Lt. Gen. James Adams address the Defense Intelligence Agency and his distinguished guests for the first time as DIA's 25th director at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., Feb. 20, 2026. (DIA photo by Sgt. Jay Greening.)
JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING — The Defense Intelligence Agency hosted an Assumption of Directorship ceremony Friday, Feb. 20, for Lt. Gen. James H. Adams, U.S. Marine Corps, who assumed duties as the 25th director of DIA.
Adams is a leader with extensive operational and tactical experience, including in combat as a naval aviator piloting AH-1 helicopters in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a general officer, he achieved acclaim in management, financing and resourcing roles. In his last role as deputy commandant for programs and resources at Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Adams led the Marine Corps to pass three consecutive clean audits.
The Under Secretary of War for Intelligence and Security, the Honorable Bradley Hansell, presided over the ceremony. He said DIA is getting a proven leader with an exceptional record.
“He has brought success to every assignment he’s been in, and I expect this one to be no different,” Hansell said. “He led the Marine Corps to yet another historic first … as they became the first service to pass a clean financial audit setting a standard for accountability within the Department, and he did so not once but three times.”
In his first address as DIA director, Adams said intelligence creates a decisive advantage in the current security environment.
“With this advantage, the nation deters adversaries in the face of crisis to preserve peace,” he said. “Intelligence is warfighting … enabling commanders to act first, policymakers to decide with clarity, and our nation to deter through strength.”
Adams said leadership involves fostering alignment — making sure goals are clearly defined, priorities are well-grasped and performance remains disciplined. "Throughout my 35 years of service, I have learned a simple truth: Take care of our people and they take care of the mission.”
"No single organization secures the nation alone. Our strength lies in integration — across the Intelligence Community, across the Joint Force, and across our allies and partners worldwide. Different authorities. Different capabilities. One unified purpose: To prevent conflict where possible; to provide warning where necessary; and to ensure that, should deterrence fail, our nation prevails decisively."
The ceremony can be viewed
HERE.
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DIA’s mission is to provide intelligence on foreign militaries to prevent and decisively win wars.
DIA officers are united in a common vision — to be the indispensable source of defense intelligence expertise for the nation. For 64 years, DIA has met the full range of security challenges faced by the United States. DIA intelligence officers operate around the world, supporting customers from forward-deployed warfighters to national policymakers.