Established in 1882 the Office of Naval Intelligence ONI is the oldest continually operating intelligence agency in the United States. We are standing before the National Maritime Intelligence Center NMIC its modern home. This impressive facility in Suitland Maryland houses not only ONI but also the Naval Information Warfare Activity NIWA the Marine Corps Intelligence Activity MCIA and the Coast Guard Intelligence Coordination Center ICC.
The NMIC wasn’t always this unified. Its creation in the 1990s followed the end of the Cold War. The US Navy had seven separate intelligence organizations. They needed consolidation. The process started in 1991 with the closure of several offices. These functions were folded into a new center NAVMIC. Less than two years later another reorganization happened placing NAVMIC under ONI.
Finally in 1994 the NMIC was formed. This joint operating center brought together the Navy Marine Corps and Coast Guard intelligence under one roof. It wasn’t a single command though. The Navy and Marines fall under the Department of Defense. The Coast Guard however is part of the Department of Homeland Security. The NMIC provides a unified source of maritime intelligence for all. It supports joint warfighters and other national agencies.
The NMIC occupies 42 acres of the 226-acre Suitland Federal Center. It’s a large 603000 square-foot facility. The building is situated on the Metro’s Green Line. It’s near the Census Bureau and the National Archives. The NMIC has a somewhat open appearance. This attracts talented recruits. They need architects engineers communications analysts scientists and mathematicians.
ONI itself has a rich history. Before World War I its focus was technical data on foreign navies and war games. The war expanded its responsibilities. It provided security and hunted spies. ONI also survived the post-Cold War downsizing. Its role is crucial in protecting US interests. Its work includes long-term analysis of foreign naval forces. It is involved in intelligence systems acquisition and much more. Today the NMIC and ONI continue to play vital roles in national security. They adapt to new threats. The ongoing war on terrorism has greatly increased its significance in protecting our nation’s maritime interests.