[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 97 (Tuesday, June 26, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4631-S4632]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO THE U.S. ARMY INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY

  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, it is my distinct privilege to honor the 
outstanding men and women who have made lasting contributions to U.S. 
Army Intelligence over the years. On July 1, 2012, MG Gregg C. Potter, 
commanding general of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence 
and Fort Huachuca, will officially recognize the 50th anniversary of 
the founding of the Military Intelligence Branch and the 25th 
anniversary of the Military Intelligence Corps at Fort Huachuca, AZ. 
This is a momentous occasion, and I congratulate all Army intelligence 
professionals--soldiers and civilians alike--on these distinguished 
achievements.
  Timely and accurate intelligence information has always been critical 
to the success of our Armed Forces on the battlefield. Across all 
intelligence disciplines, Army intelligence professionals have 
collected, analyzed, and supplied this vital information to commanders 
at all levels--from the tactical to the strategic. The intelligence 
information they supplied has directly contributed to winning our 
Nation's wars and to saving lives. Army Intelligence professionals have 
carried out this mission with great courage, devotion, and skill since 
we declared our independence 236 years ago. We recognize this legacy 
and look forward to Army intelligence's continued success and service 
to our country in the future.
  Two critical events shaped the Military Intelligence Corps into the 
organization that exists today.
  On July 1, 1962, the Secretary of the Army signed a general order 
authorizing the creation of the Army Intelligence and Security Branch. 
With this authorization, all Army intelligence soldiers, including 
regular Army and Reserve officers, were placed into a distinct branch. 
It ended the practice of detailing officers from other branches into 
intelligence positions and facilitated the professionalization of the 
intelligence field. By establishing a branch equal to all others, the 
Army recognized the critical importance of military intelligence.
  On July 1, 1987, the Military Intelligence Corps was activated at 
Fort Huachuca. With the activation of the Corps, all Army intelligence 
professionals, regardless of their discipline, were symbolically bound 
together into one unified organization under the U.S. Army Regimental 
System. Since its activation, the unity of purpose and mission of the 
Military Intelligence Corps has remained vital to the success of the 
Army.
  Today, the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence at Fort 
Huachuca is the home of military intelligence. Every year, the center 
trains approximately 20,000 students in the intelligence field, 
including initial military training, professional military education 
courses for all ranks and intelligence specialties, mobile training 
teams, and foreign military students.
  I am immensely proud of the men and women in the U.S. Army 
intelligence community. They work tirelessly to protect our Nation and 
deserve our deepest gratitude for the sacrifices they have made. As 
indicated by their motto ``Always Out Front,'' Military intelligence 
will remain a critical element of the readiness of our Armed Forces.

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  Again, congratulations on this proud occasion.

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