Director of Central Intelligence (DCI)
The DCI is the primary adviser to the President and the National Security Council on national foreign intelligence matters. He is the head of the Central Intelligence Agency and of such other staff elements as are required for the discharge of his Intelligence Community responsibilities.
Executive Order 12333, issued by President Reagan on 4 December 1981, gives the DCI authority to develop and implement the National Foreign Intelligence Program and to coordinate the tasking of all Intelligence Community collection elements.
In addition to staff elements of the Office of the DCI, the Intelligence Community consists of the Central Intelligence Agency; the National Security Agency; the Defense Intelligence Agency; the National Reconnaissance Office; the National Imagery and Mapping Agency; the Bureau of Intelligence and Research of the Department of State; and the intelligence elements of the military services, the FBI, and the Departments of Treasury and Energy. The Director of Central Intelligence has four major Community responsibilities: to serve as the senior intelligence officer of the government; to establish requirements and priorities for Community efforts; to develop and justify the National Foreign Intelligence Program (NFIP); and to protect sources and methods. Collateral responsibilities can be inferred, including planning, evaluation, and coordination.
The DCI also serves as Chairman of the NSC's Senior Interagency Group when it meets to consider intelligence matters. This committee addresses issues requiring interagency attention, deals with interdepartmental matters, and monitors the execution of approved intelligence policies and decisions.
