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A Guide to the National Reconnaissance Office

A Guide to the National Reconnaissance OfficeWhat is the National Reconnaissance Office?

The National Reconnaissance Office is one of the sixteen intelligence agencies of the United States Federal Government. The primary responsibility of the National Reconnaissance Office is to design, build and operate the spy satellites of the United States Federal Government.

National Reconnaissance Office Quick Facts:

The following details outline the administration of the National Reconnaissance Office:

The National Reconnaissance Office was formed in 1961

The headquarters of the National Reconnaissance Office are located in Chantilly, Virginia

The annual operating budget for the National Reconnaissance Office is classified

The National Reconnaissance Office operates with approximately 3,000 employees

The National Reconnaissance Office is responsible for the jurisdiction over the United States Federal Government

The head of the National Reconnaissance Office is General Bruce Carlson; the Principal Deputy of the National Reconnaissance Office is Betty Sapp; the Major General of the National Reconnaissance Office is Susan Mashiko.

The parent agency to the National Reconnaissance Office is the United states Department of Defense.

Mission of the National Reconnaissance Office:

The National Reconnaissance Office develops and subsequently operates space reconnaissance systems to conduct intelligence-related activities for the United States National Security Systems. Additionally, the National Reconnaissance Office coordinates collection and the analysis of information delivered from airplane and satellite reconnaissance by the military service of the Federal Government as well as the Central Intelligence Agency.

The National Reconnaissance Office is funded through the National Reconnaissance Program, which is an integral part of the National Foreign Intelligence Program—the agency is grouped within the Department of Defense.

The National Reconnaissance Office works with its intelligence and space partners, including the National Security Agency, the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the United States Strategic Command, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the United States Strategic Command, the Naval Research laboratory and various other organizations and governmental agencies.

How is the National Reconnaissance Office Organized?

The National Reconnaissance Office is part of the United States Department of Defense. The Director or head of the office is appointed by the Secretary of Defense with the implicit consent of the Director of National Intelligence; subsequent confirmation from Congress is not needed.

With the inception of the National Reconnaissance Office, several organizations were incorporated into the model including:

Program A: Secretary of the Air Force Space Systems

Program B: CIA Office for Engineering & Development

Program C: Naval Research Lab and elements of the Naval Security Group

Program D: National Reconnaissance Program Aircraft Reconnaissance

Government Agency of the Executive Branch:

Government agencies are defined as organizations, councils, and offices operating under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government of the United States of America; each federal agency retains specific administrative jurisdiction over specific facets latent within the operations of the United States Government.

The National Reconnaissance Office functions as a government agency under the Executive Branch of the United States government, which is comprised of 3 total branches; in addition to the Executive branch – which is responsible for the regulation and enforcement of operational legislation existing within the United States of America – there also exists the Legislative and Judicial Branches.

A Guide to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service

A Guide to the Naval Criminal Investigative ServiceWhat is the Naval Criminal Investigative Service?

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (better known as the NCIS) is a Federal agency that operates within the United States of America that is responsible for security, counter-terrorism, counter-intelligence and law enforcement for the United States Department of the Navy.

Naval Criminal Investigative Service Quick Facts:

The following details outline the administration of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service:

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service was founded in 1992

The headquarters of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service are located in the Russell Knox Building at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is responsible for the jurisdiction over the Federal Government of the United States of America

The head of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service is Executive Mark D. Clookie

The Parent Agency of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service is the United States Department of the Navy

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service Office is comprised of 16 field offices and several units positioned throughout the world. The Naval Criminal investigative Service Office operates with approximately 2,500 employees; roughly half of these employees are civilian special agents who are trained to carry out a number of assignments throughout the world.

Naval Criminal investigative Service special agents are armed federal law enforcement investigators, who will frequently coordinate with other government agencies of the United States Government. These agents are supported by analysts and other experts skilled in various disciplines such as: surveillance, forensics, surveillance countermeasures, computer investigations, polygraph examinations and physical security operations. 

Government Agency of the Executive Branch:

Government agencies are defined as organizations, councils, and offices operating under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government of the United States of America; each federal agency retains specific administrative jurisdiction over specific facets latent within the operations of the United States Government.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service functions as a government agency under the Executive Branch of the United States government, which is comprised of 3 total branches; in addition to the Executive branch – which is responsible for the regulation and enforcement of operational legislation existing within the United States of America – there also exists the Legislative and Judicial Branches.

A Guide to the Patent and Trademark Office

A Guide to the Patent and Trademark Office

 

What is the Patent and Trademark Office?

The Patent and Trademark Office is a Federal agency that operates within the United States of America and more specifically the United States Department of Commerce. The Patent and Trademark Office, better known as the USPTO, is responsible for issuing patents to investors and business entities for their particular inventions. Additionally, the Patent and Trademark Office will provide trademark registration for product and intellectual property identification.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office cooperates with the European patent Office as well as the Japan Office; together these three departments form the Trilateral Patent Office. In addition to issuing patents and trademarks, the United States Patent and Trademark Office also acts as a receiving station, an International Searching Authority and an International Preliminary Examination Authority for international filings for patent applications—all international patent applications must be filed in accordance with the United States’ Patent Cooperation Treaty.

Patent and Trademark Office Quick Facts:

The following details outline the administration of the Patent and Trademark Office:

The headquarters of the Patent and Trademark Office are located in Alexandria, Virginia

The Patent and Trademark Office is responsible for the jurisdiction over the Federal Government of the United States of America

The head of the Patent and Trademark Office is Agency Executive David Kappos who operates under the Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property. Mr. Kappos, was sworn into office on August 13, 2009 following confirmation awarded by the United States Senate—Kappos was originally appointed to office by President Barack Obama.

Mission of the Patent and Trademark Office:

The legal basis regarding the United States patent system is outlined in Article 1, Section 8 of the United States Constitution. This article states that the United States Congress possesses the power to promote the progress of Science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors, the exclusive right to their respective discoveries and writings. Contact a patent lawyer to consult your case.

Using this framework as their legal foundation, the mission of the Patent and Trademark Office is as follows:

The United States Patent and Trademark office aims to promote industrial and technological progress in the United States

The United States Patent and Trademark Office aims to spark the economy through the administration of laws relating to the issuance of patents and trademarks and by advising the Secretary of Commerce, the President of the United States and the administration on patent, copyright protection and trademarks.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office also aims to provide advice regarding the trade-related aspects of intellectual property.

Government Agency of the Executive Branch:

Government agencies are defined as organizations, councils, and offices operating under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government of the United States of America; each federal agency retains specific administrative jurisdiction over specific facets latent within the operations of the United States Government.

The Patent and Trademark Office functions as a government agency under the Executive Branch of the United States government, which is comprised of 3 total branches; in addition to the Executive branch – which is responsible for the regulation and enforcement of operational legislation existing within the United States of America – there also exists the Legislative and Judicial Branches.

A Guide to the Bureau of the Census

A Guide to the Bureau of the CensusWhat is the Bureau of the Census?

The Bureau of the Census is a Federal agency that operates within the United States of America that is responsible for the United States Census. In addition to offering detailed information regarding the census, the Bureau of the Census gathers other national demographic and economic data.

The Bureau of the Census is part of the United States Department of Commerce; as a subdivision, the Bureau of the Census serves as the primary source of data concerning America’s people and the general economy.

The primary role of the Bureau of the Census is to perform the official count (conducted every 10 years) of people living in the United States of America. This tally is then used as the reallocation of the number of seats each state is permitted in the House of Representatives. In addition to political structure, the United States Census also affects a wide range of government programs issued by each state.

Bureau of the Census Quick Facts:

The following details outline the administration of the Bureau of the Census:

The Bureau of the Census was formed on July 1 of 1903

The Bureau of the Census’ director is a political appointee selected by the President of the United States

The headquarters of the Bureau of the Census are located in Suitland, Maryland

The Bureau of the Census operates with roughly 6,000 government employees.

The Bureau of the Census operates with an annual budget of roughly $1.3 Billion

The Bureau of the Census is responsible for the jurisdiction over the Federal Government of the United States of America

The head of the Bureau of the Census is headed by Director Robert Groves

The Parent Agency of the Bureau of the Census is the Economics and Statistics Administration

Functions of the Bureau of the Census:

The United States Constitution directs that the country’s population be enumerated at least once every ten years; the resulting tally is used to set the number of members from each state in the House Representatives, and by extension in the Electoral College.

The data offered by the Bureau of the Census is used to decide the location of new housing and public facilities, to examine the demographic characteristics of various communities in America, to plan transportation systems and roadways and to create localized area for utilities, elections and schools.

Furthermore, the United States Census is used to determine quotas and create police and fire precincts in an appropriate fashion. Businesses will also use the statistics offered by the Bureau of the Census to forecast future product demand, determine future need for various entities (such as hospitals or day care centers) and to determine site locations for new business expansion.

Government Agency of the Executive Branch:

Government agencies are defined as organizations, councils, and offices operating under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government of the United States of America; each federal agency retains specific administrative jurisdiction over specific facets latent within the operations of the United States Government.
The Bureau of the Census functions as a government agency under the Executive Branch of the United States government, which is comprised of 3 total branches; in addition to the Executive branch – which is responsible for the regulation and enforcement of operational legislation existing within the United States of America – there also exists the Legislative and Judicial Branches.

A Guide to the Bureau of Economic Analysis

A Guide to the Bureau of Economic AnalysisWhat is the Bureau of Economic Analysis?

The Bureau of Economic Analysis is a Federal agency in the United States Department of Commerce that provides critical economic statistics, most notably the gross domestic product of the United States. The stated mission of the Bureau of Economic Analysis is to “promote a better understanding of the United States economy by providing the most timely, relevant and accurate data in an objective and cost-effective manner.”

Bureau of Economic Analysis Quick Facts:

The following details outline the administration of the Bureau of Economic Analysis:

The Bureau of Economic Analysis was formed on January 1st of 1972.

The headquarters of the Bureau of Economic Analysis are located in Washington D.C.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis  is responsible for the jurisdiction over the Federal Government of the United States of America

The head of the Bureau of Economic Analysis  is Director J. Steven Landefeld

The preceding agency of the Bureau of Economic Analysis is the Office of Business Economics. The parent agency of the Bureau of Economic Analysis is the Economics and Statistics Administration

What is the Gross Domestic Product?

The Gross Domestic Product or GDP, refers to the market value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a specified time period—usually a fiscal year. The Gross Domestic Product is often considered a primary indicator of a country’s standard of living. As a vital economic statistic, the gross domestic product is related to national accounts and is a fundamental subject in macroeconomics.

The Gross Domestic Product can be determined in three specific ways, each of which should yield the same numerical value. The three ways for determine the GDP are the product (or output) approach, the expenditure approach and the income approach. The most common approach for calculating a nation’s GDP is the product approach, which sums the nation’s outputs of every class of enterprise.

The expenditure approach uses to principle that all of the product must be purchased by somebody, as a result, the value of the total product must equal the population’s total expenditures for buying products or services. The income approach uses the principle that the incomes of the productive factors must be equivalent to the value of the nation’s total production—this approach calculates GDB by finding the sum of all producers’ incomes.

Government Agency of the Executive Branch

Government agencies are defined as organizations, councils, and offices operating under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government of the United States of America; each federal agency retains specific administrative jurisdiction over specific facets latent within the operations of the United States Government.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis functions as a government agency under the Executive Branch of the United States government, which is comprised of 3 total branches; in addition to the Executive branch – which is responsible for the regulation and enforcement of operational legislation existing within the United States of America – there also exists the Legislative and Judicial Branches.

Learn About the Defense Contract Audit Agency

Learn About the Defense Contract Audit AgencyWhat is the Defense Contract Audit Agency?

The Defense Contract Audit Agency is a Federal agency that operates within the United States of America that, under the direction and control of the United States Under Secretary of Defense, is responsible for performing contract audits for the United States Department of Defense.

In addition, the Defense Contract Audit Agency is also responsible for providing various accounting and financial advisory-based services regarding contracts and subcontracts to components of the Department of Defense. The services offered by the Defense Contract Audit Agency are connected with negotiation, administration and subsequent settlement of all contracts and subcontracts coordinated by the United States Department of Defense.

History of the Defense Contract Audit Agency:

Audits of military contracts have existed since the 1940s. During this time, the various branches of the military developed their own contract audit functions and associated separate accounting rulings. As a result of the separation between the military branches, uniformity was non-existent in regards to the auditing of military contracts. Government personnel and their coordinating contractors quickly realized the need for consistency regarding the areas of contract administration and audit.

On June 18, 1952 the three military branches jointly issued a Contract Audit Manual; this manual prescribed policies and procedures for use in auditing procurement contracts. As a result of the differences realized between the procurement organizations and the practices of the services, affirming the manual was complicated. In June of 1965, however, the Defense Contract Audit Agency was formed, which uniformly established an auditing system for the procurement of military contracts.

In modern times, the Defense Contract Audit Agency consists of roughly 4,000 people located in more than 300 field offices throughout the United States, the Pacific and Europe. Together, the agency provides standardized contract audit services for the Department of Defense and various accounting and financial advisory services regarding the drafting of contracts and subcontracts for all components of the Department of Defense that are aligned with the procurement and contract administration.

A Guide to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service

A Guide to the Defense Finance and Accounting ServiceWhat is the Defense Finance and Accounting Service?

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service is a Federal agency that operates within the United States Department of Defense to provide finance and accounting services for the civil and military members of the agency. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service, more specifically pays all Department of Defense military and civilian personnel, annuitants, retirees, as well as major contractors and venders of the Department.

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service is a working capital fund agency that is financed through the reimbursement of operating costs from its various governmental customers, most notably the military service departments. This unique service to provider relationship with its customers enables the department to experience continuous innovation and improvement in regards to the quality of services offered by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service.

In 2010, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service processed approximately 168.9 million pay transactions, which accounts to roughly 6.4 million people. In addition, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service coordinated approximately 8.1 million travel payments, paid roughly 11.4 million commercial invoices, maintained over 255 million worth of General Ledger accounts and managed both military retirement as well as health benefit funds (over 490 billion dollars).

Furthermore, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service made over $580 billion in disbursement payments, managed nearly $32 billion in foreign military sales and accounted for roughly 1,130 active Department of Defense appropriations.

Defense Finance and Accounting Service Quick Facts:

The following details outline the administration of the Defense Finance and Accounting Service:

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service was formed in 1991

The headquarters of the Defense Finance and Accounting Service is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana but maintains satellite offices throughout the country.

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service operates with an annual budget of approximately $1.5 billion

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service is responsible for the jurisdiction over the Department of Defense of the United States Federal Government

The head of the Defense Finance and Accounting Service is Agency Director Teresa Mckay; however, the agency is led by various executives including: Richard Gustafson (Principal Deputy Director), Steven Turner (Deputy Director of Operations) and Nancy Zmyslinski (Deputy Director of Strategic Business Management.

Government Agency of the Executive Branch:

Government agencies are defined as organizations, councils, and offices operating under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government of the United States of America; each federal agency retains specific administrative jurisdiction over specific facets latent within the operations of the United States Government.

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service functions as a government agency under the Executive Branch of the United States government, which is comprised of 3 total branches; in addition to the Executive branch – which is responsible for the regulation and enforcement of operational legislation existing within the United States of America – there also exists the Legislative and Judicial Branches.

A Guide to the Defense Intelligence Agency

A Guide to the Defense Intelligence AgencyWhat is the Defense Intelligence Agency?

The Defense Intelligence Agency is a Federal agency that stands as a fundamental member of the Intelligence Community of the United States’ Federal Government. The Defense Intelligence Agency is a major producer and manager of military intelligence for the Department of Defense; the Defense Intelligence Agency is responsible for providing military intelligence to defense policymakers, warfighters and force planners positioned within the Department of Defense and the United States Intelligence Community.

In general, all initiatives and responsibilities carried out by the Defense Intelligence Agency are delivered in support of the United States’ military planning and operations as well as their weapon systems acquisitions.

The stated mission of the Defense Intelligence Agency is provide timely, cogent and objective military intelligence to defense planners, warfighters and national security policy makers. The Defense Intelligence Agency, which is considered a fundamental organization within the Intelligence Community, is the predominant advisers to the United States Secretary of Defense as well as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff regarding issues related to military intelligence.

In alignment with the Military Intelligence Board, the Defense Intelligence Agency unifies the Defense Intelligence Community on primary issues such as the raw number of deployed forces, policy, resources and assessments. In addition, to provide support to weapon systems planners and the domestic defense industry, the Defense Intelligence Agency plays a fundamental role in providing intelligence on foreign weapon systems.

The Defense Intelligence Agency is led by a director, who generally is a three-star military officer. The DIA is organized into the following primary operational centers and directorates:

The Defense Counterintelligence and HUMINT Center

The Directorate for Information management and Chief Information Officer

The Directorate for MASINT and Technical Collection

The Directorate for Analysis

The Directorate for Intelligence, Joint Staff

The Defense Intelligence Operations Coordination Center

Defense Intelligence Agency Quick Facts:

The following details outline the administration of the Defense Intelligence Agency:

The Defense Intelligence Agency was formed on October 1st of 1961 by Robert McNamara

The headquarters of the Defense Intelligence Agency are located in The Pentagon Building

The number of employees is classified; however, the Defense Intelligence Agency is through to operate with roughly 17,000 employees, of which 35% are military agents and 65% civilians.

The operating budget of the Defense Intelligence Agency is classified

The Defense Intelligence Agency is responsible for the jurisdiction over the United States Department of Defense

The head of the Defense Intelligence Agency is Lieutenant General Ronald Burgess

Government Agency of the Executive Branch

Government agencies are defined as organizations, councils, and offices operating under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government of the United States of America; each federal agency retains specific administrative jurisdiction over specific facets latent within the operations of the United States Government. The Defense Intelligence Agency functions as a government agency under the Executive Branch of the United States government, which is comprised of 3 total branches; in addition to the Executive branch – which is responsible for the regulation and enforcement of operational legislation existing within the United States of America – there also exists the Legislative and Judicial Branches.

A Guide to the Defense Logistics Agency

A Guide to the Defense Logistics AgencyWhat is the Defense Logistics Agency?

The Defense Logistics Agency is a Federal agency within the United States Department of Defense responsible for providing supplies to the military services stationed throughout the world. In addition to this crucial service, the Defense Logistics Agency supports the military’s acquisition of weapons repair parts and other materiel crucial for the basic functions of the United States military forces. Aside from providing support to the United States Military, the Defense Logistics Agency also engages in crucial effort for victims of natural disasters and to those in need.

Defense Logistics Agency Quick Facts:

The following details outline the administration of the Defense Logistics Agency:

The Defense Logistics  Agency was founded in 1961

The headquarters of the Defense Logistics  Agency are located in Fort Belvoir, Virginia

The Defense Logistics  Agency is responsible for the jurisdiction over the United States Federal Government and more specifically the United States Department of Defense

The head of the Defense Logistics  Agency is Agency Executive Alan S. Thompson—the Vice Director of the Defense Logistics Agency is Mae DeVincentis

The Defense Logistics Agency operates with roughly 26,000 employees

How is the Defense Logistics Agency Organized?

In July 2010, the Defense Logistics Agency began to rename several field activities to concisely identify how each subdivision and activity contributes to the general mission of Warfighter support. The following agencies and subdivisions comprise the broader Defense Logistics Agency:

Defense Supply Center Columbus to DLA Land and Maritime

Defense Supply Center Philadelphia to DLA Troop Support

Defense Supply Center Richmond to DLA Aviation

Defense Energy Support Center to DLA Energy

Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service to DLA Disposition Services

Defense Distribution Center to DLA Distribution

Defense Logistics Information Service to DLA Logistics Information Service

Document Automation and Production Service to DLA Document Services

Defense National Stockpile Center to DLA Strategic Materials

Government Agency of the Executive Branch:

Government agencies are defined as organizations, councils, and offices operating under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government of the United States of America; each federal agency retains specific administrative jurisdiction over specific facets latent within the operations of the United States Government.

The Defense Logistics Agency functions as a government agency under the Executive Branch of the United States government, which is comprised of 3 total branches; in addition to the Executive branch – which is responsible for the regulation and enforcement of operational legislation existing within the United States of America – there also exists the Legislative and Judicial Branches. 

Quick Outline of the Defense Security Service

Quick Outline of the Defense Security ServiceWhat is the Defense Security Service?

The Defense Security Service is a Federal agency within the United States Department of Defense. As a result of this grouping, the Defense Security Service is responsible for fulfilling numerous responsibilities and objectives aligned with the Department of Defense’s general mission statement. More specifically, the Defense Security Service is tasked with facilitating personnel security investigations, performing security education and awareness training, and supervising the industrial security sector as a whole.

Although the aforementioned roles are crucial, the Defense Security Service is not a Federal Law Enforcement Organization of the United States Federal Government; the Defense Security Service does not possess any sort of police power. The Defense Security Service, formally known as the Defense Investigative Service, was formally established in 1972—the agency underwent a name change in 1999.

Defense Security Service Quick Facts:

The following details outline the administration of the Defense Security Service:

The Defense Security Service was founded in 1972

The headquarters of the Defense Security Service are located in Washington D.C.

The Defense Security Service is responsible for the jurisdiction over the Federal Government of the United States

The Defense Security Service contains roughly 620 civilian employees; of those civilian employees, approximately 350 of them are Industrial Security Representatives, who are responsible for the 12,000 industry facilities under the Defense Security Service jurisdiction. All Industrial Security Representatives and Information System Security Professionals of the Defense Security Service are credentialed Special Agents of the Federal Government of the United States.

The head of the Defense Security Service is

Government Agency of the Executive Branch:

Government agencies are defined as organizations, councils, and offices operating under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government of the United States of America; each federal agency retains specific administrative jurisdiction over specific facets latent within the operations of the United States Government. The Defense Security Service functions as a government agency under the Executive Branch of the United States government, which is comprised of 3 total branches; in addition to the Executive branch – which is responsible for the regulation and enforcement of operational legislation existing within the United States of America – there also exists the Legislative and Judicial Branches.