CIA Recruting

nick0094

10-Year Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2009
Messages
93
My friend's father said the CIA usually goes to Service Academies to recruit. How true is this and, WHEN I get in ( I was going to put IF, but that's just one of my small ways of staying positive), what are the chances of me ending up more like James Bond than Maverick ( Using both of those comparisons VERY loosely)
 
My friend's father said the CIA usually goes to Service Academies to recruit. How true is this and, WHEN I get in ( I was going to put IF, but that's just one of my small ways of staying positive), what are the chances of me ending up more like James Bond than Maverick ( Using both of those comparisons VERY loosely)
They never came when I was a cadet and I've never heard of it since. The CIA would want "qualified personnel" from the military as you're heading off to active duty upon graduation; not to the "agency."

They DO recruit on college campuses though...

If the CIA interests you, after the academy go into a field that would be valuable to them: intel, etc...and then seek them out when you plan to leave the service.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Look, if you really want to be in the CIA, then take initiative and seek them out by applying for a position after you complete your required time in service if you want to go to the military first. Don't wait for them to come to you. Trust me on this though...from what I've read from biographies, etc. on people formerly in the CIA, its about as far from James Bond as combat is from video games. After you do some research (reading, contacting former CIA people, etc.), if you still want to be CIA, then good for you. But before you do anything, ask yourself: Is your goal the military or the CIA?
 
Back in the Cold War, some people were approached in secret to be recruited. Don't expect it to happen nowadays...

The one case I have heard, the guy had left the Navy after serving 5-8 years as an officer. He was contacted after that.

Again, not something you can count on or even expect.
If you want a job, apply for it!
 
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 :rolleyes:).

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 :thumb:

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 :wink:)

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 :wink:

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 :rolleyes:
 
Last edited:

I want to go to one of these but it's way to expensive for me or my parents to afford to send me to. I saw the scholarship page, and saw the app and that it required a financial statement to be sent in, but I'm afraid they may not think I/my parents may have enough financial need (same problem I worry I'll have when applying for college financial aid).
 
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).

I know several people who are retired military, they were all APPROACHED, including Bullet. Of course they had to apply for the job, but they had an "IN". Bullet was recruited by my cousin within the CIA (not an intel or special ops arena, and if he was military he would be a 3 or 4 star).

The 4 we know all were recruited from within the CIA. None of them are Intel or Special Ops. 2 went CIA...they fly for them. The first got in from knowing someone, the 2nd got in from knowing the guy who knew someone. The other 2, including Bullet were asked to apply, they did not seek the job, they came to them. Neither of these two opted to apply because in plain language the pay STUNK!

The CIA likes the military for the same reason that defense contractors actively recruit them...SECURITY CLEARANCE. A security clearance costs tens of thousands of dollars, takes months to complete, but lasts for 5 yrs. The military member already has it, thus, the CIA saves money, time and energy by hiring them over the person who has no security clearance.

Our DS attends UMDCP, and UMDCP is reknown for their forensic science/criminolgy program. The CIA actively recruits at this school, not only due to the program, but the proximity to Langley.

I would say this, I am impressed that Eagle got into the CIA. As I have stated my cousin is very high up, and his spouse to this date (29 yrs later) still has never been inside...their son has since he does summer internships there, his intentions are to follow his Dad's footsteps, get a law degree and enter through that way....again it will be a matter of having an "IN".

The one thing anyone thinking of their life after the military should be is to NETWORK. It is your connections, i.e. who you know, that will get the door to open for you, not what you know. It takes many many months before you will show up for work, basically 6-12 months. Do not fall into the fallacy that you can separate from the military, interview the next day and start the next week. It does not work that way for anything around the beltway.
 
I also heard that this morning and thought about how hard this will hurt the CIA community. It is an incredibly small community and with the last yr of Pelosi/Pannetta in-fighting, their morale was already low, this will cause even more to question if they should dedicate their life to the CIA.

I hope that our President will come out today and make a short statement acknowledging the tragic loss of Americans who placed the country above their life.
 
They never came when I was a cadet and I've never heard of it since. The CIA would want "qualified personnel" from the military as you're heading off to active duty upon graduation; not to the "agency."

They DO recruit on college campuses though...

If the CIA interests you, after the academy go into a field that would be valuable to them: intel, etc...and then seek them out when you plan to leave the service.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
They "recruit" on every campus, everywhere they feel likely candidates present. Needs change with current events. They do not limit their search to military qualifiers. Many of their ranks have ZERO military experience. And there are reasons for that
.
To say anything different is intellectually dishonest. Of course, their exploration depends on need, and does not necessarily come in open form. They may be using FSO interest data or simply profile candidates based on specific needs. Of course, these "needs" could be as specific as multi-lingualism or as obscure as family/social background combination mixes with physical/mental prowess. There is no hype for a" perfect recruit". Psychological considerations, agency needs, and risk assessment( just as with law enforcement) are primary qualifiers. Bottom line-if you are at the academy, stay focused on your primary objective and do your best to complete the mission at hand. They rest will play itself out...take one day at a time.
 
This is a 2009 thread - unlikely the original poster is still tuned in. Good points on recruiting. This topic comes up regularly.
 
I'm currently deciding between a SA and a civilian university right now, and while I'm not planning on entering a SA with 5 and dive in mind, I'm also interested in pursuing a career in the intelligence community. Would it be easier to join the CIA/FBI directly from a T10 university or after having several years of military experience?
 
Both are viable paths. The ABC agencies like well-rounded candidates with diverse backgrounds. There are many career paths and specialties within those agencies, and a more academic path might lend itself it some areas more than others.

With a former military officer, they get someone already skilled in leadership and followership, with proven performance in real-world high-pressure operational situations, who already has a security clearance and is reliably fit and drug-free.
 
@EchoDelta1711 ,

As usual @Capt MJ has given you a clean succinct, Joe Friday-like answer.

It would be wise for you to concentrate on where you will be happiest: In a regimented military environment? An xROTC program? Or no military exposure at all? Where you will be happiest is where you'll be most successful. Success over the next several years will determine your later success. None of the college routes will preclude you from any of the paths forward discussed here. Whatever you choose, your resume should scream PROBLEM SOLVER literally. I have to agree with @Capt MJ that the right situation in the military will give you a leg up ANYWHERE!

It is also worth remembering that there isn't a clear cut division of labor between the three letter agencies and the DOD. The CIA has ground branch units that are indistinguishable from Tier 1 units (Delta, Seal Team 6) and Tier ! units employ personnel deeply involved in Geo-spatial, signals and human intelligence. And they both employ contractors, many of whom come from the military.

These two incidents highlight my point:



Best of luck!
 
Back
Top