Likely to be lost in the FLAILCON 2 environment surrounding the nomination of Gen Hayden for DCIA:

U.S. intelligence czar John Negroponte this week announced the appointment of a new chancellor for the National Intelligence University.

Carson K. Eoyang’s started work May 1, said a statement Monday from the office of the director of national intelligence.

Intelligence “education” has been an issue in the IC for a long time. Even before the post 9/11 rush lots of people got intel “training” – a grounding in the basics for newcomers, or specialty training for old hands – but graduate-level education in pertinent subjects was either done on your own time (not necessarily on your own dime) or part- or full-time after a long, painful fight through the bureaucracy for one of the too few slots available at the Kent school or JMIC (or even rarer spots at NPS, or one of the Service colleges).

I always thought it odd that in what is ostensibly THE knowledge-based enterprise getting some book learnin’ under your belt was such a major hassle. And of course the standard bureaucracy factors applied; those who went were often those who could be spared, promotions often hinged on who had the higher education and more diverse experiences . . . you see where this is leading.

Limitations to physical plant, expense to the contributing agency and the hassles of pulling an unaccompanied TDY for a year puts the kibosh on the hopes of a lot of potential students. We’ll know they’re serious about change when most if not all programs at the schools under the NIU umbrella are available via asynchronous delivery.

About the Author

Michael Tanji

Michael Tanji spent nearly 20 years in the US intelligence community. Trained in both SIGINT and HUMINT disciplines he has worked at the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and the National Reconnaissance Office. At various points in his career he served as an expert in information warfare, computer network operations, computer forensics, and indications and warning. A veteran of the US Army, Michael has served in both strategic and tactical assignments in the Pacific Theater, the Balkans, and the Middle East.