National Intelligence Department

The National Intelligence Division (NID) is a civilian branch of the United States Government, which often comes into conflict with Stargate Command. The precise origins of the NID are classified, however, it is likely that the organization was created sometime shortly after the famous Roswell Crash of 1947. The official purpose of the NID is to provide civilian oversight of top-secret military operations, most frequently those pertaining to UFOs or other extra terrestrial phenomena.

In reality, the NID is often less honorable than they profess. They believe the only purpose of the Stargate program should be to acquire alien technology for the defense of Earth, and they are completely indifferent to how their actions might affect innocent civilians, both on- and off-planet. This policy is strongly contested by the members of Stargate Command, who have had to clean up several of the NID's blunders.

The NID has proven to be particularly susceptible to corruption in the past. Since 1998 at least, a number of NID members (especially Colonel Maybourne and Colonel Simmons) have been involved in clandestine operations without the knowledge of the U.S. government. Despite their claims, the technology they steal is not intended to defend Earth, but rather to a private cabal known as "the Committee." This group is made up of international businessmen and corporations who have learned of the Stargate's existence, and hope to use alien technology for financial gain.

As the series progresses, this group's objectives become more and more nefarious. Under the Committee's influence, rogue agents of the NID have committed a number of actions against the SGC, the United States and its allies; forcing General Hammond into retirement and replacing him with a hard-liner, stealing the Prometheus soon after its completion, and the attempt on Senator Kinsey's life are some of their more infamous actions.

However, the NID is not entirely corrupt; several of its members, including Agents Malcom Barrett and Richard Woolsey, have fought hard against the influence of the rogue group. In 2002, it was largely thanks to Barret that the leading members of the Committee were apprehended. Since then, most of the rogue agents seem to have jumped ship and sought refuge with the Trust, the successor to the Committee. The NID has been considered clean ever since, although they are still known to butt heads with the military.

Known agents

 * Cross
 * Malcolm Barrett
 * Richard Woolsey
 * Singer
 * Harold Maybourne
 * Frank Simmons