Story by Adelia Henderson, ODNI Office of Strategic Communications
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence turns 17 today! Since the beginning of the agency in 2005, ODNI continues to lead intelligence integration across the U.S. Intelligence Community in a variety of ways. In honor of ODNI’s 17th anniversary, here are some notable moments from our history.
Founding of ODNI
After the September 11th terrorist attacks, Congress passed the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. This created the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to oversee a 17-organization Intelligence Community by improving integration and information sharing.
On April 21, 2005, Ambassador John Negroponte and Gen. Michael Hayden were sworn in as the first Director of National Intelligence and Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, respectively, following Senate confirmation. ODNI began operations on April 22, 2005. The first year consisted of several office moves, as ODNI was first located in the Old Executive Office Building. The agency then moved to the New Executive Office Building, before landing at present day Joint-Base Anacostia Bolling in 2006.
The National Counterproliferation Center is Created
Under the IRTPA and based on recommendations from the Weapons of Mass Destruction Committee, DNI Negroponte announced the creation of the National Counterproliferation Center (NCPC) in December 2005. Today, NCPC helps counter threats against the United States from the proliferation of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons – missiles capable of delivering them.
Founding of IARPA
The Intelligence Advanced Project Research Activity was established under ODNI and created in 2007. IARPA invests in high-risk, high-payoff research programs to tackle some of the most difficult challenges of the agencies and disciplines faced by the Intelligence Community. Learn more about IARPA here.
ODNI Moves to Liberty Crossing
In 2008, ODNI moved to its current headquarters in McLean, Virginia. A new building was constructed next to the National Counterterrorism Center to serve as ODNI’s headquarters. The two buildings are shaped like an “L” and “X”, and the site is collectively referred to as Liberty Crossing. NCTC is aligned under ODNI and plays a vital role in protecting our country and U.S. interests around the world from the threat of terrorism.
ODNI Employee Resource Groups Begin in 2014
As it approached the end of its first decade, ODNI’s approach to cultivating a diverse workforce evolved to establish Employee Resource Groups in 2014, consistent with the Principles of Professional Ethics for the Intelligence Community. These groups foster unified culture across ODNI and advocate for a more inclusive workplace aligned with ODNI’s mission, vision and values. Currently, there are 10 active, employee-led ERGs.
The National Counterintelligence and Security Center is Created
DNI Clapper established the National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) in 2014. The existing Office of the National Counterintelligence Executive was combined with the Center for Security Evaluation, the Special Security Center and the National Insider Threat Task Force to integrate and align counterintelligence and security mission areas.
Intelligence Community Campus – Bethesda Opens
As ODNI matured over the years, so did its facilities. Originally serving as a facility for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, ODNI acquired the Intelligence Community Campus – Bethesda in 2012. The site underwent renovations, and officially opened in 2015.
The U.S. Space Force Joins the Intelligence Community
The country’s newest Armed Forces branch officially became the IC’s 18th agency on January 8, 2021. Space Force was the first new organization to join the IC since 2006, when the Drug Enforcement Agency joined. Space Force’s addition advances strategic change across the national security space enterprise.
Avril Haines Sworn in as DNI
On January 21, 2021, Avril Haines became the seventh Senate-confirmed Director of National Intelligence. She is the first woman to lead the IC and previously served as deputy director of CIA. Read her confirmation hearing testimony here.
The National Intelligence University Joins ODNI
In June 2021, the National Intelligence University transitioned from the Defense Intelligence Agency to ODNI. NIU is the leading institution for intelligence education, in-depth research and interagency engagement that offers classified courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more about NIU’s transition to ODNI here.
Dr. Stacey Dixon Sworn in as PDDNI
Dr. Stacey Dixon began serving as the sixth Senate-confirmed Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence on August 4, 2021. She is the first person of color confirmed to this position and the highest-ranking African American woman in the IC.
