What is the Association of Former Intelligence Officers?
AFIO is a non-profit, non-political, educational association of former intelligence professionals and supporters, incorporated in Virginia in 1975, and recognized as a tax exempt organization under IRS code para 501 (c) (3).
AFIO's educational focus is on fostering understanding of the vital importance and role of US intelligence in historic, contemporary and future contexts. This includes supporting US policy and decision makers, diplomacy, strategy, security and defense. In addition, AFIO focuses on understanding the critical need for effective counterintelligence and security against foreign, political, technological or economic espionage, as well as, lawfully authorized clandestine actions and covert, terrorist or criminal operations threatening US security, the national infrastructure, or corporate and individual safety.
Since foreign intelligence, counterintelligence and covert activities are necessarily conducted in secrecy - an ever-present silent war - education on the vital need for effective institutions conducting US intelligence and counterintelligence operations is a challenging, necessary and important mission. As Richard Deacon noted in his History of British Intelligence, A great Power without an efficient intelligence service is doomed; that has been the lesson from the heyday of Troy to the present.
AFIO is an association of people with active intellectual lives, many of whom have participated - or are participating - in events of historic significance, and who have played roles of leadership and high distinction, dedicated to worthy principles and objectives. AFIO members include primarily individuals from US Government Departments, but also State and local government, corporate or private professionals and supporters.
Aside from a small professional staff and central office, the AFIO organization and its chapters throughout the country is run by volunteers who donate their time and talents to the cause of furthering AFIO's objectives and enjoy the fellowship of professional colleagues and supporters.
HONORARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Co-Chairmen:
The Honorable George H. W. Bush
The Honorable Gerald R. Ford
Mr. John Barron
The Hon. Shirley Temple Black
The Hon. Frank C. Carlucci
Dr. Ruth M. Davis
Amb. Richard Helms
Adm. Bobby R. Inman, USN (Ret)
Professor Ernest May
Mr. John Anson Smith
The Hon. William H. Webster
The Hon. R. James Woolsey
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Lt. Gen Lincoln D. Faurer, USAF (Ret), Chairman
Mr. E. Peter Earnest, Vice Chairman
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Maj. Gen. Edward B. Atkeson, USA (Ret)
Mr. Charles A. Briggs
Mr. Samuel Halpern
RADM Donald P. Harvey, USN (Ret)
Professor Robert J. Heibel
Mr. Henry E. Hockeimer
Mr. H. Frederick Hutchinson
Mr. William T. Kvetkas
Mr. Donald Larrabee
Mrs. Mary McCausland
RADM Donald H. McDowell, USN (Ret)
Paul J. Redmond
Mr. Theodore G. Shackley
Thomas R. Spencer, Jr., Esq.
Maj. Gen. Jack E. Thomas, USAF (Ret)
Mr. John H. Waller
Mr. Ralph E. Weber
Julia B. Wetzel
LTG James A. Williams, USA (Ret)
Lt Gen C. Norman Wood, USAF (Ret)
OFFICERS:
President
Mr. S. Eugene Poteat, CIA SIS/S&T (Ret)
Sr. Vice President
Lt Gen Edward J. Heinz, USAF (Ret)
Executive Director
Col. Roy K. Jonkers
Director of Administration and
Secretary of the Association
Mrs. Gretchen Campbell
Director, Information Systems & Publications
Elizabeth Bancroft
Vice Presidents
RADM Don H. McDowell, USN (Ret)
Mr. C. Emerson Cooper
Chairman, Endowment Funds and
Fund Raising
Mr. Albano F. Ponte
AFIO members subscribe to the values of patriotism, excellence, integrity, dedication and loyalty represented by the active intelligence establishment of the United States engaged in the execution of national policies and the advancement and defense of the vital interests and security of the country, its citizens, and its allies.
AFIO's principal objective is to foster understanding by intellectual, political and business community leaders and the general public of the continuing need for a strong and responsible national intelligence/counterintelligence establishment to deal with a variety of short and long-term threats and issues in the current world environment and the new Information Age. Within this context AFIO stresses education on the need for effective long-term intelligence strategies and capabilities to support national decisionmakers and to guard against surprise.
AFIO seeks to implement its objectives by conducting programs to:
contribute balance and expert insight into the public and media discourses on intelligence-related issues;
support educational courses, seminars, symposia and research on intelligence and counterintelligence topics;
promote public understanding of intelligence and counterintelligence roles, needs and functions;
encourage the exchange of information among intelligence professionals;
promote the study of the history and current role of US intelligence
Specific programs are conducted within the following framework:
Publications
AFIO Weekly Intelligence Notes - email weekly commentaries on intelligence issues
AFIO Periscope - periodical - printed commentary, speeches, articles on intelligence
AFIO Intelligencer - periodical with book reviews and articles by/for intelligence scholars
AFIO Monographs - concise discussions of a specific intelligence issue.
AFIO Homepage - organizational material and updates, references to AFIO publications, data base resource.
Conferences
National Convention, Symposia, Seminars and Workshops
AFIO mini symposia - luncheon speakers (Washington DC area)
AFIO Chapter meetings and conferences (Chapters located throughout the US)
Media Support
Participation in TV, radio, and printed news media discussions.
Academic Support & Outreach
The Institute for Intelligence Education
The Harold P. Ransburg Memorial Education Agenda
AFIO videos, audio tapes and printed material for high school and college use
Tuition scholarships
Meritorious educational awards for students and instructors.
Development of an overview course on intelligence & counterintelligence
AFIO Support to (180) professors teaching intelligence and intelligence-related courses, including a syllabus file
AFIO research support - book reviews, references and publications
Community Outreach
AFIO Speaker's Bureau - AFIO speakers for community associations & events.
AFIO media support
Corporate Support
Area expertise support as needed
Threat awareness and counterintelligence education
Networking
Job placement support
Member Support
AFIO publications, conferences and meetings
Networking & social/collegial interaction
Volunteer opportunities on behalf of AFIO objectives
Participation in AFIO Chapter activities country-wide
Awards, recognition and participation in a worthy cause
Employment Support
Tuition Scholarships
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Central Intelligence Agency
Book Published By CSI Wins Award
The International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts (IALEIA) has selected Psychology of Intelligence Analysis, by Richards J. Heuer, Jr., as the winner of its award for "Most Significant Contribution to the Literature of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysis." Mr. Heuer, a CIA retiree, completed this widely applauded book in 1999. He wrote it under a contract with the CIA’s Center for the Study of Intelligence (CSI). IALEIA’s Executive Director, Howard Atkin, in nominating Heuer’s book for this award last February, praised its "informative yet readable style [in] reviewing . . . natural thinking processes, . . . linking these to useful mental ‘thinking tools’ for analysts, and rounding off with an examination of bias and its potential impact upon analytical thought processes."
In seconding the nomination, another recognized authority in law enforcement intelligence, author-lecturer-educator Marilyn B. Peterson, observed that although Mr. Heuer was "writing from an international point of view," she saw in his work "a lot of applicability for law enforcement intelligence in the concepts and methodologies he espouses. In fact," she added, "I immediately began blending some of his lessons into the basic intelligence analysis course that I was teaching in New Jersey and for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and I made sure that anyone who would listen would learn about this marvelous book."
Originally recruited in 1951 by future DCI Richard Helms, Mr. Heuer worked for the CIA for about 45 years, first as a career officer and then as a post-retirement contractor. He served in both the operations and analytic directorates (DO and DI). While in the DI, he led a unit that did groundbreaking work on analytical methods. Dick Heuer has received several prestigious awards over the years for his innovative work. In addition to Psychology of Intelligence Analysis, he has written and published books and articles on other aspects of the intelligence discipline. He is currently working as a consultant for the Defense Personnel Security Research Center in Monterey, California. IALEIA Executive Director Atkin also nominated CSI for a separate award for its roles in introducing innovative analytical approaches, in providing "tactical/strategic analysis coverage to areas not previously served or served inadequately," and in achieving "outstanding editorial presentation."
Mr. Heuer’s book is available on CSI’s Internet Website at
The "Grapevine" Magazine
The Grapevine Publication The Official Publication of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI, Inc.
The Grapevine Staff - Editor: Donald C. Witham and Team
Chapter Publications - Some Chapters have their Own Newsletters
the Grapevine
Official Publication of the Society
The Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI
the Grapevine, the Society's official word, is published monthly. This interesting magazine has been called the heartline of the Society and the "glue that keeps the organization together."
This magazine, generally from 40-60 pages in length, reports on the Society's activities across the country. This includes regional conventions and national conventions, chapter meetings and get-togethers, members achievements and awards, historical articles, and many photographs of ex-agents in action. It includes monthly articles on investments, family assistance, health programs and obituaries.
Publication in the Grapevine is open to all members and all members are encouraged to submit articles and photos on a continuing basis.
All submissions for publication in the Grapevine should be sent to: Editor, the Grapevine PO BOX 1027, Quantico, VA 22134-1027. This is necessary in order to avoid the confusion of duplicate submissions and the problems they present in the production schedule.
Any material that you want to be returned- photos, manuscripts, documents, etc., must be accompanied by a stamped self-addressed envelope (SSAE). the Grapevine will not return any material unless return is specifically requested and the SSAE accompanies.
This and similar information will appear in future issues under the Editor's Notes column. Articles can also be faxed to Editor Donald C. Witham at 703-640-6537 or e-mailed to socxfbi@socxfbi.org
