Read Lowenthal's Chapter 4: "The Intelligence Process - A Macro Look: Who Does What for Whom?" in Intelligence: From Secrets to Policy.
As you read this chapter 4, do some critical thinking and ask yourself:
Reference the second bullet above on analyst's training; the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) puts great emphasis on training their analysts. As an example, NGA manages the GEOINT Professional Certification Program (GPC), part of a broader initiative to professionalize the Department of Defense Intelligence Enterprise workforce. Certifications are based upon a set of competencies associated with the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully execute the mission. Earning a GPC credential demonstrates proficiency in the content areas in the essential body of knowledge for that certification. These certifications promote interoperability across the GEOINT community and enable practitioners to demonstrate proficiency in the competencies that are common to their specific geospatial intelligence discipline. For additional information about this program, visit GEOINT Professional Certification [1].
GPC credentials are categorized as either proficiency at the fundamental level or within a specific GEOINT discipline or tradecraft. According to the GPC essential body of knowledge, core competencies at the fundamental level are:
The U.S. Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the geospatial intelligence tradecraft. USGIF supports academic programs and accredits colleges and universities that offer geospatial intelligence certificate and degree programs. A list of accredited schools and the programs they offer can be found here: USGIF Academic Programs [2]. Penn State's program was one of the first to be offered and accredited. An article about the beginning of this program is below.
Why are multiple programs offered in geospatial intelligence? Are these programs redundant, or do they fulfill different educational functions? Going back to your critical approach, do the different cultural filters and agendas of NGA versus academic programs influence the programs?Penn State Begins First Online Geospatial Intelligence Program
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
University Park, Pa. — In light of a greatly increased demand for qualified analysts in the intelligence, defense and emergency management fields, Penn State has developed a new online certificate program in geospatial intelligence (GEOINT). The ... program is designed to provide students with the core competencies required to effectively and ethically provide geospatial analysis to key decision makers at defense, governmental, business and nongovernmental organizations. (para.1)
Rather than simply developing students' proficiency with technology, Penn State's geography faculty want to develop students' abilities in critical thinking and spatial analysis, while promoting cultural sensitivity and high ethical standards to students in the field. (para. 5)
Penn State's Geospatial Intelligence Certificate program [3] is the first online program of its kind in the nation. (para. 9)
Reference
Penn State begins first online geospatial intelligence program. (2007, June 20). https://www.psu.edu/news/university-park/story/penn-state-begins-first-o... [4]
Prepare for the quiz answering the following questions.
Links
[1] https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nga.mil%2Fresources%2FGEOINT_Professional_Certification.html&data=05%7C01%7Cgat5%40psu.edu%7C90ef1e103138496c0e6808dbbe9c5749%7C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%7C0%7C0%7C638313350907384327%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=HxONU1elWHRk4JLYY1GXlnogadnoUJWen8Va3ON%2B9rA%3D&reserved=0
[2] https://usgif.org/education/
[3] http://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/geo
[4] https://www.psu.edu/news/university-park/story/penn-state-begins-first-online-geospatial-intelligence-program/