive classified intelligence briefings and meet with DIA officers.
DIA Director Army Lt. Gen. Robert Ashley hosted the visit, and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats accompanied the vice president.
“DIA officers play a crucial role in our intelligence apparatus,” Pence said in a statement. “We are grateful for their work and sacrifice.”
The vice president received classified all-source intelligence briefings on foreign military capabilities from a diverse array of subject matter experts that included specialists in human intelligence (HUMINT), satellite and imagery collection, space/counterspace operations, and clandestine operations. He also met with students in several of the agency’s training programs, including analytic tradecraft training and a course focused on the agency’s Defense Attaché program.
DIA is one of only three national-level intelligence agencies capable of all-source analysis production.
“As analysts, your job is not to advocate, but to present facts,” Pence told a class of new analysts who were studying enemy air defense systems. “You are part of an elite group at DIA.” He added that the analysts at DIA “play a vital role in the defense of the nation.”
Highlighted during his visit was DIA's Defense Attaché program, which trains military officers and their spouses to serve as defense department representatives at U.S. embassies worldwide. Spouses who attend the class on a voluntary basis learn skills that prepare them for life overseas. Spouses sit side-by-side with their military member and study diplomatic protocol, cultural communication, foreign language skills, and other topics important to representing the U.S. in a foreign setting.
DIA’s Defense Attachés are located in more than 140 countries around the world.
Pence said the attaché program is an integral part of DIA’s mission and this kind of service to the nation “is a calling, particularly as a family.”
“You are diplomats representing the United States in faraway places at a very critical time,” he said. “Thank you for your service and the service of your family.”
Throughout the briefings and visit, Pence repeatedly relayed thanks to the DIA officers on behalf of himself, his family and the president.
“Thank you for stepping up to serve your country,” he said.
The vice president’s visit to DIA is one in a series of recent visits to key intelligence agencies.
DIA's mission is to provide intelligence on foreign militaries and operating environments that delivers decision advantage to prevent and decisively win wars. Nearly 50 percent of DIA's 16,500 employees are stationed outside Washington, D.C., at national intelligence centers, combatant commands, combat zones, and defense attaché offices worldwide.