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(U) Shadowing the SIGINT Director
FROM:
Data Acquisition Staff Specialist (S309)
Run Date: 05/07/2004
FROM:
Data Acquisition Staff Specialist (S309)
(U//FOUO) When I submitted my name for an opportunity to shadow a SIGINT Leader for the
day, I had no idea that I would be selected to shadow the SIGINT Director, MG Quirk. Spending
the day with MG Quirk was an inspiring and eye-opening experience. Collaboration, flexibility,
and communications were the key essential elements of every meeting I attended. I will
expound on a few of the meetings, to give you a sense of the day's activities.
(U//FOUO) The financial execution meeting with
and SID Leadership covered the
hard work involved in developing plans to meet the accelerated obligation and outlay rates. The
hard work and dedication to meet execution expectations resulted in very little money pulled
from Expenditure Centers to fund shortfalls. Executing funds is just as important as receiving
them.
(S) Another interesting meeting involved a briefing from a joint partnership between NSA and
CIA. Listening to the challenges and success stories of hard working civilian and military
personnel on the ground with military forces in Iraq was captivating. We don't hear about them
on the news, but they are there in the shadows producing SIGINT for commanders. Personnel in
the field appreciate our support and quick response to their requirements. We are definitely one
of the critical lifelines to the war fighter.
(S) The final meeting I will expound on was a senior level all-hands meeting that included
military and civilian leadership from across the enterprise. They discussed military field
command problems with timely SIGINT delivery and database access. Today, some brigade-level
SIGINTers are experiencing difficulties accessing critical SIGINT because of antiquated
processes, databases, and network infrastructure. The problem was not solved during the
session, but the right people took away actions to help generate a prompt suitable solution.
(U//FOUO) The shadowing program is an excellent opportunity to see leadership in action and
learn how your contribution fits into the grand scheme. I want to personally thank MG Quirk,
,
, Lt Col
and TSgt
for their hospitality and making me feel like a part of
the team.
(U) I had a great time!!!
"(U//FOUO) SIDtoday articles may not be republished or reposted outside NSANet
without the consent of S0121 (DL sid_comms)."
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DERIVED FROM: NSA/CSSM 1-52, DATED 08 JAN 2007 DECLASSIFY ON: 20320108