DOD's Clapper to do double duty with ODNI

James Clapper Jr.’s typical day at work just got busier.

The Pentagon’s highest intelligence official received the additional job of Defense intelligence director in the National Intelligence Director’s Office (ODNI).

Defense Secretary Robert Gates and national intelligence Director Mike McConnell unveiled an agreement memorandum today that gives the undersecretary of Defense for intelligence the concurrent appointment of Defense intelligence director within ODNI.

Clapper, undersecretary of Defense for intelligence, will continue to report to the secretary and deputy secretary of Defense, according to a statement from ODNI.

In his second job as Defense intelligence director within ODNI, Clapper will report to McConnell and work as the spy chieftain’s principal adviser on Defense intelligence issues, according to the ODNI statement.

“The secretary and the director made this agreement in recognition of the crucial importance of coordinated intelligence efforts to the national security of the United States,” according to the ODNI statement.

“The Defense intelligence components provide a full range of intelligence products and analysis to a broad spectrum of consumers; from military forces in the field to senior policy-makers across the federal government,” the statement reads. “These efforts are intertwined with the national intelligence efforts overseen by the DNI.”

The agreement memorandum does not change the legal responsibilities associated with each of the two jobs Clapper will hold, according to the ODNI statement.

“This office will serve to strengthen the relationship between the DNI and the DOD,” Clapper said in the statement. He added that the reorganization would not affect day-to-day functions at Defense intelligence agencies.

“The objective here is to facilitate staff interaction and promote synchronization,” Clapper said.

Wilson P. Dizard III writes for Government Computer News, an 1105 Government Information Group publication.