Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume II, Organization and Management of U.S. Foreign Policy, 1969–1972

262. Department of Defense Directive 5115.1¹

Washington, January 18, 1972.

SUBJECT

• Assistant Secretary of Defense (Intelligence)

REFS

(a) DoD Directive 5100.30, “World-Wide Military Command and Control System (WWMCCS),” dated 2 December 1971²

(b) DoD Directive 5105.39, “Director of Net Assessment,” dated 6 December 1971

(c) DoD Directive 5000.19, “Policies for the Management and Control of DoD Information Requirements,” dated 2 June 1971

I. General

Pursuant to the authority vested in the Secretary of Defense under the provisions of Title 10, U.S.C., one of the authorized positions of Assistant Secretary of Defense is hereby designated Assistant Secretary of Defense (Intelligence) with responsibilities, functions, and authorities as prescribed herein.

II. Responsibilities

The Assistant Secretary of Defense (Intelligence) is the principal staff advisor and assistant to the Secretary of Defense for the management of intelligence resources, programs, and activities, including those for intelligence, warning, reconnaissance, and other related areas which may be designated by the Secretary of Defense. His responsibility specifically includes equipment, systems, and activities in the above areas which are organic to military forces or units. He is also responsible for staff supervision of the intelligence aspects of command and control, as provided for in Reference (a).

III. Functions

Under the direction, authority, and control of the Secretary of Defense, the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Intelligence) shall perform the following functions in his assigned field of responsibility.

A. Recommend objectives, priorities, plans, and planning guidance for intelligence resources.

B. Review proposed intelligence resource programs and recommend resource allocations to those programs.

C. Monitor approved intelligence resource programs and supervise their implementation.

D. In conjunction with the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), formulate budget estimates for the intelligence portion of the DoD budget.

E. Establish requirements for intelligence support of all research and development programs of the Military Departments and Defense Agencies.

F. Ensure that R&D project managers are provided intelligence information needed for effective direction of R&D programs.

G. Review the RDT&E intelligence programs of DoD; recommend funding levels and sources of funds for such programs.

H. Recommend to the Secretary of Defense RDT&E requirements and priorities for systems whose primary mission is intelligence and also for those systems for which intelligence should be a secondary mission.

I. Recommend policies for the management of intelligence operations, including operational requirements and priorities.

J. Coordinate intelligence activities within DoD and coordinate, as appropriate, intelligence programs for the DoD with other US Government entities.

K. Provide for DoD representation for international and interdepartmental intelligence organizations and activities.

L. Recommend appropriate steps (including the transfer, reassignment, abolition, and consolidation of intelligence functions) which will provide in the Department of Defense for more effective, efficient, and economical management of intelligence resources, eliminate unnecessary duplication, and contribute to improved military preparedness. Monitor and evaluate approved actions in these areas.

M. Recommend to the Secretary of Defense requirements and priorities for net threat assessments of US versus opposing foreign weapons systems. Provide for the development of terms of reference and the preparation of net threat assessments insuring the best available intelligence information is used by DoD Components in the process. Inform the Director of Net Assessment (Reference (b)) of the analyses and conclusions derived from such assessments.

N. Perform other functions as the Secretary of Defense assigns.

IV. Relationships

The Assistant Secretary of Defense (Intelligence) shall advise and develop recommendations for approval of the Secretary of Defense, or, as directed, act for the Secretary of Defense in the performance of the functions which are assigned herein or which may be otherwise assigned. In the performance of these functions, he shall:

A. Coordinate actions, as appropriate, with DoD Components having collateral or related functions.

B. Make full use of established facilities in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and other DoD Components rather than unnecessarily duplicating such facilities.

C. Maintain active liaison for the exchange of information and advice with DoD Components as appropriate.

V. Authorities

The Assistant Secretary of Defense (Intelligence), in the course of exercising staff functions, is hereby specifically delegated authority to:

A. Issue instructions and one-time direction-type memoranda, in writing, appropriate for carrying out approved policies and for establishing management procedures for his assigned fields of responsibilities in accordance with DoD Directive 5025.1. Instructions to the Military Departments will be issued through the Secretaries of the departments or their designees.

B. Obtain such reports, information, and assistance from the Military Departments and other DoD Components, subject to the provisions of Reference (c), as may be necessary for the performance of his assigned responsibilities and functions.

C. Communicate directly with the Secretaries of the Military Departments, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Commanders of Unified and Specified Commands, and the Directors of Defense Agencies. Keep the Joint Chiefs of Staff informed of all communications with the Commanders of Unified and Specified Commands which have strategic or military operational implications.

D. Arrange for DoD participation in those international and interdepartmental intelligence programs for which he has been assigned primary staff cognizance.

E. Communicate directly with all government agencies participating with DoD in those interdepartmental programs for which he has been assigned primary staff cognizance.³

VI. Effective Date

This Directive is effective upon publication.

Melvin R. Laird

1. Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD Files: FRC 330 77 094, 020 Intelligence 1972. No classification marking.
2. Copies of directives are maintained by the Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Correspondence and Directives, Pentagon.
3. In response to Laird’s January 3 request for comments on the directive, Secretary of the Air Force Seamans stated in a January 7 memorandum that the “proposed ASD(I) charter surfaces once again the question of centralization. It seems to run counter to the changed environment of delegated authority which you brought to the DoD. It is a difficult balance in management to achieve, but I an convinced that overcentralization in the DoD can inhibit a feeling of real responsibility among the Service secretarial offices and the top military echelons. The personnel in supervisory positions today feel that they are sharing the burden of the complex DoD management problems and are conscientiously applying themselves to these problems. I have reservations that the wording of the charter does not adequately provide for meaningful participation by other members of the DoD intelligence structure.” (Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD Files: FRC 330 77 094, 020 Intelligence 1972)