Debunking CIA Myths and Misconceptions
Raise your hand if you think that all CIA agents are all like Jason Bourne. Well, it seems as if there are a lot of us, but during my research for my book, I found out that despite their clandestine and very hush-hush jobs, they’re not all super soldiers running around chasing or being chased by an enemy of the free world. Some of them have very boring desk jobs. And no, not all those glued to computers are CIA hackers.
This week’s post is all about debunking these myths, so here are the most popular myths according to our good friends at the CIA and why they’re nothing more than a misconception.
Fast and the Furious
No, CIA agents don’t run around narrow streets and jump on moving vehicles. Real life is nothing like what the movies portray. The CIA says, however, that the job is glamorous as you’re a “collection intelligence on the cutting edge of global change.”
The Social Network Ban
Yes, CIA operatives can use social media. Do they use it to spy on you using aliases? Maybe. But the agency does enforce guidelines to protect the employees from compromising themselves (i.e., posting a status about why they love working in the CIA). It’s just common sense, but like any corporation, you can only do your Facebooking on your own free time.
Tattoo Taboo
The CIA is diverse and inclusive. That means you are not required to know how to play blackjack, dance ballroom, or look like James Bond in a tux. Some agents can look like your everyday craft beer drinking bearded hipster, complete with ironic sleeve tattoos, and that’s just perfectly fine. All the better to blend in and spy on you.
CIA Agents are Martial Arts Masters
This is clearly a myth. The accounting department cannot possibly take you down with kung fu, but they can take you down with an intense investigation into your expenses. So no, you don’t have to run like Tom Cruise, drive like Vin Diesel, or fight like Chuck Norris. All you need is a deep intellect, make good decisions, and have a strong dedication to the US of A.
Parlez-vous Français?Unlike the Foreign Affairs Department, the CIA does not require their operatives to speak a foreign language. Although it does help, it isn’t a necessity. However, if you need to go to a place that speaks Farsi or Cantonese, you will receive adequate training. Spy KidsNo, you are not required to spy on your folks, and it’s practically unheard of. Most of your work will involve collecting information from sources outside the United States.
Inspector Gadget
Although there is some truth to agents using the latest spy technology, field agents don’t necessarily use them. You don’t need fancy gadgets to type up a report. However, the scientists and engineers working for the CIA do get to play and make brand-new toys that are so hi-tech they are classified. So movies can only speculate, but the reality is so much more intense.
These are just some myths that the CIA has debunked, but maybe they’re just saying these things to point others toward a different direction. That might be considered a conspiracy theory, but who knows? They can tell us, but they might have to kill us, so perhaps in this instance, ignorance is bliss.
Reference
Central Intelligence Agency. 2017. “Myths.” Last modified March 6, 2017. Accessed on April 4, 2017. https://www.cia.gov/careers/games-information/myths.
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