Intelligence officers are responsible for the research, development, analysis, and maintenance of DlA's worldwide intelligence data base. They generate finished intelligence that helps guide decision-making within the Agency and throughout the government. Their advanced work might include preparation of analytical studies and the presentation of oral briefings. Intelligence officers can become involved in the entire spectrum of collecting, analyzing, evaluating, interpreting, and disseminating information on economic, social, cultural, physical, geographic, scientific, and military factors in foreign areas. The duties of intelligence officers can be as diverse as the subjects they research.
Some analysts devote themselves to deducing the intentions of foreign governments.
Some study foreign armed forces, their strengths and disposition, equipment, and state of readiness. Still others study the war-supporting industrial base in order to estimate the capability of foreign countries to sustain a war effort, and organize the findings of others and forward them to higher authorities. The Directorate for Scientific and Technical Intelligence is composed of four analytical divisions. Each utilizes specialists in a wide range of disciplines to determine the strengths and weaknesses of our adversaries in relation to our national defense. The Nuclear Energy Division employs professional military and civilian nuclear physicists, chemists, nuclear engineers, and intelligence research specialists.