Lt Gen James Clapper Jr., USAF
November 1991 - August 1995
Lt. Gen. James Clapper came to DIA in the aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union and Operation DESERT STORM — leading to the most fundamental reexamination of U.S. national security policy since the 1940s.
In November 1991, the Agency created the National Military Joint Intelligence Center, replacing the National Military Intelligence Center and retaining many of the positive attributes of the wartime Department of Defense Joint Intelligence Center. DIA also significantly expanded its support to the Joint Staff. The Gulf War experience prompted DIA to improve on its National Military Intelligence Support Team concept by adding CIA and NSA members to the DIA element and re-designating them National Intelligence Support Teams.
"Clapper restructured DIA to improve flexibility and cooperation with military intelligence organizations. He also reduced management overhead and returned to focusing on the missions of military intelligence and working within the common functional areas of collection, production and infrastructure. This achieved unprecedented integration of effort among DIA, the Military Services and the combatant commands."
This climate of systemic change also compelled a review of DIA roles and organization to meet the challenges of a new era of regional conflict and, at the same time, a dramatic reduction in resources. Clapper restructured DIA to improve flexibility and cooperation with military intelligence organizations. He also reduced management overhead and returned to focusing on the missions of military intelligence and working within the common functional areas of collection, production and infrastructure. This achieved unprecedented integration of effort among DIA, the Military Services, and the combatant commands.
The Armed Forces Medical Intelligence Center, and the Missile and Space Intelligence Center, associated with the Army for decades, became elements of DIA in January 1992. This was part of the continuing effort to consolidate efficient intelligence production.
During Clapper's time as director, DIA provided intelligence support to U.S. and United Nations forces in Somalia, Haiti and the former Yugoslavia, as well as for operations in Iraq and Korea. In 1994, DIA received a third Joint Meritorious Unit Award for support to these operations.