1 00:00:01,728 --> 00:00:04,478 (dramatic music) 2 00:00:13,700 --> 00:00:15,050 - Welcome to Beyond the Beltway, 3 00:00:15,050 --> 00:00:16,610 where we take a behind-the-scenes look 4 00:00:16,610 --> 00:00:18,560 at DIA's outreach to our community, 5 00:00:18,560 --> 00:00:20,226 our country, and the world. 6 00:00:20,226 --> 00:00:24,476 (traditional Middle Eastern music) 7 00:00:29,080 --> 00:00:31,750 Here at DIA, we're charged with providing intelligence 8 00:00:31,750 --> 00:00:34,010 on foreign militaries and operating environments 9 00:00:34,010 --> 00:00:36,113 to prevent and decisively win wars. 10 00:00:37,320 --> 00:00:38,560 The Beyond the Beltway series 11 00:00:38,560 --> 00:00:40,710 explores how our presence outside Washington 12 00:00:40,710 --> 00:00:42,550 enables us to play this crucial role 13 00:00:42,550 --> 00:00:44,270 in our national security. 14 00:00:44,270 --> 00:00:47,430 The DIA Forward Element Afghanistan, or DFEA, 15 00:00:47,430 --> 00:00:50,640 is the agency's deployed presence in Afghanistan. 16 00:00:50,640 --> 00:00:52,240 In this episode of Beyond the Beltway, 17 00:00:52,240 --> 00:00:53,713 we'll visit DIA elements in 18 00:00:53,713 --> 00:00:56,870 Bagram, Kabul, and Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan, 19 00:00:56,870 --> 00:00:58,740 supporting Operation Resolute Support, 20 00:00:58,740 --> 00:01:00,522 and Operation Freedom's Sentinel. 21 00:01:00,522 --> 00:01:03,356 (traditional Middle Eastern music) 22 00:01:03,356 --> 00:01:04,460 - Well first and foremost, 23 00:01:04,460 --> 00:01:06,840 our job is to provide direct support 24 00:01:06,840 --> 00:01:09,130 to the commander of Resolute Support, 25 00:01:09,130 --> 00:01:11,920 so our role here is to protect the homeland, 26 00:01:11,920 --> 00:01:14,890 and at the time we are now, it's a very interesting time, 27 00:01:14,890 --> 00:01:17,210 'cause our job is also to create the conditions 28 00:01:17,210 --> 00:01:19,340 for negotiated peace settlement, 29 00:01:19,340 --> 00:01:21,970 so those are two well-defined roles, 30 00:01:21,970 --> 00:01:25,120 and using all the core functions of DIA, 31 00:01:25,120 --> 00:01:28,170 we have an opportunity to make a very measurable impact, 32 00:01:28,170 --> 00:01:31,280 directly supporting the warfighter here in-theater, 33 00:01:31,280 --> 00:01:32,431 and that's a little bit different 34 00:01:32,431 --> 00:01:36,260 than some of us get to do back at DIA headquarters. 35 00:01:36,260 --> 00:01:38,920 - [Narrator] Deployed DIA officers support operations 36 00:01:38,920 --> 00:01:42,200 through analysis, technical collection and exploitation, 37 00:01:42,200 --> 00:01:44,640 information systems, counter intelligence, 38 00:01:44,640 --> 00:01:48,070 logistics support, and human intelligence collection. 39 00:01:48,070 --> 00:01:49,320 - Working in a deployed environment 40 00:01:49,320 --> 00:01:51,670 is high-stress, high-demands. 41 00:01:51,670 --> 00:01:54,300 You really challenge yourself in terms of what you know, 42 00:01:54,300 --> 00:01:56,010 and what you think you're capable of, 43 00:01:56,010 --> 00:01:58,390 but you really find out what you can push yourself to do 44 00:01:58,390 --> 00:01:59,950 and what you can push yourself to learn 45 00:01:59,950 --> 00:02:01,150 in a short amount of time, 46 00:02:01,150 --> 00:02:04,200 and I think that makes you feel stronger as an analyst, 47 00:02:04,200 --> 00:02:06,757 and more excited, and willing to take on bigger risks. 48 00:02:06,757 --> 00:02:08,340 - [Undisclosed Personnel] I think it's a once-in-a-lifetime 49 00:02:08,340 --> 00:02:10,960 opportunity to support mission, 50 00:02:10,960 --> 00:02:13,550 and to be able to contribute your skillset. 51 00:02:13,550 --> 00:02:15,100 And one of the things that's fulfilling about it 52 00:02:15,100 --> 00:02:18,150 is the immediate time-sensitive ramification of intelligence 53 00:02:18,150 --> 00:02:19,160 that we collect, 54 00:02:19,160 --> 00:02:23,080 and then have immediate operations develop 55 00:02:23,080 --> 00:02:24,460 as a result of that. 56 00:02:24,460 --> 00:02:26,940 I think that is very satisfying. 57 00:02:26,940 --> 00:02:28,800 - [Narrator] Mission support officers provide the 58 00:02:28,800 --> 00:02:31,570 full spectrum of logistic support during deployments, 59 00:02:31,570 --> 00:02:34,270 from shipping of necessary equipment and gear issuance, 60 00:02:34,270 --> 00:02:36,250 to travel and facilities management. 61 00:02:36,250 --> 00:02:38,150 - Logistical support is key, 62 00:02:38,150 --> 00:02:41,960 because we're basically the hub here in Bagram 63 00:02:41,960 --> 00:02:46,670 for anyone coming in or going out to their assigned mission. 64 00:02:46,670 --> 00:02:49,420 We're key to ensuring that 65 00:02:49,420 --> 00:02:51,650 everything flows as it's supposed to. 66 00:02:51,650 --> 00:02:53,620 - But, every year need is out here, 67 00:02:53,620 --> 00:02:56,000 logistically we will provide that for you. 68 00:02:56,000 --> 00:02:58,270 When it's time to leave, we gather all those 69 00:02:58,270 --> 00:03:01,150 things up, ship it to where it needs to go to, 70 00:03:01,150 --> 00:03:02,300 turn it in, get rid of it, 71 00:03:02,300 --> 00:03:04,100 if it needs to be disposed of, 72 00:03:04,100 --> 00:03:05,510 and we clear the area. 73 00:03:05,510 --> 00:03:07,430 - You are here at the tip of the spear, 74 00:03:07,430 --> 00:03:08,930 you get to see the mission. 75 00:03:08,930 --> 00:03:12,210 In my role here as the J1 Chief, I'm the advisor 76 00:03:12,210 --> 00:03:14,510 to our colleagues and our employees, 77 00:03:14,510 --> 00:03:16,330 whether they're civilian or military, 78 00:03:16,330 --> 00:03:19,030 from customer service, payroll issues, 79 00:03:19,030 --> 00:03:22,290 family matters, emergency leave, things of that nature. 80 00:03:22,290 --> 00:03:24,550 One of the additional things that we do here, 81 00:03:24,550 --> 00:03:28,400 in the J1, is we continue to ensure that 82 00:03:28,400 --> 00:03:31,560 officers continue to grow professionally 83 00:03:31,560 --> 00:03:32,680 within their careers. 84 00:03:32,680 --> 00:03:35,510 So, thinking about just because you're being deployed 85 00:03:35,510 --> 00:03:37,320 doesn't mean that you put your career on hold. 86 00:03:37,320 --> 00:03:39,030 This is a stepping stone 87 00:03:39,030 --> 00:03:41,380 to be able to move forward in your career 88 00:03:41,380 --> 00:03:45,480 and have a larger aspect of what the agency does, 89 00:03:45,480 --> 00:03:47,340 not only just back there at DC, 90 00:03:47,340 --> 00:03:51,050 or wherever your location might be, but globally. 91 00:03:51,050 --> 00:03:53,200 - [Narrator] Deployments can be fulfilling experiences 92 00:03:53,200 --> 00:03:56,040 that challenge and develop DIA officers. 93 00:03:56,040 --> 00:03:58,390 All agency personnel are encouraged to deploy 94 00:03:58,390 --> 00:04:01,190 to gain a better understanding of DIA's direct support 95 00:04:01,190 --> 00:04:02,294 to the warfighter. 96 00:04:02,294 --> 00:04:03,740 - [Undisclosed Personnel] The best thing about 97 00:04:03,740 --> 00:04:04,840 being deployed here 98 00:04:04,840 --> 00:04:07,900 is the ability to exercise my training 99 00:04:07,900 --> 00:04:12,900 and work with the broad limits that I generally have. 100 00:04:13,560 --> 00:04:17,000 There's potentially a misconception of deployed life, 101 00:04:17,000 --> 00:04:19,420 where you are living in tents 102 00:04:19,420 --> 00:04:24,380 and you shower once a week and it's rough living. 103 00:04:24,380 --> 00:04:27,550 DIA actually takes care of deployed personnel. 104 00:04:27,550 --> 00:04:31,430 The accommodations here are absolutely phenomenal, 105 00:04:31,430 --> 00:04:33,340 and we're actually well taken care of 106 00:04:33,340 --> 00:04:38,340 as far as living, sleeping, eating, and working out. 107 00:04:38,970 --> 00:04:40,930 We have all of the necessary things 108 00:04:40,930 --> 00:04:43,670 to do all of those things with comfort. 109 00:04:43,670 --> 00:04:47,500 I'm missing my family, and so I have an 18-month old 110 00:04:47,500 --> 00:04:50,863 who's hitting growth milestones that I miss, 111 00:04:51,740 --> 00:04:55,550 but they understand, and it's sacrifice, 112 00:04:55,550 --> 00:04:57,480 but a worthwhile one. 113 00:04:57,480 --> 00:04:59,650 - I decided that I wanted to deploy 114 00:04:59,650 --> 00:05:01,960 as part of the reason why I wanted to work for DIA, 115 00:05:01,960 --> 00:05:04,893 so, being that that was part of the mission set, 116 00:05:06,467 --> 00:05:08,370 it was intriguing to me. 117 00:05:08,370 --> 00:05:12,620 The Afghanistan War was part of my growing up experience, 118 00:05:12,620 --> 00:05:14,440 so I really wanted to see what it was like out here, 119 00:05:14,440 --> 00:05:17,360 and then to see how DIA supported the warfighter 120 00:05:17,360 --> 00:05:19,430 on this kind of level, as opposed to back home 121 00:05:19,430 --> 00:05:23,820 where we have more of a central role for policy makers. 122 00:05:23,820 --> 00:05:25,250 So, that kind of pushed me, 123 00:05:25,250 --> 00:05:27,090 and then my team was very supportive back home. 124 00:05:27,090 --> 00:05:29,380 - I would encourage any DIA officer 125 00:05:29,380 --> 00:05:31,300 to accept the challenge of a deployment, 126 00:05:31,300 --> 00:05:35,060 but I'd particularly encourage junior officers to do that. 127 00:05:35,060 --> 00:05:37,390 This is an opportunity to gain a tremendous amount 128 00:05:37,390 --> 00:05:39,480 of experience in a short time. 129 00:05:39,480 --> 00:05:42,290 The operational tempo here is very high 130 00:05:42,290 --> 00:05:44,720 and the mission is very well-defined. 131 00:05:44,720 --> 00:05:46,210 It's an opportunity to grow. 132 00:05:46,210 --> 00:05:48,190 It's an opportunity to see good leaders. 133 00:05:48,190 --> 00:05:52,480 It's an opportunity to see how our efforts 134 00:05:52,480 --> 00:05:54,540 and how our core functions can make a difference 135 00:05:54,540 --> 00:05:56,080 to the warfighter, 136 00:05:56,080 --> 00:05:59,370 and I would encourage all of us to understand that 137 00:05:59,370 --> 00:06:02,700 a key trait that's required is self-sacrifice. 138 00:06:02,700 --> 00:06:06,130 When we're out here, we need to sacrifice for the mission, 139 00:06:06,130 --> 00:06:08,140 and put the mission above all else. 140 00:06:08,140 --> 00:06:09,870 So, it's a great opportunity to learn 141 00:06:09,870 --> 00:06:12,580 some of those ethos of the military. 142 00:06:12,580 --> 00:06:14,770 - Special thanks to the men and women of the DIA 143 00:06:14,770 --> 00:06:16,480 Forward Element Afghanistan, 144 00:06:16,480 --> 00:06:18,420 and to all those DIA officers who have deployed 145 00:06:18,420 --> 00:06:20,550 in support of the agency global mission. 146 00:06:20,550 --> 00:06:22,850 Be sure to join us for the next episode of DIA's 147 00:06:22,850 --> 00:06:23,800 Beyond the Beltway. 148 00:06:24,821 --> 00:06:27,571 (dramatic music)