CIA is an acronym for Central Intelligence Agency. It was founded in 1947 as a response to the Soviet Union’s intelligence activities during World War II and has been active throughout the world ever since. The CIA is tasked with gathering, processing, and analyzing national security information from around the world, primarily through human intelligence (HUMINT). In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the fascinating history behind this organization and its career path.
1. What is a CIA?
In 1947, President Harry Truman established the Central Intelligence Agency in order to prevent the onset of another world war. The National Security Act was passed, which turned the CIA into a civilian intelligence agency tasked with collecting foreign intelligence and counterintelligence outside U.S. borders. Its primary purpose is to provide national security intelligence assessment to senior United States policymakers.
2. History of CIA
The history of this organization is fascinating. In the following paragraphs, we’ll provide a brief history of the CIA’s evolution from 1947 to 2017 through its most significant milestones.
In an effort to combat Nazi Germany in World War II, President Roosevelt organized a team called the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). The OSS began as a covert agency under the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which was only meant to last for the war. However, it became clear that OSS’ intelligence-gathering methods were too valuable to discard after the war.
Shortly after World War II ended, the National Security Act was passed in 1947 by President Truman. This act created the Central Intelligence Agency and placed it under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Defense. The main goal of the CIA was to consolidate and centralize all foreign intelligence and counterintelligence activities in one place, similar to what we see today.
Over time, the CIA became increasingly interested in analyzing national security data related to economics, business practices, and politics instead of strictly military information like it used to be. This sparked a new focus on gaining intelligence through CIA officers instead of outside assets, which required more expertise and training.
Since then, the CIA has been heavily involved in wars around the world, most notably during the Vietnam War. The Gulf War was also one of its first major engagements since World War II; it used satellite imagery to pinpoint locations of underground chemical weapons and missile silos.
CIA officers also played a vital role in providing information related to counterterrorism in the wake of the September 11th attacks. The CIA was responsible for locating Osama Bin Laden several years prior, but he went into hiding before they could make an arrest.
Since 2013, when Director John Brennan took instituted a new organizational structure that divided the CIA into four main components, the agency has been changing its focus once again. The biggest change is that Brennan removed most of the traditional divisions to emphasize collaboration between officers with different skill sets and expertise.
3. Career Path
The career path to becoming a CIA officer varies depending on what branch within the CIA you are interested in working for. There are four main branches you can choose from, which each have their own unique responsibilities.
The National Clandestine Service (NCS) is the branch of the CIA that takes on covert operations abroad. NCS officers deal with espionage and covert action, including influencing political figures to support U.S. interests.
The Directorate of Intelligence (DI) analyzes data and reports on various national security issues to support the president and other officials’ decision-making process. DI officers also create all-source intelligence products.
The Directorate of Science and Technology (DS&T) develops sophisticated technology for use by the NCS, DI, and other branches of the federal government. This includes satellites, surveillance equipment, cryptography, and other devices for gathering data.
The Directorate of Support (D.S.) is responsible for providing logistical support to all four branches within the CIA, including managing security clearances and travel arrangements.
CIA officers at each branch are required to go through extensive training before they can begin working. This typically lasts between 2-4 years, though it varies depending on the branch or job that you choose to accept after completing this training.
4. Do CIA Agents Make Good Money?
CIA agents can make a lot of money, but this is largely dependent on the branch and job you choose within the agency. The CIA website has a breakdown of what each career path and corresponding salary range and benefits entails.
Graduate students who work for the CIA as an analyst or as Business Intelligence Employee can expect to begin their careers at GS-9/2, which has a salary range of $43,441 – $59,140. As you gain experience and time spent at the agency, your pay will increase to a GS-13/7 which has a maximum salary of $74,134.
Graduate students who work for the CIA as an operations officer in NCS can expect to begin their careers at GS-9/2, which has a salary range of $43,441 – $59,140. As you gain experience and time spent at the agency, your pay will increase to a GS-13/7 which has a maximum salary of $74,134.
Graduate students who work for the CIA as an operations officer in the Directorate of Support can expect to begin their careers at GS-9/2, which has a salary range of $43,441 – $59,140. As you gain experience and time spent at the agency, your pay will increase to a GS-13/7 which has a maximum salary of $74,134.
Graduate students who work for the CIA as an operations officer in the Directorate of Science and Technology can expect to begin their careers at GS-9/2, which has a salary range of $43,441 – $59,140. As you gain experience and time spent at the agency, your pay will increase to a GS-13/7 which has a maximum salary of $74,134.
5. How Hard is it to Get a Job at the CIA?
It can be difficult to get a job at the CIA, especially if you want to work for NCS or the Directorate of Support. According to jobs in the clandestine, there are often hundreds of applicants for open positions and only one position available in most cases.
The recruitment process for the CIA is long and tedious. Applicants must go through extensive background checks and polygraph testing, as well as a structured interview before even being considered for open positions. In addition to this, applicants generally need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university to be eligible.
6. Is CIA Higher than FBI?
The CIA is a national security agency, while the FBI is a federal law enforcement agency. So although both agencies are part of the U.S. government’s executive branch, they deal with different issues and have different goals.
CIA agents and officers are responsible for protecting national security by collecting, coordinating, analyzing, and disseminating foreign intelligence information. The FBI is responsible for upholding the law and preventing federal offenses against the United States. According to official government reports and documents, in 2016, the CIA’s annual budget was $15 billion, whereas the FBI’s annual budget was $9.8 billion.
The FBI is technically a higher level than the CIA, but the salaries are comparable with starting positions for both agencies, around $50,000 per year.
7. Does the CIA have More Academic Requirements?
The CIA has more academic requirements (undergraduate degree) than most government agencies like the FBI. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) does not always require a college degree to join the organization, although getting one will certainly increase your chances of being accepted.
The CIA has many different roles that need filling, and they often look for people with degrees in Economics, Engineering, Mathematics, Social Sciences (e.g., psychology), Language skills (foreign languages like Arabic).
For example, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university. At least 16 hours of related coursework is also required for this position, although many applicants have master’s degrees or PhDs in the subject areas listed above.
8. How Long is CIA Training?
New recruits in the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) must go through a 21-week training program at The Farm (officially known as “The James J. Rowley Training Center”). This is where they learn the basics of espionage and other skills that will help them succeed in their careers with the agency.
Trainees start out with basic conditioning exercises to get them into shape then move on to classroom learning. They spend a week in language and tradecraft training before going on a survival course at a remote location in the woods for a few days.
Out of 21 weeks, 13 are spent at The Farm, while 8 take place away from the facility. Trainees spend three weeks learning photography, surveillance, and other skills in the field, then return to The Farm for a week of testing. CIA trainees are tested on their ability to handle stress, solve problems, make decisions under pressure, and more.
Trainees who successfully complete all phases of CIA training are assigned to an overseas post after an additional three months of specialized technical training. They must be able to serve in a foreign country for extended periods of time and under varying circumstances.
9. What Major is Best for the CIA?
The best major for the CIA is largely dependent on the role you are applying for. While all roles require a bachelor’s degree, some can be done with many different majors. For example, if you want to be an intelligence analyst, then your main focus will be foreign languages and area studies.
On the other hand, if you wanted to become an operations officer, you would need to have a degree in engineering, mathematics, or science. This makes it even more difficult to narrow down the best major for the CIA when applying.
10. What Schools does the CIA Recruit From?
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recruits from hundreds of colleges and universities across the U.S. The three most common schools they recruit from are:
1. University of Virginia 2. Michigan State University 3. American University
If you want to apply for a CIA job, you have to verify that your degree is from an accredited college or university. This means that it has to be approved by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, so you should check beforehand.
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) does not specify requirements for majors or degree types, but they do list several academic areas of focus: The Foreign Affairs field, International law, Linguistics, Journalism, and Social Sciences.
Conclusion
The CIA offers a variety of career paths for those interested in intelligence, national security, and international affairs. Whether you are looking to work as an analyst, in operations, or in another field, the CIA has something to offer. The agency is also always looking for qualified candidates, so if you are interested in joining the CIA, be sure to check out their website for job openings.
