The Naval Investigative Service (NIS), previously the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) and now the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), was established to provide the Navy with a professional investigative arm with the mission to investigate and prosecute criminal and intelligence activity throughout the Navy, worldwide. A cadre of ONI Special Agent investigators was formed to meet this need. Shortly after the Vietnam War began the Navy saw a need to deploy its investigative services to the theater of operation.

In 1962, for the first time in Navy history, ONI Special Agents were deployed to a war zone. At that time, these agents were ONI contract employees but in 1969, due to reorganization, they were converted to excepted Civil Service as NIS Special Agents. At first these deployments were limited to temporary duty [TAD] assignments to Saigon and other in-country locations. However, after only a few months, it became apparent that a permanent investigative presence was needed and Special Agents were assigned one year tours at Resident Agencies located in Saigon and Da Nang. Later, temporary satellite offices were established in other areas. This gave the Navy virtually instant investigative coverage throughout the entire theater of operations. ONI/NIS Special Agents were present in Vietnam throughout the War, ending with the last Special Agent assigned "in-country" departing Saigon in 1973. Continued investigative and counter-intelligence coverage within Vietnam was provided out of NISRA Subic Bay, Philippines, until April 1975 by Special Agents on TAD.

Since that time the Special Agents of the NCIS have continued to serve their country and the Navy worldwide, including the combat areas of Iraq and Afghanistan.

We consider it an honor to have served our country during these difficult times.