After I joined the CIA, I underwent testing for the Security Officer Recruiting and Training (SORT) program. To qualify for the program, I took the CIA’s equivalent of the Graduate Records Exam. Candidates had to score a 3.0 or higher on the test. The test also included extensive IQ and psychological test questions (a full eight hours). Testing covered extensive questions on world geography and political history. I passed and was admitted into the CIA Office of Security, staff security officer generalist program, where I underwent the intensive security officer training program.
In the CIA, generalist security officers are responsible for internal and external security and counterintelligence investigations, applicant background screening and clearances, staff periodic reinvestigations, personal protection of the Director of the CIA (DCI), Deputy Director of the CIA (DDCI), Chiefs of Station (COS) overseas and the protection of defectors handled by the CIA. Security officers are also responsible for operational security during Directorate of Operations (DO) operational missions.
My introduction began with an intensive training program at the CIA’s training facility affectionately known as “The Farm.” The farm is a beautiful tract of land, equipped with all the latest agency training props and role players. There is a quiet air of mystery hanging over the farm. At night, you can hear a pin drop, except for the occasional burst of automatic weapon fire. The program consisted of training in performing internal CIA investigations, interviewing and interrogation. My later counterintelligence and polygraph training would amplify the instruction I received there. During my time at The Farm, I also underwent training in counter surveillance and surveillance detection. This would become the cornerstone of my operational skills in the Counter Terrorism Center. Our team went through extensive firearms training, operational driving training and we received our indoctrination to technical security countermeasures, or “bug” prevention and detection. Our final training involved intensive, scenario driven training on operational VIP protection. Those of us who successfully completed the course left exhausted, relieved and excited about the assignments that lay ahead.
I was assigned to the detail of security officers dedicated to protect the DCI and DDCI. We were put through more extensive training in protective operations. This training consisted of Secret Service grade VIP protection techniques, coupled with CIA specific operational protective intelligence. We were drilled in the use of several advanced weapons systems.
Training for Counter Terrorism Center assignments consisted of counter terrorism driving, advanced tactical firearms, surveillance and counter surveillance and other training I cannot discuss. The greatest training we received came during actual operations in the field. There is simply no substitute for the experience you gain on an actual assignment. Some of the experience is fulfilling and some is very humbling. It is amazing how your head shrinks when there is actually a possibility you may be killed on an assignment.