Agent Innocent: How the Secret Service Changed My Life

by Melanie Lentz

In 2007, Melanie Lentz was one of the youngest female Secret Service agents ever hired. At twenty-two, she had no prior military or law enforcement experience, much less life experience. But she sold herself on a platform of trainability. She could be taught the skills needed to be a great agent, and her work ethic and stubbornness got her through the grueling months of training. Agent How the Secret Service Changed My Life chronicles Melanie’s journey into womanhood by paralleling her personal and professional life. While her experiences and life lessons were acquired via unconventional and unique ways, her story proves remarkably relatable. Behind the sunglasses, earpiece, badge, and ponytail was a woman struggling to balance a demanding occupation and a neglected personal life. For years she hid behind her respected reputation at work, convincing those around her that she was okay when she wasn’t. After being assigned to Former First Lady Nancy Reagan’s protection detail in Los Angeles, Melanie’s life began to unravel, ultimately leading to her resignation in July 2016 shortly after Mrs. Reagan’s death. With vulnerability and raw emotion, Melanie tells her story of divorce, depression, dysfunction, self-esteem, humility, self-awareness, and more. Melanie failed to protect herself, but she was exposed to the concept of protection every day at work. Little did she know the Secret Service was covertly giving her the life experience she needed to help her start over and become a better woman.

271 pages, Paperback

Published August 29, 2019

Reviews

[HR-ML · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gave this memoir 3.5 stars.

Melanie Lentz was an over-achiever. She took good
notes in class, got good grades & obtained Bachelor
and Master's degrees in kinetics. She participated in
her high school and college swim teams. And later
attended United States Secret Service (USSS) Rescue
Swim School* and was one of the rare persons to pass
this class and become certified.

Melanie worked for the USSS from 2007 x 9 years. She
had several assignments within the agency ie bank
fraud, cyber-crime (including child porn), protective
intelligence (investigating those who threaten the US
President in-person, on-line, in written comments or
by use of a phone.) But her favorite was protection
details for the POTUS (past or present) or VP (or their
families) or foreign dignitaries. Or those running for
President who qualified for USSS protection. Some she
protected included: the Pope, George W. Bush, Jill Biden,
Pres. Obama, Nancy Reagan x 10 months, before she died.

Melanie wed Steve, a police academy grad who 'washed
out' in training. Steve ended up unemployed x 1 year. He
later became a reserve officer, a school resource officer
then a beat cop again. @ times her marriage details seem-
ed TMI, especially the couple's sex life and insults to each
other. They seemed too young to wed or needed more life
experience first.

Melanie got along with most people. But over time she
learned that suppressing her true emotions resulted
in her food disorder (purging & over-exercising). Also
she received a major depression diagnosis. Both she +
Steve expressed they were both 'not good enough.'


* The purpose of the USSS Rescue Swim School was to
train swimmers to keep safe the protectee (IE President
or Vice President or dignitary) who was attacked while
at sea. Secret Service agents were assigned to a protectee
& were charged with protecting that person, not everyone
on the boat or ship.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What an interesting and brutally honest look at a woman's life from her own perspective. I was initially drawn in by the behind-the-scenes look at the US Secret Service, but I continued to be drawn in because I felt so much of myself in the author's own thoughts. Her frank dissection of her marriage and self-worth gave me a different perspective to view my own relationships with myself and others.

[Chrysovalantou Hoppe · Rating 5 out of 5]

So honest and thrilling!

[Troy Jappel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tear!

It doesn't get any truer than this. Melanie, thank you for trusting your heart to your readers! Luv, THE Troy

[Kathleen Kirchner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting

[Varina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply worded and easy to follow what can be known as a somewhat difficult process to understand. Refreshing to see someone describe their experiences in a high profile job without added sensationalism but still demonstrating the dedication and grit required of our elite law enforcement teams.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great insight into the life of a female secret service agent. The author bravely shares how her job affected multiple facets of her life and how her struggles shaped who she has become.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book Agent Lentz. I enjoyed hearing your story and I can see your story helping others.

[Tina O'Hailey]

Inspirational!

What a story. Honest and sincere. A glimpse into what a tough cookie this woman is and how she battled her demons.