Rusk veteran shares intelligence

As citizens pause July 4 to celebrate the nation's birth, one Rusk man will quietly reflect on a Naval career spanning 20 years that involved some of the country's deepest secrets.

Retired Naval Intelligence officer ISCS Charles Mc- Cullough, a member of the Rusk Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 3406, is proud of the time he spent in the military. A Q&A with ISCS McCullough follows:

How does intelligence gathering change over a period of time?

The 20 years that I was involved in intelligence was overwhelming. This was a great and rewarding career. I have served in many foreign countries, as well as throughout the United States. Navy Intelligence is a dynamic and demanding field. It is at the forefront of today's challenges to national security ranging from global war on terrorism to countering emerging regional threats.

How do you define "intelligence?"

Intelligence is knowledge based on collection and analysis of an adversary's strengths, weaknesses, capabilities and intentions. Such knowledge can be a key to conducting successful U.S. military operations.

What makes a good intelligence officer?

The Naval community expects the highest level of performance and dedication from its people. Naval intelligence personnel provide this performance through tactical, operational and strategic intelligence to support U. S. Naval forces, as well as joint and multi-national military forces and executive-level decision makers in the national government.

What are some of the areas of responsibility for an intelligence officer?

Naval intelligence is responsible for counter-terrorism, operational, imagery and human intelligence, as well as tactical support to naval strike forces, intelligence support to SEALs and Special Forces. Naval personnel are involved in intelligence collection management, scientific and technical analysis, regional, cultural and linguistic analysis, civil maritime intelligence and geopolitical country analysis.

Is being an intelligence officer anything like what we read in books and see in the movies?

Naval intelligence is a specialist field. We do what you read about in books and magazines. If you see an operation going down on television, it is assured that Joint Intelligence was involved.

What about the technology involved in intelligence?

Naval intelligence personnel work in state of the art facilities. We use advance systems and analysis techniques, to include tactical and space based imagery, high speed computers, multilevel radars, acoustic sensors and electronic systems.

How important are the contributions of an intelligence officer?

There are many things in life that contribute to your overall success. I consider the naval intelligence program one of them.

Intel is set up to provide great support to our nation and the Intel staff also. If you have a two-year college degree or better, no arrest records and good character, you may become part of our organization.

What does life after the military hold for you?

I operate Lone Star Athletic Design in Palestine. My wife, Sheila, is a sixth grade science teacher at Rusk Junior High School. We split our time between Rusk and Palestine.

As part of an ongoing series by Frank Bowden, the Cherokeean Herald salutes veterans and spotlights individuals who served their country.