Military Intelligence Corps | |
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Regimental Insignia
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Country | United States |
Branch | U.S. Army |
Type | Military intelligence |
Garrison/HQ | INSCOM – Fort Belvoir, VA |
Motto(s) | Always Out Front |
March | "Freedom on Parade" |
Engagements |
American Civil War World War I World War II Korean War Vietnam War Operation Desert Storm Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom |
Commanders | |
Current commander |
BG Nathan Fletcher |
Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence | LTG Mary A. Legere |
Insignia | |
Branch Insignia |
The Military Intelligence Corps (sometimes referred to as MI) is the intelligence branch of the United States Army. The primary mission of military intelligence in the United States Army is to provide timely, relevant, accurate, and synchronized intelligence and electronic warfare support to tactical, operational and strategic-level commanders. The Army’s intelligence components produce intelligence both for Army use and for sharing across the national intelligence community.
Approximately 28,000 military personnel and 3,800 civilian personnel are assigned to intelligence duties, comprising the Military Intelligence Corps. Some of the key components include:
Intelligence personnel were a part of the Continental Army from its founding in 1775.
In January 1863, Major General Joseph Hooker established the Bureau of Military Information for the Union Army during the Civil War, headed by George H. Sharpe. Allan Pinkerton and Lafayette C. Baker handled similar operations for their respective regional commanders. All of those operations were shut down at the end of the Civil War in 1865.
In 1885, the Army established the Military Intelligence Division (MID). In 1903, the MID was placed under the new general staff in an elevated position.
In March 1942, the Military Intelligence Division was reorganized as the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). Originally consisting of just 26 people, 16 of them officers, it was quickly expanded to include 342 officers and 1,000 enlisted personnel and civilians. It was tasked with collecting, analyzing, and disseminating intelligence. Initially it included:
In May 1942, Alfred McCormack established the Special Branch of MIS, which specialized in COMINT.
On January 1, 1942, the U.S. Army Corps of Intelligence Police (CIP), founded in World War I, was re-designated as the US Army Counter Intelligence Corps (CIC). In 1945, the Special Branch became the Army Security Agency.