Joseph Lamar Simmons

Joseph Lamar Simmons, a veteran Defense Intelligence Officer, offers a rare glimpse into the mindset that drives those working behind the scenes in national security. For Simmons, being a defense intelligence professional is less about gathering raw information and more about interpreting what that information means — both now and in the future. Seeing Beyond the Surface One of the key traits Simmons highlights is the ability to look beyond the obvious. Intelligence officers don’t just collect data; they analyze patterns, question assumptions, and search for hidden connections. Joseph Lamar Simmons describes this process as piecing together a puzzle where the pieces are constantly shifting. The goal is to understand not only what is happening but why it’s happening and what could happen next. This way of thinking requires patience and curiosity. Simmons explains that an intelligence officer must be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty. Information is often incomplete or contradi...

What does it take to master the art of surveillance? In this video, Intelligence Officer Joseph Lamar Simmons reveals 7 essential tips that every aspiring spy, private investigator, or security professional should know. Forget the Hollywood version — real surveillance is about patience, planning, and staying unnoticed. Whether you're interested in intelligence work, security operations, or simply curious about how surveillance is done in real life, this video breaks it down in simple, practical terms. 📌 In this video, you'll learn: Why blending in is more powerful than high-tech tools How to plan an effective surveillance operation What small details to watch for during fieldwork Why is patience your greatest asset How to stay calm and focused under pressure When it’s smart to pull back and avoid being seen How reviewing your work helps you improve Joseph Lamar Simmons speaks from years of real-life intelligence experience, offering valuable knowledge for professionals and cur...

  There’s a quiet tension behind every national security decision—a pressure to see what others miss. According to Joseph Lamar Simmons , that pressure falls squarely on the shoulders of intelligence professionals. Simmons, who’s spent years behind the scenes advising U.S. intelligence agencies, doesn’t speak in dramatic terms. His perspective is grounded, practical, and shaped by real-world experience. For him, intelligence isn’t glamorous. It’s essential. “You don’t need a spotlight to make an impact,” Simmons once said. “You just need to be right before it’s too late.” What Intelligence Actually Means in Practice When most people think of intelligence, they picture spies, surveillance, maybe even Hollywood-style covert missions. But the real work is far less cinematic—and far more consequential. Simmons describes it this way: “Intelligence is about asking better questions. It’s understanding not just what’s happening, but why it’s happening—and what could come next.” In other wo...

When Joseph Lamar Simmons talks about his work in intelligence, he doesn’t make it sound like a movie. He laughs at most of what Hollywood gets wrong. “People think we’re jumping out of helicopters or decoding secret messages all day,” he says. “Honestly? It’s a lot more sitting in front of screens than people think.” Joseph Lamar Simmons spent more than 20 years as an intelligence officer. He’s worked in the field, in the office, and sometimes in places he still can’t talk about. Now retired, he shares some insights into what intelligence officers do, especially when it comes to collecting and analyzing information. It Starts with Gathering Pieces of the Puzzle “The first part of the job is all about gathering,” Joseph Lamar Simmons explains. “You’re pulling in information from everywhere—news reports, satellite photos, intercepted signals, even just what people are saying online.” This part of the job is called collection, and it can involve everything from drones and satellites to ...