Department of Defense
INSTRUCTION
NUMBER 3115.15
December 6, 2011
USD(I)
SUBJECT: Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT)
References: See Enclosure 1
1. PURPOSE
. This Instruction:
a. Establishes policies, assigns responsibilities, and provides guidance for GEOINT
operations within the DoD in accordance with the authority in DoD Directive (DoDD) 5143.01
(Reference (a)) and DoDD 5105.60 (Reference (b)).
b. Incorporates and cancels DoD Instruction (DoDI) 5210.52 (Reference (c)).
c. Conforms to and is consistent with law and Executive order, including the authorities and
responsibilities of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) in section 403 of title 50, United
States Code (Reference (d)) and Executive Order 12333 (Reference (e)).
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 DoD, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and
all other organizational entities in the Department of Defense (hereinafter referred to collectively
as the “DoD Components”).
3. DEFINITIONS. See Glossary.
4. POLICY
. It is DoD policy that:
a. GEOINT operations and activities shall be treated as high priority efforts and conducted in
a unified and synchronized manner, due to the vital role GEOINT plays in the successful conduct
of military operations and activities, in executing the mission of the DoD, and in supporting
national security.
