A. The Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) is the“how to” part of DoD Directive (DoDD) 8521.01E on Biometrics.  The DoDD assigns policy biometrics-related responsibilities—or the “do” part—to various agencies across the DoD Biometrics Enterprise.  According to LTC Mike Davis, BTF Policy Branch Chief, “In some cases, the ‘do’ part is so expansive across the DoD components and activities that a procedure is required to conduct business in an orderly fashion.  The DoDI will allow the various agencies across the enterprise to play from the same sheet of music, so to speak.”

A formal definition of a DoDI is found in DoDI 5025.01 “DoD Directives Program,” which states that a DoDI implements policy established in a DoDD by providing general procedures for carrying out that policy.

A. DoDD 8521.01E designates the DDR&E as the Principal Staff Assistant responsible for oversight of DoD biometric programs and policies to include interagency coordination.  Mr. Thomas Dee, Director of Defense Biometrics, then tasked the Executive Manager for DoD Biometrics, BTF Director Dr. Myra Gray, to coordinate a developmental effort within the DoD biometrics community.  Neither the DoDD nor the DoDI directs other U.S. government (USG) agencies (i.e., Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, Department of State, and others); instead, it coordinates the efforts among them.

The BTF Policy Branch began preparatory work on the DoDI last October, which included a three-day crosswalk workshop to identify DoDD responsibilities assigned to more than one DoD Component that would, therefore, require a procedure for carrying out those responsibilities.  As many as 15 procedures resulted.  In January 2009, the BTF hosted a kick-off meeting with more than 70 action officers from various DoD Components.  The kick-off meeting introduced the concept of developing the DoDI as well as establishing DoDI development teams.

A senior review team is in the process of providing comments on the drafts through the Defense Biometric Expert Knowledge System (DBEKS), the secure area of the BTF Web site.  Before the DoDI draft rolls into the staffing process, the final review, beginning with informal staffing, is scheduled for May 12, 2009.

A. “Implementing the DoDI will further DoD Biometric Enterprise Strategic Plan objectives by ensuring that the Enterprise has the written guidance to execute Strategic Plan Enterprise-wide collaborative requirements,” said Brandon Schneider, BTF Policy Analyst.  The development of the DoDI is a sub-action of the Biometrics Enterprise Strategic Plan (BESP).  In general, the DoDI for Biometrics supports the Enterprise’s ability to execute all of the BESP goals by establishing broad procedures that will assist with:

1. Meeting warfighter biometric needs of Combatant Commands, Services, and Combat Support Agencies with sufficient time and certitude.
2. Integrating biometrics into DoD business functions as required to increase efficiency, effectiveness, and accuracy.
3. Ensuring that biometrics is incorporated into standard DoD processes in order to enhance military operations and business functions.
4. Coordinating efforts to achieve unity of purpose for the effective governance and employment of biometrics-enabled capabilities and proactive engagement with joint, interagency, and multinational partners and civilian populations.

A. The target completion date is August 6, 2009, for the DoDI to be ready for signature by the Deputy Secretary of Defense.  “I have heard that the development and staffing of DoD issuances to include the rigors of staffing and adjudication is typically an 18- to 24-month process, and we are shooting for 7 to 9 months,” said Bill Phillips, BTF Policy Analyst.

A. “There has been a lot of interest, support, and cooperation across the Biometrics Enterprise,” Phillips said.  “Of course there are challenges, to include scheduling difficulties and priorities, but overall we’ve had good attendance and support from all the biometrics stakeholders.”