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Defense Clandestine Service

The Defense Clandestine Service (DCS) is an arm of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA),[3] which conducts clandestine espionage, intelligence gathering activities and classified operations around the world to provide insights and answer national-level defense objectives for senior U.S. policymakers and American military leaders. Staffed by civilian and military personnel, DCS is part of DIA's Directorate of Operations and works in conjunction with the Central Intelligence Agency's Directorate of Operations and the U.S. military's Joint Special Operations Command. DCS consists of about 500 clandestine operatives,[1] which is roughly how many case officers the CIA had in the early 2000s before its expansion.[4]

Not to be confused with National Clandestine Service.

Agency overview

  • Defense Human Intelligence Service

c. 500[1]

Contrary to some public and media misunderstanding, DCS is not a "new" intelligence agency but rather a consolidation, expansion and realignment of existing Defense HUMINT activities, which have been carried out by DIA for decades under various names, most recently as the Defense Human Intelligence Service.[5]

In popular culture[edit]

The Equalizer (2014) stars Denzel Washington in the eponymous role as a former black ops operative for the DIA's Defense Clandestine Service (DCS).


The Brave (2017–2018) is an American military action drama television series about the DIA's Defense Clandestine Service (DCS).


Gemini Man is a 2019 American science fiction action thriller film directed by Ang Lee starring Will Smith as a black ops agent in the DSC.

Directorate of Operations (CIA)