About this Unit
The Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) is the United States Navy's premier intelligence agency, established in 1882, making it the oldest member of the U.S. Intelligence Community. Originally founded to advance naval readiness by collecting information on foreign naval capabilities, ONI played a pivotal role in both World Wars by providing critical intelligence on enemy fleets and maritime operations. Throughout the Cold War, the office expanded its focus to include Soviet naval movements and technological advancements. Today, ONI supports global maritime operations by delivering timely intelligence, analysis, and assessments to the Navy and other national security partners.
Historical Facts
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Oldest U.S. Intelligence Organization: The Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) was established in 1882, making it the oldest member of the United States Intelligence Community.
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Founded to Counter Naval Threats: ONI was created partly in response to the growing naval power of European nations and concerns that the U.S. Navy was falling behind technologically.
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First Chief was a Civil War Veteran: The first head of ONI was Lieutenant Theodorus Bailey Myers Mason, a Civil War veteran tasked with gathering foreign naval intelligence.
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Early Espionage Missions: In its formative years, ONI sent officers abroad undercover to gather blueprints, ship specifications, and even spy on shipyards in Europe and Asia.
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Role in World War I: During WWI, ONI was key in counter-espionage against German spies and saboteurs, and in monitoring shipping to prevent enemy submarines from attacking U.S. and Allied vessels.
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Women in ONI: During World War II, ONI recruited a significant number of women, known as "Code Girls," to assist in cryptanalysis and intelligence processing.
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Contributions to Cryptography: ONI played a leading role in the development of early U.S. codebreaking efforts, including cooperation with other services in breaking Japanese naval codes before and during WWII.
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Hollywood Connections: The founder of the Motion Picture Association of America, Will H. Hays, was a wartime consultant to ONI, helping produce naval training and propaganda films.
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The "Black Chamber": In the interwar period, ONI worked closely with the Army's "Black Chamber" (MI-8), the first U.S. peacetime cryptanalytic organization.
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Modern Missions: Today, ONI provides intelligence on foreign naval capabilities, technological developments, and maritime security threats, supporting both strategic and tactical operations worldwide.
