Enabling CIA’s Global Reach: CIA’s Directorate of Support

The backbone of CIA's mission. The glue that binds the Agency. These are two apt descriptions for the Directorate of Support (DS) with its core responsibilities and vast networks. CIA support specialists carry out essential day-to-day functions, at Headquarters and abroad, from maintaining facilities to protecting officers and helping them navigate challenges. They are also relied upon to manage the Agency's funds, provide medical services, and procure and deliver supplies and equipment - even for sensitive covert operations. Whenever a new crisis erupts somewhere in the world, support officers remain ready to react at a moment's notice to make the mission possible.

History in the Shadows

"Gentlemen," said General George S. Patton, "the officer who doesn't know his communications and supply as well as his tactics is totally useless."

Patton and other successful military leaders throughout history understood that victory can be elusive without timely and reliable support. Likewise, intelligence agencies cannot function without essential support components.

From the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) to the present-day CIA, support specialists have served side-by-side with colleagues across directorates to ensure all mission components have everything they need for success. They get key functions up and operational at the start of every overseas assignment, keep the lights on and engines running (literally and figuratively), and get everyone and everything out safely at the end.

The DS originated as the Deputy Directorate of Administration on December 1, 1950. It truly became what it is today under the leadership of Lawrence "Red" White, who served as the Deputy Director of Administration from 1953-65. Red was tasked by the Director of Central Intelligence at the time to bring all of the administrative elements-which were scattered across CIA-under a centralized concept.

Though the organizational structure and title of the support component have changed several times over the years, the dedicated service of its professionals has always underpinned the Agency's work.

Spotlight on Support Careers

Historical narratives and popular culture often focus on CIA operations officers, technological wizards, and analysts, overlooking support officers, without whom, the Agency's collective mission could not be accomplished. With upwards of 30 different occupations, the DS is proud to be the largest of CIA's five directorates in terms of the number of employees and the greatest diversity of career paths. Each DS officer plays a critical role in enabling the speed, reach, and scale of CIA's global footprint. Here's a brief overview of just a few of the DS's broad areas of expertise:

FACILITIES

When it comes to supporting CIA's presence around the world, our facilities professionals are experts in their fields. Facilities specialists design and maintain office buildings, provide food services, and ensure the workplace is comfortable and accessible for all officers. Quick response teams assigned to facilities also jump into action in the event of fire or other emergencies.

SECURITY

Whether part of the Global Response Staff, Security Protective Services, or other threat monitoring teams at CIA, these highly-trained and courageous officers serve as the first line of defense for the nation's first line of defense. Some of the primary responsibilities of DS security officers include: providing physical protection during operations, guarding access points, and continuously monitoring current and potential threats to personnel and facilities. Don't miss The Langley Files, Episode 009 to hear more about the role of Security Protective Officers (SPOs) and one SPO's path to CIA.

HUMAN RESOURCES

"People First, Mission Always!" This is the vision statement of CIA's human resources (HR) officers who know that the organization must take care of its employees for the mission to be accomplished. In addition to guiding officers on employee regulations, compensation, and benefits from the time they onboard until the day they retire, HR officers shine at making a positive difference in the lives of officers and their families, particularly in times of need.

FINANCE

There's an old saying, "Money makes the world go 'round." Well, this is true for the finance professionals who facilitate CIA mission success by managing funds for procurements, operations, and officers' travel worldwide. As the Agency's financial stewards, responsibilities include accounting, budgeting, conducting audits, and disbursing salaries and payments.

MEDICAL

Throughout history, CIA and its predecessor organizations have employed medical professionals who optimize the health and fitness of the workforce. Day-to-day, CIA's medical experts run walk-in clinics, organize various wellbeing initiatives, and provide fitness guidance at Langley Field House. They also provide medical and psychological support wherever it is needed-from Headquarters to sensitive overseas operations-for whomever needs it-whether officers, allies, or assets.

LOGISTICS

Logistics are the life-blood of the Agency. From pens and computers to vehicles and protective gear, logistics officers procure, transport, distribute, and account for all Agency equipment and supplies. They ensure officers have everything they may need for day-to-day business or covert operations, no matter where they are in the world.

"We Go As One"

As you can tell from the broad responsibilities under the DS's purview, no single role at CIA operates in a vacuum. "We go as one." Four small words contained in the DS seal that encapsulate how the Agency accomplishes what others cannot accomplish and goes where others cannot go.

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