DIA focus of recent brown-bag lunch lecture

The sixth lecture in the InterAgency Brown-Bag Lecture Series was conducted from 12:30-1:30 p.m., March 15, in the Arnold Conference Room of the Lewis and Clark Center on Fort Leavenworth.

This lecture featured Mr. Gustav A. Otto, the Defense Intelligence Chair and Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Representative to the Combined Arms Center and Army University. Mr. Otto led a discussion and provided insight into the DIA, which is one of our nation’s least understood intelligence organizations. The DIA is the nation’s premier all-source military intelligence organization, providing authoritative assessments of foreign military intentions and capabilities.

Otto discussed the training and education of DIA personnel and DIA’s relationship with the intelligence community and other U.S. government entities. During the question/answer period, audience members asked about the intelligence community’s relationship with the current administration, a hot topic of late. Otto responded, as would be expected, that DIA simply focuses on the mission and maintains a level of professionalism that rises above any political issue. Audience members also asked about the intelligence community’s focus on counterterrorism instead of, and possibly to the detriment of, cybersecurity and other national security issues. Otto replied that it was probable, but made it clear that was his own opinion, not an official DIA position.

The next lecture in the series is scheduled for April 6, from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. in the Arnold Conference Room. Mr. Patrick J. Wesner, the Command and General Staff College Distinguished Chair for Development Studies, will lead a discussion and provide information about the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Click here for more information on Mr. Wesner’s presentation.

Visit the CGSC Foundation Flickr site for more photos from the lecture.