The Listening Post focuses on the experiences of women in the national security space. This new column is a collection of stories, interviews, and profiles of women who have pioneered change, exhibited strength and inspired others.
We recently spoke with INSA Chair and former Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Tish Long about her career and her journey from aspiring college student to becoming the fifth chairman of the INSA Board of Directors. Long also served as director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) from October 2010 to October 2014. She was the first woman to lead a major U.S. intelligence agency. She currently sits on the boards of Raytheon Company Noblis Inc., and Urthecast Corporation.
The Cipher Brief: How did you get your start in the national security community?
Long: I attended Virginia Tech (Go Hokies!) and studied electrical engineering. My parents said I could go to any school I wanted to, as long as I paid my own way. In order to do that, I needed to work. I applied for and was accepted into the Co-Operative Education Program. It is an internship program on steroids. The program alternates semesters of full-time work and full-time study and it takes five years to get a four-year degree. I went to work for the Navy at David Taylor Research Center in Annapolis, MD. Every semester I was at David Taylor, I worked on some aspect of research for various submarine programs and that got me interested in national security. My Dad and three of my brothers were career analysts at the National Security Agency and that also influenced me.
The Cipher Brief:Tell us about your first job.
Long: My first job after college was back at David Taylor Research Center – this time at the main lab in Carderock, MD. I was part of a team that built Acoustic Intelligence (ACINT) collection systems for submarines. Naval Intelligence was the customer of the data. I enjoyed being a part of a team and I enjoyed the design, installation and test of the systems. However, what interested me more was meeting with the users to learn how the systems worked for them, what they were lacking and how we could improve them. Eventually, my interest turned to how the data itself was being used by Naval Intelligence. After that first job, I moved next to Naval Intelligence to run those very ACINT programs I initially worked on.
The Cipher Brief: Who were the people early on who inspired you and why?
Long: My parents inspired me. They both started work at the Armed Forces Security Agency, the predecessor to NSA. They raised 8 kids. My Mom worked up until child #4 and then became a full-time mother. They are why I chose public service.
I had a high school guidance counselor, Carole Harding, who inspired me to study engineering. I always thought I would be a math teacher – I loved both math and science in school. Ms. Harding suggested engineering. Not really knowing what engineering entailed, she set up meetings for me with several local engineers – this is the late 70s mind you – and I never looked back.
Lastly, my first bosses, Gary Jebsen and Joe O’Donnell, were mentors and sponsors long before we ever talked about sponsors. They made sure I had the same opportunities as my male counterparts. I was the only woman in my office and when it came time to run my own program, which entailed going to sea on a submarine in 1983, they made it happen.
The Cipher Brief: Was there ever a mid-career moment when you realized that you needed to change your mind set about something in order to be more successful?
There were multiple moments throughout my career where I changed. One was the first time I heard someone say, “work smarter not harder”. I spent far too much time at work – not because I felt I had to be there to prove anything, I loved what I was doing. I realized I was not being a good role model for those who worked for me. I am sure several of my folks felt they had to be there before the boss arrived and after I went home, even though I told folks that was not what I expected. Funny, how when I started leaving earlier, so did others.
Another ah-ha moment came when I learned networking really was part of the job. I didn’t enjoy networking early in my career, so I didn’t do much of it. I am not sure when I learned that it is not only what you know, but who you know. I don’t mean that in the sense of the “old boys’ network.” I mean that as you expand your network, you have more people to call on for help and ideas. Most men have long understood the power and purpose of networking, many women have been a little late to the game. Today, I am so proud to be a part of AWIC – the Amazing Women of the Intelligence Community. We are all about networking – and helping one another be as successful as we can be.
The Cipher Brief: What are some of the stumbling blocks that exist for women in national security today and what can they do about them?
Long: It is still (a bit of) a man’s world. As I mentioned, men are very good at networking and women are still learning the importance of networking. It is part of the job. You need to get out there. If you are not comfortable, take a friend.
Another issue is having our voice heard. We used to say that it was so important to “have a seat at the table”. That is not enough. We also have to have a voice at the table. A recent BYU study shows that there are still biases and cultural norms that prevent women from being heard. One way to be heard is to have a majority of women in the room. That is often not feasible based on our numbers. What you can do is to have an ally in the room. A woman – or even better, a man, who will repeat – and emphasize your good points. For all the men reading this article, you can have such a profound impact when you take on the ally role. I commend this article on the study for all to read.
The Cipher Brief: How has the national security space and mission changed over the course of your career?
Long: A number of changes come to mind. Even though I talk about stumbling blocks for women, there are definitely more women in leadership positions today than when I started my career. We need to ensure those numbers continue to grow. It would be nice if the number of women in National Security reflected the number of women in the work force and the women in leadership positions were similarly proportional. And we will know we have arrived when we no longer introduce women in their positions as “the first woman to hold this position.”
Other changes include the strong public-private partnership. The federal government is no longer the leader in R&D investment; private industry has taken that role. The partnership is crucial for industry to understand and invest in the government’s priority areas. So many technologies are dual-use like GPS, commercial imagery, and synthetic aperture radar, that it really should be a win-win relationship.
Of course, there is the change from the Cold War where we were focused on a sole adversary to a whole set of adversaries in today’s world. We evolved from a focus on a single nation state to a focus on non-nation states through our work on non-proliferation and counterterrorism to cyber – and now add the great power competition back in. It’s as if the mission has gone almost full cycle – yet none of the newer missions have subsided – it’s the environment that has changed.
Another change is the increasing amount of information available to analysts today and the increasing challenge – and importance - to make sense of all of it. Technology has always played an important role in the national security arena, yet that role has never been more important. Artificial intelligence, big data analysis, quantum computing – and the partnership with industry to apply these technologies in such a way that engenders trust is crucial.
The Cipher Brief: Who were your later career mentors and why?
Long: I have learned from so many people, to include my mentees – especially later in my career. If I had to choose one person, it would be Joan Dempsey. Joan sat on my selection panel to Senior Executive. We did not know each other at the time, and I will never forget the words she later shared with me that she said to the others on the panel - as well as to the selecting official. “We can go with the safe choice, and select more of the same, or we can select the future of Naval Intelligence.” I met Joan soon after my selection. After 3 months in my new position, I found myself in an interesting position. (A story for another interview.) Suffice it to say, Joan came up with a brilliant solution and before I knew it, I had a new job at DIA. I quickly came to admire Joan, as a person and as a leader. She is wicked smart, takes care of her people, and stands up for what she believes in. She always told me what I needed to hear, something I came to truly appreciate. Today, she is a close friend and still a great mentor.
The Cipher Brief: What advice do you give early and mid-career women today?
Long: This is advice is good for women and men. In addition to what I have already discussed about mentors, sponsors and growing your network, establish your core competency. Whatever it is, you need to be expert at something. From there establish your reputation as that go to expert who is dependable and always follows through.
Never take a job you are completely ready for. If you are completely ready, you aren’t challenging yourself and you will be become bored very quickly. That is how we continue to learn and grow. With every new job I took, I stretched myself. Each new position was always a bit out of my comfort zone. I can remember just about every “first day” and how nervous I was to be starting each new adventure. Butterflies in your stomach can be a good thing. Nervous energy can be turned into new ideas. Be prepared AND take those risks.
Never forget who you are. Have the courage to stay true to yourself and be genuine. Have the courage to say no, when applying for that promotion or taking that overseas assignment is not the right timing. Have the courage to ask for help. Asking for help is a sign of strength – not weakness. Have the courage to speak truth to power. At the end of the day what you have is your integrity.
To nominate someone to be interviewed for The Listening Post, please send us an email telling us who you are, and why you’re nominating the individual. By the way, you can also nominate yourself. It’s something that traditionally, women aren’t used to doing. Here, it’s welcomed. Drop us a line at Editor@thecipherbrief.com.
Read previous Listening Post Columns:
A Generation of Inspiration Through Leadership with Actress Erin Gray
Susan Gordon’s Journey from CIA Analyst to PDDNI
Read more expert-driven national security insights in The Cipher Brief
