Pros
Get to serve your country. Get to work in national security.
Cons
The following is a personal statement based off collective employees' first hand experiences, and not on behalf of the the Department of Defense or US Government: DIA is a toxic agency. Like the mafia, corrupt and unethical especially at the mid level and senior leadership, mainly 13-15s/SES'. DIA fosters an abusive culture and prides itself with a hypocritical creed. Backroom deals are made by people with "authority" in "leadership" roles that negatively affect the hiring process, any kind of accountability procedures from reported unethical practices, morale, and day to day operations. DIA has something called "Partners in Resolution" that is meant to offer resources (OIG, OMBUDS, EAP, EEO, Anti-Harassment) to help employees report different kinds of injustices. Ultimately, these offices either have no power to hold anyone accountable, to help you in any way, and run corrupt investigations that favor the employer and never the employee. They want you to report so they can figure out how to help themselves, not you. Employees spend a great amount of time securely filing relevant documents and writing Memorandums for Record (MFRs) as evidence to the unethical, sometimes criminal, and unprofessional behavior experienced, instead of spending time doing their actual job. Despite employees providing evidence, there is no accountability. And in addition to this, employees face retaliation, to include RUMINT started by the retaliators to discredit the employee. Many people who work at DIA believe they are "in the field" and pathetically try to run mini "ops" to hurt others they do not like, or fear will reveal their unethical practices. While pathetic, allegations at DIA can lead to criminal investigations, and due to the sensitivity of the work and the responsibility of holding a clearance, can cause an employee dire stress and serious life-threatening consequences. If the employee is not cautious and constantly paranoid in order to protect themselves, DIA can and is willing to ruin you (just like a mafia). DIA fosters a hostile environment where junior employees learn survival of the fittest, instead of habits and practices for an honorable national security career professional. DIA says they want you to serve your country, but some believe DIA wants you to be exploited and to make you fear them to discourage reporting against them. Those who are weak, come in with no values, or do not know how to stand up for themselves, turn into toxic junior officers and eventually toxic "leaders" 13-15s. In the desire to serve, be cautious to not get caught up in an abusive work environment, who ultimately treats you like a dispensable tool, where you can't grow professionally, and you are negatively affected. Real statement: We don't care if they don't like it here and they quit, there are many young people begging to be hired and we will just pull the next person from the hiring pool.
