A History of the Defense Intelligence Agency - Cryptocomb

1960s
Challenge and Reorganization: the Rise of DIA
Credit: DIA History Office Collection
Credit: DIA History Office Collection
Following the establishment of DIA, the Services
transferred intelligence functions and resources to
the Agency on a time-phased basis to avoid any degradation
in the effectiveness of defense intelligence
activities. Even during the Cuban Missile Crisis in
October 1962, Agency organizational efforts continued.
In late 1962, DIA established the Defense Intelligence
School and in early 1963, activated a new
Production Center at Arlington Hall Station, Virginia.
The Agency also added an Automated Data
Processing (ADP) Center, a Dissemination Center,
and a Scientific and Technical Intelligence Directorate,
and soon assumed staff support functions of
the J-2, Joint Staff. Two years later, DIA accepted
responsibility for the Defense Attaché System, the
last function transferred by the Services to DIA.
The Agency’s early years were trying ones. The
Armed Services resisted DIA’s attempts to establish
itself as DoD’s central military intelligence
organization. The Cuban Missile Crisis, in which
DIA analysts played a paramount role, presented
the Agency with its first challenge before it had the
chance to firmly establish itself. The Vietnam War
also severely tested the fledgling Agency’s ability to
produce accurate, timely intelligence over a protracted
conflict. Other less direct, but no less for-
20 Defense Intelligence Agency