Federal Position Descriptions
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Director of the National Reconnaissance Office

Director of the National Reconnaissance Office, Department Of Defense
Responsibility
Management Scope

In fiscal 2023, the Department of Defense had an enacted budget of $905.5 billion with approximately 2.1 million military personnel and 795,000 civilian personnel.2 The U.S. Intelligence Community received $71.7 billion in appropriated funds for the National Intelligence Program and the Military Intelligence Program, the former of which funds the National Reconnaissance Program.3,4,5

Primary Responsibilities
  • Collaborates with government and commercial partners to obtain innovative tools and technologies.
  • Serves as an active member of the Space Acquisition Council, which oversees, directs and manages acquisition and integration space systems and programs of the armed forces (10 U.S.C. § 9021).
  • Oversees the National Reconnaissance Program, which provides the Intelligence Community with the capability to provide intelligence on topics like imminent military aggression, early warning of foreign missile launches, battle damage assessments, tracking high-value individuals and monitoring treaty agreements and peacekeeping operations.
  • Leads integration of cutting-edge technology to modernize American architecture in space and on the ground.
  • Manages the Military Intelligence Program funding as the component manager to augment the National Intelligence Program funding in response to specific DOD requirements.
  • Coordinates with the warfighter to provide both traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support and a wide array of focused capabilities to help solve specific, critical ISR needs for deployed personnel around the world.6
Strategic Goals and Priorities
Depends on the policy priorities of the administration.
Requirements
  • Previous military service is preferred.
  • Demonstrated track record of effective leadership, either in civilian or military roles.
  • Extensive background and technical expertise in space policy, defense and/or other areas related to national security.
Competencies
  • Ability to handle sensitive matters.
  • Strong public speaking skills and ability to maintain partnerships with governmental, academic and commercial stakeholders.
Past Appointments
  • Dr. Christopher J. Scolese (August 2019 to present): Director, Goddard Space Flight Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration; associate administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration; chief engineer, Mission Support Directorate, National Aeronautics and Space Administration.7
  • Betty J. Sapp (2012 to 2019): Principal deputy director, National Reconnaissance Office, Department of Defense; deputy undersecretary, director for defense intelligence (intelligence and security programs and resources), Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security, Department of Defense; business plans and operations deputy director, National Reconnaissance Office, Department of Defense.8
  • Gen. Bruce A. Carlson, USAF (2009 to 2012): Commander, Air Force Materiel Command, Department of the Air Force; joint functional component commander for Space and Global Strike, U.S. Strategic Command, Department of Defense; director, J8 Force Structure, Resources and Assessment Directorate, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Department of Defense.9
AGENCY

Department of Defense

Mission: The mission of the Department of Defense is to provide the military forces needed to deter war and ensure our nation's security.

COMPENSATION

Level III $187,300 (5 U.S.C § 5314)1

REPORTS TO

Secretary of Defense; director of National Intelligence. Exact organizational structure is not publicly available.

SENATE COMMITTEE

Armed Services

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Footnote
  1. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/22Tables/exec/html/EX.aspx
  2. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47582 
  3. https://www.dni.gov/index.php/what-we-do/ic-budget

     

  4. https://www.dni.gov/index.php/what-we-do/members-of-the-ic#nro

     

  5. Government personnel working for the NRO are primarily on detail from the Air Force, CIA, NSA and Navy (Jeffrey Richelson, The Intelligence Community, 7th ed. (Boulder, Co: Westview Press, 2016), p. 41). Exact numbers of personnel, civilian or military, are not publicly available.
  6. https://www.everycrsreport.com/reports/R44681.html#fn63
  7. Leadership Directories. Dr. Scolese is the first NRO director to be Senate-confirmed.

     

  8. Leadership Directories.

     

  9. Leadership Directories.
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