CIA Structure and Directorates Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, leadership, directorates, and executive functions of the Central Intelligence Agency.

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

An independent U.S. government agency responsible for providing objective foreign intelligence to the President, National Security Council, and senior policymakers to assist in national security decisions.

John L. Radcliffe

The CIA Director starting in 2025 who became the first person to serve as both Director of National Intelligence and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

Michael Ellis

The Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency in 2025.

Mission Centers

Specialized, multidisciplinary centers within the CIA that integrate operational, analytic, support, technical, and digital capabilities to address high-priority regional and functional issues.

Stewardship

A CIA core value centered on protecting sources and methods from the moment service begins until an officer's last breath.

Directorate of Analysis (DA)

The CIA directorate responsible for providing timely and objective intelligence analysis to inform U.S. officials on key national and foreign policy issues.

CIA World Intelligence Review (WIRe)

The flagship daily electronic publication of the Directorate of Analysis, aimed at senior U.S. foreign policy officials, security officials, military personnel, and Congress.

President's Daily Brief (PDB)

An Intelligence Community daily publication overseen by ODNI that compiles essential intelligence analysis on key national security concerns for the President, Vice President, and select designated officials.

Directorate of Science and Technology (DS&T)

The CIA directorate that applies innovative, scientific, engineering, and technical solutions to support the foreign intelligence mission.

Directorate of Mission Systems (DMS)

The CIA's newest directorate, which powers integrated intelligence by operating artificial intelligence, data, applications, infrastructure, and cybersecurity as a single mission system.

Directorate of Support (DS)

The backbone directorate of the CIA that provides essential global services including security, supply chains, facilities, financial services, medical services, human resources, and logistics.

Directorate of Operations (DO)

The CIA directorate that handles the collection of intelligence acquired through human sources (HUMINT) and conducts covert actions as directed by the President.

HUMINT

Human intelligence; intelligence collected from human sources.

Congressional Affairs

An Executive Office that acts as the liaison between the CIA and Congress, ensuring Congress remains fully informed of intelligence activities.

General Counsel

An Executive Office responsible for legal advice, guidance, and the efficient management of all CIA legal affairs.

Military Affairs

An Executive Office that plans, coordinates, executes, and sustains activities supporting CIA and Department of War interactions worldwide.