There is absolutely too much bad press regarding the United States National Security Agency. Should Americans assist in reducing bad press?

2015-06-05T03:42:01-04:00

The United States National Security Agency is America's finest agency. The National Security Agency enables Network Warfare operations to defeat terrorists and terrorist organizations national and abroad consistent with United States law. The NSA's Information Assurance mission confronts the formidable challenge of preventing foreign adversaries from gaining access to United States classified national security information. The National Security Agency gains a decision advantage for the nations National Command Authority and should maintain special authority to continue. The National Security Agency is a premier leader in the United States national defense effort. Americans should have greater acceptance of the NSA's global mission. Your thoughts?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 3:51 AM

2015-06-05T03:51:12-04:00

The NSA violates the 4th amendment of millions of Americans. I would hardly call that a fine agency.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 4:07 AM

2015-06-05T04:07:53-04:00

Why should the American public have a greater acceptance of the NSA violating the Bill of Rights?
I think it is a travesty that we have travelled as far as we have down the slippery slope.

Response by SFC Jason Porter made Jun 5 at 2015 4:24 AM

2015-06-05T04:24:31-04:00

9/11 didn't help...remember terrorism cannot be separated by an Ocean... In my opinion people are paranoid. I am sure my phone conversations are pretty boring. I hope they enjoy them.

Response by PO3 David Fries made Jun 5 at 2015 4:32 AM

2015-06-05T04:32:30-04:00

Constitution trumps all. Period.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 5:41 AM

2015-06-05T05:41:41-04:00

The people are not responsible for government's(NSA) misuse and abuse of power. Apparently they feel they are above the law. At least Rand temporarily stopped it.

Response by SSgt Lonnie Montgomery made Jun 5 at 2015 5:58 AM

2015-06-05T05:58:41-04:00

MAJ James H.

Sir,
This might not be the best forum or best time to bring this subject up but here is my personal take on it: The NSA along with the TSA has been given almost unbridled access to each person’s personal life in this country, citizen or not. The powers that be have and are still trying to circumvent our Constitution and Bill of Rights by playing this “terrorist” card. The last go around was if the Congress did not rubber stamp the re-newel of the Patriot Act we will have massive terrorist attacks. The US Constitution and our Bill of Rights should be restored as the law of the land. If there is a need to look into an individual or organization bring justification in front of a Federal Judge so a warrant can be issued with a name on it to execute.
On the subject of “foreign Adversaries” gaining access to our systems the NSA could very well get a leg up if they looked into the practices of our major bank cards. As it seems another major breach of our national systems has again happened exposing millions of everyday citizens personal information. We can secure our nation and our interest without surrendering our individual rights and way of life.

Response by SSG Sean Thoman made Jun 5 at 2015 6:34 AM

2015-06-05T06:34:58-04:00

No.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jun 5 at 2015 6:46 AM

2015-06-05T06:46:02-04:00

Simply put, "At what cost?"

I'm sure the NSA does a fine job. But Finest Agency is hyperbole at best. "Consistent with US Law" is stretching things even more. And what does "Special Authority" mean?

As for Premier Leader in the US National Defense effort? I am truly having a hard time not just mocking that. How does one defend against invisible threats, let alone become the premier leader at it?

The reason the NSA has bad press is because it was involved in a major "power grab" by the US Government. It overstepped its bounds, and it absolutely should have bad press. The People should be mad. The should not have any acceptance of any agency who even hints at things that are in violation of the Intent of the Constitution, let alone the Letter of it.

Using Legalese to bypass it is not an excuse, and therein lies the problem.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 6:59 AM

2015-06-05T06:59:35-04:00

The problem with the NSA is that it is an inherently secretive organization that operates under authorities that are classified. The normal US citizen can't simple just grab a handbook and see why the NSA does a particular thing and under what laws they derive their authority from. Since they can't see the laws, they can't vote a law maker out of office that wrote the law that grants the NSA the authority to do things that a citizen feels is wrong or in violation of their rights.

Often times, I think Americans would agree with a lot of what the NSA does if they knew the whole story and saw the results of x, y, or z. Unfortunately it is all classified and trust is all a person can do. For instance with the recently disclosed issue of the NSA obtaining massive amounts of personnel data. Americans don't know what was actually gleaned from it so they can't decide if the loss of privacy is worth the results.

At some point, people have to choose between lots of security, or privacy. The NSA loses faith with many Americans because all they know is their privacy was infringed upon and they can't weigh the sacrifice. Sure, there is an equal balance out there somewhere but again, even at an equal balance you sacrifice some level of security.

Response by MAJ Ron Peery made Jun 5 at 2015 7:29 AM

2015-06-05T07:29:22-04:00

You've had a long association with NSA, and your loyalty to your agency is commendable. You are obviously and intelligent man. Your language skills alone mark you as a scholar of note. I am sure that there are lots of things you have done for the US that are not listed here because of OPSEC concerns. But you are sadly lacking in understanding the psychology of your fellow Americans. You know, we don't much approve of things done in the shadows, especially when those actions involve us. NSA collection of "metadata" on all communications means, including communications by and between US citizens, is a hot button issue. I think we all know the rationale behind the program, but the majority of Americans disapprove of it. We see it as a violation of our 1st, 4th and 5th amendment rights. Spying on Americans in America is not acceptable. I think most people long ago realized that the Patriot Act was a badly written law, written and passed at haste during a time of national crisis. Now, in a time when ATF has been involved in illegal operations running guns into Mexico, the IRS has been involved in dirty tricks to suppress political speech, the FBI has been used to investigate people who oppose the current administration's policies, Homeland Security has failed to stop many small terrorist actions inside the US, and virtually every other government agency is involved in writing regulations which limit personal freedom in the US, why should we give the NSA acceptance? People these days do not trust the federal government. That's not because we are all undisciplined kooks. It's because the political hacks in charge of the government have proven they are not deserving of our trust. Even perfectly legitimate operations always need to be called into question. If we, the People, don't ride herd on our government, eventually we won't have any but theoretical rights. Sorry, MAJ Hill, but it is our duty to hold our government and its employees accountable.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 7:47 AM

2015-06-05T07:47:32-04:00

Back during the cold war, the statement 'its a matter of national security' was the cover all defense against breaches of privacy. Today its 'we're at war with terrorism'. Nothing has changed much except the technology that makes it easier to collect, analyze and store. The TSA? That's something new, inefficient, inept, unnecessary and more intrusive than a few spooks looking out for everyone's interest.

Response by SPC Don Stringer made Jun 5 at 2015 7:54 AM

2015-06-05T07:54:32-04:00

Personally, I do not understand how anyone calling themselves a American Citizen can work at federal agencies such as the NSA and sleep at night. That goes for the IRS and many other federal agencies who have turned into huge bullies and rights violators. I know the laws have all been bent or changed to permit the total warping and bending of civil liberties we once took for granted to be the bed rock of our society. There comes a day when a person needs to stand by their principles, even if t means turning down a lucrative job, QUITTING when asked to do
something improper, or becoming a whistle blower.
When I was a kid growing up in the 70's and 80's, we mocked the former Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact Satellite States for doing these things to it populations,now we have become what we loathed. What went wrong?

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jun 5 at 2015 8:09 AM

2015-06-05T08:09:08-04:00

I think that the press coverage is fair and the concept unwise. BUT I better not hear whining after the next terror attack. "The government didn't do enough to protect us". Reality bites sometimes.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Jun 5 at 2015 9:38 AM

2015-06-05T09:38:23-04:00

I am very happy to see some of the recent over reaches being addressed. No, I don't think the public has the responsibility to reduce bad press on these over reaches.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 5 at 2015 12:18 PM

2015-06-05T12:18:18-04:00

No. I think the NSA is very capable of taking care of themselves, and if not, what would we be able to do to help?

In truth, if there is any information out there about them, it was put out there by them.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 1:15 PM

2015-06-05T13:15:12-04:00

The NSA has provided vital intelligence for early warning and national security since it was created in 1952. But, that does not mean that the public has the responsibility to turn around bad press. That is the job of the DoD and the NSA, specifically.

What a lot of people do not understand is just how much protection it has and continues to provide to the war fighter.

You (generally speaking) should not attack something that you do not entirely understand.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 1:48 PM

2015-06-05T13:48:36-04:00

The National Security Agency serves and protects the American people. Bottom line. The mission of the National Security Agency is global and the agency is devoted to sound morals and values that enable it to protect American citizens from unnecessary intrusion as it performs a myriad of exotic functions contributing to the overall national security of the United States.

The stated mission of the National Security Agency is The National Security Agency/Central Security Service (NSA/CSS) leads the U.S. Government in cryptology that encompasses both Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) and Information Assurance (IA) products and services, and utilizes Computer Network Operations (CNO) in order to secure a decision advantage for our nations National Command Authority. The National Security Agency practices within five fundamental goals and nine core values;

The National Security Agency will continue to:

GOAL 1: Succeed in Today's Operations.
GOAL 2: Prepare for the Future
GOAL 3: Enhance and Lead an Expert Workforce.
GOAL 4: Implement Best Business Practices.
GOAL 5: Manifest Principled Performance.

National Security Agency Core Values:
We will protect national security interests by adhering to the highest standards of behavior:

Lawfulness – We will adhere to the spirit and the letter of the Constitution and the laws and regulations of the United States.

Honesty – We will be truthful with each other, and honor the public's need for openness, balanced against national security interests.

Integrity – We will behave honorably and apply good judgment as we would if our activities were under intense public scrutiny.

Fairness – We will ensure equal opportunity and fairness in Agency policies, programs, and practices.

Accountability – We will be accountable for our actions and take responsibility for our decisions, practicing wise stewardship of public resources and placing prudent judgment over expediency.

Loyalty – We will be loyal to the nation, the mission, and each other, weighing ideas solely on the merits and ensuring that decisions enjoy vigorous debate while being made, followed by unified implementation.

Collaboration – We will cooperate with others in a respectful and open-minded manner, to our mutual success.

Innovation – We will seek new ways to accomplish our mission, planning for the future based on what we've learned from the past, and thinking ahead to the best of our ability to avoid unintended consequences.

Learning – We will acquire and transfer knowledge, provide the resources and training necessary for our people to remain at the forefront of technology, and individually pursue continuous learning.

I do not confirm means nor methods of the National Security Agency to be intrusive nor unconstitutional. The National Security Agency adheres strictly to privacy right guidelines established by sound reasonable authority in the interest of protecting United States national security interests. The National Security Agency is sympathetic to the privacy right concerns of American citizens and has diligently enacted regulations that prevent the unnecessary exploitation of innocent American citizens. Your thoughts?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 2:24 PM

2015-06-05T14:24:03-04:00

This is what happens when there are people who think for themselves within an organization. I'm sure most employees and service members assigned and or credentialed by the NSA are upstanding, patriotic, law abiding people. I have quite a bit of experience working with the NSA and their assets, and I have always found them to be extremely good at what they do, and helpful in assisting me complete a mission.

But there are obviously some within the organization who have overstepped the line, whether ordered to by highers or on their own accord. That cannot be disputed, as the Snowden files speak for themselves. Now, the NSA as a whole has to deal with the consequences of some individual's or group's action. It is no different then the CIA having to deal with the torture reports. Not everyone who works in the CIA is involved with interrogations, but the entire agency took a hit.

From a PR standpoint, I think it wise for the agency to not engage. Let the politicians handle it, as that is part of the job. The stories and press are going to run as they will, and people will be up in arms, then relax. If you look at the trend of "leaks", there is a release, the news cycle runs its course, people calm down some, then there is another release.

It's also obvious the agency as a whole needs to do some house cleaning. The goals and values are fine, and I'm sure more employees than not support them. I'm also sure there are plenty of people within the agency who feel working in the gray area and sidestepping some of those values in order to protect the greater good is warranted. That is not for me to decide. Grey is made from black and white, so the fallout of working there is the separation of the sides, and will viewed as black and white.

Response by CW2 Stephen Pate made Jun 5 at 2015 7:28 PM

2015-06-05T19:28:00-04:00

Sure Sir, give me a job in that file any day! I'm just a mechanic but I wish I would've known more about jobs in the army when I joined. As far as intelligence goes I don't quite trust your picture or your profile Sir....how are you unverified and in the top 5%? Also, your picture looks fake. See! I would be great at intelligence!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 8:12 PM

2015-06-05T20:12:43-04:00

The NSA is America's finest agency? The same one that illegally did bulk wiretaps on every American citizen, spied on ex boy/girlfriends, and spent millions of dollars of their bloated budget on dance videos? The same one that in fourteen years of the patriot act, has thwarted zero terrorist plots?

I don't think "finest" and "useless" are synonyms.

Response by SGT Chip Hutchings made Jun 5 at 2015 10:23 PM

2015-06-05T22:23:00-04:00

Maybe it is because the average American does not truly know the mission of the NSA. I found out more about the NSA in your short blurb then I knew before. That being said they may be doing many great things to keep our way of life safe but at the cost of violating the rights of the people it is trying to protect.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 10:39 PM

2015-06-05T22:39:33-04:00

No... why should we run interference for an agency that could be spying on us.... get real.

Response by SFC Rollie Hubbard made Jun 6 at 2015 12:07 AM

2015-06-06T00:07:20-04:00

I think that this a great subject to be placed on here, that said I believe that the government as a whole has trampled the right of the american citizens.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2015 12:56 AM

2015-06-06T00:56:26-04:00

Americans should understand the fact that the National Security Agency is not a rogue element of the United States government acting beyond its due authority upon the American people. NSA’s collection authorities stem from two key sources; Executive Order 12333 and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA). The President of the United States, his national security team, and their staffs, through the National Intelligence Priorities Framework, provide externally developed and validated intelligence requirements to the NSA. NSA's collection effort fulfills requirements levied by the United States executive branch. NSA is not a animal without a leash.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 7 at 2015 3:26 AM

2015-06-07T03:26:52-04:00

Executive Orders be damned. What the NSA and Patriot Act did/does are a clear-cut violation of the Fourth and possibly Fifth Amendment(s).

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2015 6:40 PM

2015-06-07T18:40:45-04:00

This sounds like a propaganda device. Surely the agency has done some great things but I think I would like a succinct and unequivocal response to my questions. Most of the time your answers could be typed from a book or a set of talking points or bullets.

The question is simple. Does bulk gathering of information mean that the government is spying on people and then using that information for political purposes? We have also see the dodgy work with regards to the IRS and their targetting Tea Party members and other right-leaning groups. How can the NSA convince citizens that there are not these nefarious plots to undo the constitution by virtue of internecine agendas?

Response by SGT Anthony Bussing made Jun 7 at 2015 6:50 PM

2015-06-07T18:50:50-04:00

has anyone else ever noticed how much NSA looks like Ka'Ba?

Response by SFC Paul Schwindeller made Jun 8 at 2015 5:10 AM

2015-06-08T05:10:57-04:00

However this agency has on several occasions over stepped it's bounds and must be eternally monitored

Response by SGT Alexander Hildenbrandt made Jun 8 at 2015 1:15 PM

2015-06-08T13:15:31-04:00

Most have no understanding of the world around them, especially the world of intelligence and collection to keep our country in the standing it is. Does the country want protection? yes it does. At what point should the voting mass have any effect on the optimization, readiness and conduct of our military apart from what is already in place? our governing bodies have the "go" or "no go" ability to release the military. Internal collection and security efforts are no different. The press should but does not display blatant fact. People don't like it when that's what they hear because there is no spin or side to take. CSPAN is great but few watch. People in general should have the ability to see the resources that truly keep them safe and pay more attention to boards and committees that regulate the actions of those departments if they truly take strong interest rather than playing to the ratings of demoralizing mainstream news stories.

For most Americans I assume it is fear that drives their ability to perceive an agency like the NSA as having the ability it does. If I am not mistaken, that's why these kinds of things were classified at one point. Leekers Like Snowden kick off these trends. I do believe that the hysteria will die out over time as the American people see no affect on their lives. In short, no one should do anything. People who have direct need to know are making appropriate decisions and their is oversight. Let the media channels continue their rants from mountain tops because in the end they only destroy their credibility with smart people who actually have an effect on society.

Response by SFC Jeff L. made Jun 8 at 2015 3:45 PM

2015-06-08T15:45:23-04:00

I suppose it depends on your definition of "bad." Shedding light on the NSA's activities as it pertains to universal data-mining, monitoring, collecting, and storing of all electronic communications is not "bad press" in my opinion. I have to wonder how knowledge of my personal emails or my responses to RP discussions enhances national security.

I have to also wonder how they earned the distinction of "America's finest agency." Given the dubious nature of their recent activities I think it's hardly appropriate, unless by "finest" you mean "most meticulous." As in going over every communique with a fine-toothed comb. Not to mention the several reports coming down the wire that assert not one single terror plot was stopped by the use of this collection and monitoring in spite of ample online evidence and traffic. One wonders what they may be up to if their anti-terror efforts seem to be so ineffective.

Response by SFC Jeff L. made Jun 9 at 2015 7:43 AM

2015-06-09T07:43:48-04:00

COL Private RallyPoint Member Do you currently work at the NSA? Your profile indicates that to be the case. I suspected as much given your fervor in making the case that they are "America's finest agency." I can appreciate your pride in your unit, but given the things the NSA has been doing to our citizens I wonder if you can appreciate the negative reputation they've deservedly garnered. Whether or not they get their marching orders from above there should still be people with enough intestinal fortitude to say "Enough!"

People understand that we need good, dedicated professionals to monitor, engage, and defeat terrorism in the cyber world. What people do not understand is how that involves the monitoring, collecting, and then storing of their every communication. Once upon a time citizens had a reasonable expectation of privacy which included their persons, papers, and affects. With the proliferation of the internet and social media we understand that anything we put online is possibly subject to someone else's interception. However, that someone should not be our own government purposefully spying on its citizens!

How does monitoring, collecting, and storing my text messages, emails, phone calls, and any other means of communication enhance your ability to fight the war on terror? Why isn't it enough to limit yourselves to people actually suspected of terrorist activities, get approval from a FISA court, and then suspend or increase activities as evidence is either gained or no wrong doing established?

Major, you can cheerlead for the NSA all you want, but they've shredded the Bill of Rights to make pom-poms for you.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2015 9:54 AM

2015-06-10T09:54:37-04:00

Who has really been affected by NSA data collection? They aren't listening to phone calls between old ladies - they are tracking numbers right? Seriously, has anyone been jailed or hindered in anyway? If the response is "we'll never know" -then good, that's kind of the job of NSA/CIA/security/spies.

I don't really think what the NSA has done with data mining is right - and I'm yet to see any real proof it's stopped enemies, but what bad has it done besides give news casters another way to make the common man fearful of big brother or a powerful government defending them? Does that really violate the Bill of Rights anyways? Are we really being unreasonably searched? (They got 'caught' tracking numbers with FISA warrants - and yes, FISA's legitimacy is clearly lacking as they basically approve anything. Nonetheless, they are legal warrants under our current system). If China or whomever is tracking and hacking our data, should we monitor ourselves to know what they are looking for? I know it's probably a minority opinion - and probably sounds like I am pro-NSA ease dropping- couldn't be further from the truth. But what harm has really been done here?

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2015 1:10 PM

2015-06-10T13:10:42-04:00

Some of the finest people at America's finest agency. Graduation day at the National Cryptologic School Cryptologic Skills course.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 28 at 2015 1:01 PM

2015-06-28T13:01:38-04:00

I have often heard the saying, fight like the enemy. However, some consider NSAs tactics as intrusive to society. I really don't know how to find an acceptable balance.