I know this one is an old topic, but I was actually at the CIA this past summer (I'll just say it was a student program
).
Anyway, the two biggest things they emphasized there, and I'm not kidding:
1) Check the website (
www.cia.gov - specific link posted above)
2) Don't download music illegally
Apparently #2 is the big one they look for in background checks.
Anyway, a lot of their "people" are former military but they mostly applied for the job rather than being approached (though there are people who have worked with the CIA - ie: intelligence and special ops that find their way in that way).
What it sounds like you're interested in is the National Clandestine Service, better known as NCS (no I in there), specifically
these guys.
When we were there we met this guy "Tony" (he definitely made it up on the spot) who arrived a little late and looked like he just got off the plane and chopper ride over to Langley from Afghanistan - he's the guy you aspire to be
Question: Will you be James Bond?
Answer: No
Your job as Tony will be more along the lines of working with special operations forces and gathering intelligence and spying in the way you would think but not the James Bond way (you know what I mean
)
There are two types of missions - overt and covert.
Overt is basically the exact description that Michael Weston gave in an episode of Burn Notice. You're sent overseas as part of an embassy detail, but you're really a spy - the catch - everyone and their mothers know you're not really an embassy worker. The good part, you've got the diplomatic immunity and if your cover's really blown, you are an American, are recognized, and they can get you out.
Covert is the CIA doesn't know who you are.
That's really what they told us, and I actually found it kind of funny how the description they gave for overt missions was so in sync with the show Burn Notice.
Alright, so what did this wall of text just tell you?
Keep your nose clean of any wrongdoing - even the small things.
Recruited straight out of the academy? Not likely.
Getting a job after a military career by applying yourself? More likely.
Getting a position in NCS? You need the combat experience if you want to be like Tony. There are plenty of other worthwhile positions in the CIA though, so if your military career doesn't take you down that path but you want to be CIA, know that there are a lot of options.
Last and most important.
Do not advertise that you are applying to the CIA.
Anonymously here asking questions, alright - but they really don't like people out of the agency knowing who is in it or who might be in it - also, know you're not completely anonymous here.
I hope that helps you out. The visit there was a few months ago, but if you have any more questions I may be able to give some more insight.
Disclaimer: No, I'm not CIA and not an expert in this field. I also didn't write all this to appear all official or cool or anything like that, it just happens to be what I know. My trip to the CIA was actually a student program known as the National Student Leadership Conference, specifically oriented for Intelligence & National Security, so the CIA, Pentagon, and chat with Admiral Michael Mullen were on the to-do list. I'd be happy to try and answer questions related to this, but again, I'm not an expert, and for all intents and purposes, I'm still a "kid," abet at 17
By the way, fun fact: Take the most technologically advanced thing you can think of and the CIA is 10 years ahead of that. Or so they told us.
One more thing I just thought of about that whole anonymous thing - one post I made in an AFROTC scholarship topic, one post I made in an introduction topic, and this post are far more than enough for anyone who knows me in real life to know this is me on here. That doesn't bother me too much since the CIA, NSA, FBI, DIA, DLA, or one of our many other friends with initials isn't really on my list other than the USAF, but for someone who is interested in going into an intelligence agency, always make sure you're not posting more than what really needs to be said.
This too just came to mind as I wrote that - that's also a great example for a military OPSEC perspective. Seemingly harmless comments could mean everything to the enemy.
I don't know, I guess I have a habit of making my own lessons in these types of posts. I'll stop now