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(U) View from the NVTC Director's Seat
FROM: SIGINT Communications
Unknown
Run Date: 10/01/2004
(U//FOUO) Here's a continuation to Wednesday's article on the National Virtual Translation
Center...
(U//FOUO) Everette Jordan, the Director of the National Virtual Translation Center
and detailed NSA employee, candidly spoke about his most recent effort. Mr.
Jordan explained that the NVTC is a work in progress but is already successfully
achieving its mission. It was created by congressional legislation as an official part of the
Intelligence Community, and became fully operational on July 31st. Its leadership is drawn from
the IC client agencies, with the FBI serving as the center's executive agent and the ADCI/A&P*
providing mission guidance.
(U) "What makes the Center work," explained Jordan, "is the center is both national and virtual.
People all over the country are working on documents in secure facilities when necessary, and
on their home computers when they work on unclassified." Jordan stated the unclassified portion
amounted to roughly half of the total. Despite the large portion of unclassified work, all
employees of the NVTC must be US persons and must undergo an investigation. FBI, as the
executive agent of the NVTC, conducts the background investigations for the NVTC employees
and provides other administrative support.
(U//FOUO) "This is a great opportunity for retired NSA employees. They can live in Florida and
make some extra money in their robe and slippers. And they are helping their country," claimed
Jordan. In addition to the opportunity for retired employees, Jordan discussed the waiver that
has passed allowing current NSA employees to work at the NVTC in their leisure time -- just as
they might work somewhere else, like The Home Depot. The work is on an "at-will and asavailable" basis, so a consistent work schedule is not necessary.
(U) In its first 18 months, the NVTC has established itself and become operational. In the next
18 months, Jordan foresees it solidifying its position and fine-tuning its operations. He wants to
have qualified linguists "lined up and waiting," even for obscure languages that may suddenly
leap to the forefront of importance.
(U) Aside from the translation work, Jordan described what it's like to work with other members
of the Intelligence Community. He alluded to the unique jargon each individual agency uses in
its operations, saying this was a "language" challenge of its own for the NVTC. "It's been quite
an experience [building the NVTC]. I just buckled my seatbelt and held on tight!" Starting from
scratch, Jordan and his staff had to create an identity for the NVTC from the ground up -- even
including the need invent a logo for the organization. He considers this groundbreaking work the
best job he's ever had in his career.
*(U) Notes:
ADCI/A&P = Assistant Director of Central Intelligence for Analysis & Production
(U) For more information on the NVTC, see its Internet web page at: http://www.nvtc.gov.
"(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