NEWS

Graduating 4,000 from Analysis 101

By DIA Public Affairs

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence's (ODNI's) Analysis 101 program reached a milestone with the graduation of its 4,000th student Dec. 16. The course, for which DIA is the executive agent, provides an introduction to analytical techniques and a basic foundation for new intelligence analysts across the intelligence community (IC).

ODNI Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Intelligence Integration Robert Cardillo attended the ceremony and presented a special certificate to the symbolic 4,000th graduate.

"What you are about to do is critically important, and it's not always easy to see that. You need to continually challenge yourself," Cardillo said to the graduating dass. He encouraged students to build on this foundation and be true to their tradecraft of analysis - constantly asking why, and for whom, they are writing their product. He also promoted the value in being comfortable enough to seek different perspectives.

Created in response to 9/11, Analysis 101 is the IC's entry-level course that ensures analytical tradecraft consistency across the IC. The two-week program enhances the ability of each analyst to think critically when examining intelligence information and underscores the importance of jointness while working as a member of the IC.

By working closely with peers from other agencies, new analysts acquire an interagency mindset regarding the Intelligence enterprise. To date, the program has trained analysts from 40 different intelligence agencies and organizations, and each class has representatives from roughly seven to 18 organizations.

For employees at DIA Analysis 101 is followed by a four-week Fundamentals of Intelligence Analysis course that reinforces tne lessons of critical thinking; goes into greater depth on structured analytical techniques; and focuses on DIA systems, writing and briefing techniques. Thereafter, new analysts can go on to specialty training in fields such as counterterrorism, counternarcotics or counterintelligence.

The course continues to have outstanding IC support, and each iteration operates near full capacity. During its three-year existence, course attendees have included analysts from DIA, CIA, Department of Energy, Department of Homeland Security, FBI, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency and Offce of Naval Intelligence, among others. Overall, the program is changing the way IC analysts begin their careers and learn the value of collaboration.

Cardillo left the graduating class with one final piece of advice: "Don't 1ose your class roster. It's a network you'll use the rest of your career."

DIA is the nation’s premier all-source military intelligence organization.

It provides the nation’s most authoritative assessments of foreign military intentions and capabilities. The agency’s four core competencies -- human intelligence, all-source analysis, counterintelligence and technical intelligence -- enable military operations while also informing policy-makers at the defense and national levels.

DIA’s mission is unique and no other agency matches its military expertise across such a broad range of intelligence disciplines.