Department of Defense
INSTRUCTION
NUMBER 3115.12 NUMBER 3115.12
August 24, 2010 August 24, 2010
USD(I) USD(I)
SUBJECT: Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) SUBJECT: Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)
References: See Enclosure 1 References: See Enclosure 1
1. PURPOSE1. PURPOSE. This Instruction:
a. Establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and prescribes procedures for OSINT
operations within the Department of Defense in accordance with the authority in DoD Directive
(DoDD) 5143.01 (Reference (a)) and responsibilities pursuant to DoDD 5105.21 (Reference (b)).
b. Incorporates and cancels Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence (USD(I))
Memorandum (Reference (c)).
c. Conforms to and is consistent with the law and Presidential guidance concerning the
authorities and responsibilities of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) according to Public
Law 108-458 (Reference (d)), Executive Order 12333 (Reference (e)), and Intelligence
Community Directive (ICD) 301 (Reference (f)).
d. Establishes the DoD Open Source Council (DOSC) as the primary governance mechanism
for DoD OSINT.
2. APPLICABILITY
. This Instruction applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of
the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the
Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD
Field Activities, and all other organizational entities within the Department of Defense (hereafter
referred to collectively as the “DoD Components”).
3. DEFINITIONS. See Glossary.
