Vernon A. Walters: Pathfinder of the Intelligence Profession
Abstract
OPENING ADDRESS: Vice Admiral Lowell E. Jacoby, U.S. Navy Director, Defense Intelligence Agency. It gives me great pleasure to welcome this assemblage of scholars and practitioners to today's study of the remarkable career and enduring legacy of Lieutenant General Vernon A. "Dick" Walters -- one of the most important, towering figures in the entire history of U.S. intelligence. My sincere thanks to Mr. Adams and the Walters family on behalf of the entire Defense Intelligence Agency for your gift of the General's documents, photographs and historic artifacts. They contribute uniquely to education and research at the Joint Military Intelligence College. They set an example and a standard of excellence for the men and women meeting the intelligence challenges of the 21st century. One of my most important responsibilities and privileges as DIA Director is to oversee the manning, the operations, and the value-added of the Department of Defense's Defense Attache System. General Dick Walters is a member of the Attache Hall of Fame. Today, we have more than 1,000 attaches -- Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard-serving at 135 overseas locations, accredited to 182 nations. Our attaches represent the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Combatant Commanders, the Service Secretaries and Chiefs, and the Defense Intelligence Agency. As accredited attaches, they become expert on their host countries, studying and reporting on: (1) political/military intentions, (2) current developments, (3) important personalities, and (4) the operational status and capabilities of the host nation's armed services. They serve as the U.S. Ambassador's military officer and planning assistant, as the Ambassador's advisor on U.S. and allied forces, and on the forces of the host nation and its military establishment. The Defense Attache System is a critical component of U.S. military intelligence and the broader defense establishment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 03, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA511754
Entities
People
- Russell Swenson
Organizations
- National Intelligence University