Shipmates,

I’m writing immediately following a very successful NIP Annual Meeting and a wonderful luncheon where I had the opportunity to present the Red Tie Award to CAPT Sid Wood, USN, (Ret) for his 52 years of service to Naval Intelligence.  The morning session was highlighted by VADM Jack Dorsett and CAPT J. Todd Ross laying out the changes underway within Naval Intelligence and at ONI.  The luncheon speech by DNI VADM Dorsett, and his responses to questions, were the capping events of a very fine day.  The text of the speech is included in this Quarterly and is on-line.

I’ve written in the past about efforts to update and revitalize NIP.  Let me provide a progress report.  In the area of Professional Development and Education (lead by Bill Tarry), we’ve held eight seminars and symposia at ONI in the past year and all are available on DVD for NIP members and Chapters. 

No less than eight additional initiatives are underway.  In the area of Networking (led by Bob Gourley and Dan Lawrence), use of NIP Mail remains robust, a NIP Group is on Linked In.  The website was redesigned and contents have been upgraded.  Visit NAVINTPRO.com to see the changes. In the area of Career Support Services (lead by Tish Long) we are establishing a mentoring program at ONI for military and civilian NIP members. 

We also have significant Chapter activities with a very active ONI Chapter, a vigorous San Diego Chapter that recently raised $4,000 for NIF scholarship programs, a reinvigorated Hawaii Chapter and emerging chapters in Fallon and Tampa.  A Norfolk/Tidewater chapter is being stood up.  We continue to see the future of NIP as being centered in chapter activities and our initiatives are taking root.

Finally, I’d like to thank departing NIP Board of Directors Jim Boyd, John Guenther, Chuck Jones and Joe Mazzafro.  Joe stepped down to make a slot available for a new member, but stays on as Secretary.  Additionally, Rick Porterfield stepped aside as President, but was re-elected to Board membership.  We welcome to the Board Ann Gilbride who recently retired as Director, Naval Maritime Intelligence Center. As a bous, Terry Roberts has agreed to serve as NIP President. Prior to joining Carnegie Mellon University, Terry was Deputy DNI. Also joining the Board is San Diego Chapter President CDR Steve Boraz, Col Frank Cubillo who recently retired as the senior Marine and deputy at NMITC. 

We have a superb NIP team in place and we’re looking forward to a great future…NIP’s 25^th Anniversary year.

Jake Jacoby