Editor’s note: The two CIA employees asked not to be named in the story for security reasons.
He swan dives of out an airplane, rips off a jumpsuit to reveal a tuxedo and has a beautiful woman on his arm to help him steal international secrets at dinner.
Two CIA members discussed the unrealistic practices of James Bond and other government agents from movies and what it really takes to work for the agency, as well as career opportunities with the CIA on Tuesday evening. The two talked with students during an information session at the U. Kansas Visitor Center.
The two work for the National Clandestine Service (NCS), a division of the CIA, which focuses on national security and foreign policy through counter intelligence and covert action. In other words, this is where James Bond would work if he were American.
The pair, a man and a woman, discussed a variety of careers with NCS and other divisions within the CIA, including language officers and advanced positions, but focused on field-based positions through the NCS, in which employees work overseas to gather intelligence.
The woman candidly discussed lying to her children, her mother and everyone except her husband about where she works. She wanted the audience to understand that applying for any NCS position is not for the faint of heart.
“People ask me how I can lie to my own children, but I do it for my country and for my own safety as well as theirs,” she said.
The ability to keep a low profile is essential to the program. Those attending were asked not to share they went to the meeting on Facebook or with others, and the pair said the CIA does not have a Facebook page. Trying to accessing any Facebook page that claims to be the CIA, they said, may cause malware to infect the computer, because the site is a fake.
Both the man and the woman had worked in field-based positions and discussed how to be selected for one.
An applicant can obtain a field-based position through two programs: the Professional Trainee (PT) program and the Clandestine Service Trainee (CST) program. In the PT program, an applicant must be between 21 and 25 years old and have a college degree. It is for people with limited professional or military experience. The CST program is for people with professional or military experience who are between the ages of 26 and 35.
The two made it clear that anyone applying to work for the CIA must be willing to work in Washington D.C. and wherever they are sent for field positions. They also stressed the need for integrity and good judgment.
“We’re looking for diverse people who can solve problems, and common sense is critical,” the man said. “If we could find a program offering a degree in common sense, believe me, we’d promote the hell out of it.”
They asked anyone applying to take interest in international affairs and recommended seeking news through international outlets, such as BBC and Al-Jazeera.
The same extensive application process is required for any job with the NCS. Applicants must apply online at cia.gov and the entire selection process takes between 12 and 18 months. It includes interviews, trips to Washington D.C. for aptitude tests and examinations by medical personnel and members of security.
The CIA receives 10,000 applications a month, but the man said those who are selected will never be bored with their jobs.
“If I can look back on my life and say ‘I can’t believe this is my life’,” the man said, “that’s a pretty amazing thing.”