More on Training - “We’re missing a generation in the workforce”

At GEOINT, at the afternoon plenary panel on "Challenges for the GEOINT Community" moderated by Michael Jones, CTO of Google Earth, the lack of a skilled workforce continued as a major theme as mentioned in the early blog post. I was expecting to hear more on policy and geospatial technology transfer but much of the discussion turned to what Dr. Leo Hazelwood, Sr. VP and GM of SAIC, called "a missing generation in the workforce." Hazelwood indicated that because of the drawdown in funding intelligence agencies in the ‘90s that the country is lacking experienced workers necessary to stand up the agencies responsible for intelligence analysis. "The workforce is skilled but enormously green," said Hazelwood. He also said that many young workers are looking for different things in their careers and that many may not hang around for 30 years in the civil service. Jones mentioned that some organizations don’t allow their workers to fail. "Failure is the first step in creativity," he said.

Quote of the Day: “We cannot afford to be out-communicated”

Former Congressman Tim Roemer, a member of the 9-11 Commission reviewing the events of September 11th, 2001 and future recommendations for changes in government provided a keynote address at GEOINT on the issues of terrorist insurgency. He indicated that al-Qaida is using very professional means to communicate their messages to the young insurgents. In the war of ideals, Roemer said, "We can not afford to be out-communicated."

At GEOINT: Will Intelligence Spending be Affected by a Change in Congressional Leadership?

Dr. John Stopher, Budget Director for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence said that, "I think there is the idea that there is mixed news," regarding the change in leadership to a Democratically-controlled Congress. He believed the change in leadership has more to do with fighting the war than with spending for intelligence. "I would say that support for intelligence by Democrats should be as strong as from Republicans. I would be surprised at any reductions (in spending on intelligence.)"

GEOINT - Opening Session Focuses on Mom, Apple Pie and Training

The GEIONT conference is focused on the applications of geospatial technology for military and civilian intelligence gathering and interpretation. Much of the opening sessions at this year’s GEOINT conference in Orlando, Florida focussed on reviewing the mission of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency now headed by Vice Admiral Robert Murrett. Murrett delivered the keynote that presented the mission of the NGA and the fine shape in which he found the organization vacated by General James Clapper (ret.). However, a recurring theme that transcended Murrett’s presentation, his subsequent press conference and another general session during the morning was the challenge of finding and keeping talented and experienced geospatial analysts. Murrett addressed the issue of retaining personnel over the long term in a job in which the workforce finds satisfaction. Robert Cardillo, deputy director for analysis of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) said that over 50% if his workforce was not employed before 9-11. He has a daily challenge of training staff.He worries about his middle management which have not had the training of managing the analytical teams and sees no progress in training middle management. Dr. John Stopher, Budget Director for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence commented that, "There are not many people on the hill (referring to Congress) that have the time and energy to devote to this," referring to personnel policy.