...from another board:
Leaders,
We are getting close to obtaining approval to establish an Intelligence qualification pin. On June 4th, I signed the two OPNAV Instructions which will govern the qualification program for our pin. This action was the final step in the process to request an Intelligence breast insignia from the CNO, via the Navy Uniform Board. Our package requesting the insignia will be reviewed by the complete Navy Uniform Board in late July. If ultimately approved by the CNO, it will be announced to the Fleet through a NAVADMIN.
The right to wear the insignia will be earned through the completion of the Professional Qualification Standard (PQS) for Intelligence Officers and a qualification board. Those Intelligence Officers who have already begun or completed the Intelligence Officer Basic Professional Qualification Program (PQP) book and qualification board will be allowed to earn the pin through that program (Details provided in attached 101417Z MAR 09 NETWARCOM message). There is also a "grandfather clause" in the instruction which qualifies our more senior Intelligence Officers (those not subject to the PQS or PQP) to wear the pin based on their demonstrated knowledge and service in the Naval Intelligence community. One important element of this program is that it will be a mandatory qualification for our 163x and 645x Officers (optional for 745X). Absent an approved waiver, failure to complete the qualification program within the authorized timeline (2 years for Active Component Officers, 5 years for Reserve Component Officers) will be grounds for removal from our community.
I've also attached the actual pin design proposed to the Uniform Board. The design may incur some minor changes as we work through the prototype and manufacturing process, but I expect the final product to be very similar in appearance. Contracting, prototyping and manufacturing will likely take 6 to 9 months, so don't plan on wearing the new insignia until before Spring 2010.
This marks a key milestone toward our shared objective of clearly establishing intelligence as a core warfighting capability of the U.S. Navy. Increasing the professionalization of our force is a critical step in that regard, and the Intelligence qualification pin will be a proud symbol of that professionalism for those who earn the right to wear it.
Vr/ DJD (VADM Jack Dorsett, Director of Naval Intelligence)