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Intel Pros – Join an Association

KNOWLEDGE
KNOWLEDGE

By James R. Lint
Faculty member at American Military University

Professionals should join associations to build professional development and have an outlet to ask questions you would not want to ask in the office or of your boss. Associations allow you to meet people at various levels of the profession and offer development opportunities that prepare you for greater responsibilities in your career.

Most associations are non-profit organizations, which are often run by few, or no, paid employees. Volunteers and members may gain leadership experience and improve networking opportunities while working with the association’s leadership. When selecting an association, be sure to review those opportunities, often keys to determining good and bad. Other activities can include:

  • Representing member interests to state and federal lawmakers
  • Discounts and insurance
  • Newsletter or magazine covering activities and professional development
  • Distribution of news related to the profession

[Related: Educational Opportunities in the Intelligence Field]

There are many associations for intelligence and national security, each of which has different qualifications or focus areas for members. Some offer student memberships and others may require dues based on rank or pay scale.

National Military Intelligence Association

The website states, “NMIA is a national association of intelligence professionals. NMIA seeks to stimulate awareness of the need for effective military intelligence as a critical component of national security. The Association also fosters activities and programs designed to enhance the theoretical and practical foundations of the intelligence discipline.”

This association is comprised of members throughout the intelligence community supporting all branches of military service. NMIA publishes the American Intelligence Journal and a newsletter. The association is probably best known for their ZGram, an electronic newsletter containing news, resources, products, symposia, employment, and business opportunities.

ASIS International (Formerly, the American Society of Industrial Security)

​The ASIS webpage notes, “ASIS International is the leading organization for security professionals, with more than 38,000 members worldwide. Founded in 1955, ASIS is dedicated to increasing the effectiveness and productivity of security professionals by developing educational programs and materials that address broad security interests, such as the ASIS Annual Seminar and Exhibits, as well as specific security topics. ASIS also advocates the role and value of the security management profession to business, the media, government entities, and the public.”

ASIS crosses both homeland security and commercial industrial security. They produce a magazine for security managers. They offer student, member, and retired membership categories. Members are advocating a change in the retired age of 67 because many military and civil service security management professionals retire before that age.

Military Intelligence Corps Association

The website notes, “MICA is the professional association of the U.S. Army’s military intelligence corps. MICA members represent the active duty, reserve component, and retired Army (military and civilian) as well as defense contractors and others who support the MI mission and are dedicated to ensuring that Army Intelligence remains ‘Always Out Front!’”

MICA is an Army-focused professional association that publishes the Vanguard Journal, which offers articles spanning the locations of the U.S. Army. MICA provides support to the Military Intelligence Museum, scholarships and mentoring activities. Chapters are strategically located across the globe. Recently MICA started an email distribution listserver and is exploring social media options.

MICA sponsors the premier award for Army military intelligence–the Knowlton Award. The award was established in 1995 and MICA provides financial resources, administrative control, and publicity.

Marine Corps Counterintelligence Association (MCCIA)

The website speaks to the history and eligibility stating, “MCCIA is an independent, non-profit organization established in 1987 by a few CI men with a vision. The primary purposes of the association are to foster fraternal relations among retired, active, and former members of Marine Corps Counterintelligence while providing useful services for members and their dependents and survivors.

Membership is open to Marines currently serving or having formerly honorably served in the active or reserve components of the United States Marine Corps; who have been awarded a counterintelligence Military Occupational Specialty by competent authority in accordance with Marine Corps directives in effect at the time of their service, and have honorably served as a Counterintelligence Marine.”

MICCA was the first DoD intelligence association to use a two-way email listserver to unite virtual associations with globe spanning membership. It was great tool to forge the fraternal link to both current and retired counterintelligence personnel. During the Global war on Terror, they were famous for their support to deployed counterintelligence personnel.

Army Counterintelligence Discussion Group (ACIDG)

One of the founders of ACIDG, Rick Eaton, stated, “The Army Counterintelligence Discussion Group mailing list is open to all active, reserve, former, and retired Army Counterintelligence Special Agents who held the Counterintelligence MOS to include …civilians who are graduates of the US Army CI Special Agent Course…The primary purpose of the list is to discuss CI trends, news, current events, and history and serve as a general professional forum for current, former, and retired Army CI Special Agents to hold virtual discussions in a professional forum.”

This is a no-cost professional development forum that originated in 1998. It has been a collaborative area to help new and retiring counterintelligence agents. It is often used to solve problems or find the history of regulations.

Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO)

The webpage states, “AFIO is more than a professional or fraternal organization. Its distinguishing mission is educational…to reach out to the public and explain what intelligence organizations do, and to build a nation-wide constituency for intelligence as a profession. In many ways, AFIO is the public face of the Intelligence Community.”

Most AFIO members are from the CIA but they also have a diverse population from other intelligence community members.

Operations Security Professionals Society (OPS)

The website notes, “The Operations Security Professionals Society (OPS), is a Maryland-based 501(c)6 whose purpose is to advance the interests of the United States and its allies by furthering the application of OPSEC as a professional discipline. Additionally, they serve as a means of educating and informing the American people with regard to the role of Operations Security in maintaining a strong national defense.”

OPS has newsletters and participates in the annual National OPSEC Conference hosted by the interagency OPSEC support staff. OPS established the OPSEC Certified Professional (OCP©) program to recognize individuals who meet the highest standards of the OPSEC profession.

Naval Intelligence Professionals (NIP)

“The website states, “The goal of the Naval Intelligence Professionals (NIP) is to further the knowledge of the art of maritime intelligence, and to provide a vehicle whereby present and former Naval Intelligence Professionals may be kept informed of developments in the Naval Intelligence community and of the activities and whereabouts of past shipmates.”

NIP has an excellent email list with timely and focused news pertaining to global intelligence. Many strategic watch standing analysts subscribe and discuss NIPMail contents. They have a job bank which is useful for transitioning sailors.

Summary

These are just a few of the many intelligence and national security professional organizations. Each individual must chart a path to career improvement. There’s a role for seasoned professionals, too, as association leaders and mentors.

About the Author: James Lint recently retired as the civilian director for intelligence and security, G2, U.S. Army Communications Electronics Command. He is an adjunct professor at AMU. Additionally, he started the Lint Center for National Security Studies, a nonprofit charity that recently awarded the 36th scholarship for national security students and professionals. He has 38 years of experience in military intelligence within the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army, contractor, and civil service. He was elected as the 2015 national vice president for the Military Intelligence Corps Association. He has served in the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis and at the Department of Energy S&S Security Office. He started his active military career in the Marine Corps for seven years and also served 14 years in the Army. His military assignments include South Korea, Germany, and Cuba in addition to numerous CONUS locations. He has authored a book published in 2013, Leadership and Management Lessons Learned.

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