WHAT'S NEW ON THIS SITE? JUST CLICK ON THE PAGE (in blue)
MC&G Career Officer Steve Pedone Joins NGIAA
Kazanjians Visit Dick Dornbrock
Our History/Member Contributions- NGIAA Members' Impact on Cold War
WE HAVE CHANGED OUR NAME
Since its establishment in 1980, DMCA saw the organizations from which it draws membership reorganize, realign, downsize, relocate, and even change names. The last is the most significant in that it can disassociate our membership from their roots. Too, the name of the organization is what attracts a person to become a part of the group and to identify with its purpose and goals.
DMCA had its beginnings in the Defense Intelligence Agency Mapping and Charting (DIAMC) Directorate, the functions of which were transferred to the Headquarters of the newly established Defense Mapping Agency (HQ DMA) in 1972. As members of the former DIAMC and HQ DMA began retiring, they formed an alumni group to serve as a vehicle for continuing social contact. So long as DMA represented the core of the Defense Mapping, Charting & Geodesy program, the name of our Association, Defense Mapping and Charting Alumni, was appropriate. In 1996, the Agency’s name was changed to the National Imagery and Mapping Agency, as its mission was expanded. Subsequently, the name was again changed to reflect its changing mission to National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.
Accordingly, the DMCA Executive Board proposed a name change to its membership and a suggested a new name, the National Geospatial/Intelligence Alumni Association (NGIAA). The name change was put to a referendum in November 2007 and endorsed by the great majority of the members voting. The proposed change took effect on January 1, 2008.
In keeping with the change of the Agency’s name, mission, and indeed workforce, the name of the Association better reflects its connection to employees and retirees of its primary source of new members, as well as its awareness of the technological changes having taken place in the career fields it represents. As the Agency’s workforce changes, name recognition for reaching those contemplating retirement is important.