National Counterterrorism Center Director Michael Leiter arrives at work at 7 a.m. in McLean.
Melina Mara-The Washington Post
Michael Leiter begins a meeting at 8 a.m at the operations center.
Melina Mara-The Washington Post
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen works out five times a week at 4 a.m. after waking up at 3 a.m. to read classified e-mails and reports.
Melina Mara-The Washington Post
Mullen starts his day with an early morning workout routine.
Melina Mara-The Washington Post
Mullen in the Navy Yard gym.
Melina Mara-The Washington Post
Big Dave, Mullen's trainer, refers to the admiral as "the baddest chairman ever."
Melina Mara-The Washington Post
Mullen sips a protein shake after his workout.
Melina Mara-The Washington Post
After a busy morning reviewing e-mails and working out, Mullen begins work at the Pentagon at 7 a.m.
Melina Mara-The Washington Post
Mullen begins work at the Pentagon with a bowl of oatmeal, which he'll eat during his national security briefing.
Melina Mara-The Washington Post
Minutes after a national security briefing, Mullen sits down to a staff meeting.
Melina Mara-The Washington Post
National Security Adviser Gen. James L. Jones speaks during a news conference.
Bill O'leary-The Washington Post
The clock strikes midnight in the White House Situation Room.
Melina Mara-The Washington Post
Staff is on duty 24-7 in the Situation Room.
Melina Mara-The Washington Post
Staff is on duty 24-7 in the Situation Room.
Melina Mara-The Washington Post
President Obama is accompanied by Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, left, Vice President Biden, center, and acting Director of National Intelligence, David Gompert, as the president enters the Oval Office for a daily national security briefing.
Melina Mara-The Washington Post
President Obama sits for his daily national security briefing in the Oval Office. Acting Director of National Intelligence, David Gompert, far left, National Security Adviser Gen. James L. Jones and Vice President Biden each hold a copy of the President's Daily Brief.
Melina Mara-The Washington Post
Portraits of President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton grace the entrance to the U.S. Department of State's operations center in Washington.
Linda Davidson-The Washington Post
Staff inside the State Department's operations center.
Linda Davidson-The Washington Post
Sarah Duffy works as an editor at the U.S. Department of State's operations center.
Linda Davidson-The Washington Post
FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III begins his long day at 7 a.m. with a security briefing and several staff meetings.
Melina Mara-The Washington Post
Mueller gets briefed, he says, "365 days a year, even on Christmas, even on vacation."
Melina Mara-The Washington Post
Mueller leads a staff meeting.
Melina Mara-The Washington Post
CIA Director Leon Panetta approaches his job with gravity. "The pressure is on; we can't afford to sleep. It's like the nighthawk that has to keep circling."
Bill O'leary-Washington Post
Panetta is required to sign off on operations two to three nights a week. "The burden you carry is heavier than other jobs," he says. The CIA is engaged in some of the most aggressive actions in the agency's history.
Bill O'leary-Washington Post
Chief of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano lands at Andrews Air Force Base after five days in the Middle East.
Melina Mara-The Washington Post
After flying all night, Napolitano gets in her car and gets right to work.
Melina Mara-The Washington Post
Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates returns home after an afternoon at the White House.
Melina Mara-The Washington Post
Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. works late into the night in his dimly lit kitchen in Washington.
Melina Mara-The Washington Post
Holder pores over the latest briefings and reports throughout the night to prepare for the next day's work.
Melina Mara-The Washington Post
Gallery Credits:
Photo Editors Stephen Cook, Dyan Elovich
Text Editor Milos Balac
Producer Stephen Cook
