We often laugh at them and wonder what they’re up to. But there’s this spook on that says really stupid things. They must work within that kaleidoscopic framework on behalf of American interests. Those in the Intelligence Community, on the other hand, must live those differences, and they know that recognizing and understanding the contrasting values, personalities, and customs of other cultures is paramount to both their survival and the success of their missions.

Recognition That Diverse People Actually Are DiverseĪnyone can talk about diversity. One reason spooks are drawn to the work is an abiding interest in people, cultures, and experiencing their world. Love of Travel and Experiencing Foreign Cultures Otherwise, they would talk out of turn, get burned out, or worse, if a field operative, they would get dead. They must mentally wall off the work life from the personal life, and vice versa. Members of the Intelligence Community must be able to compartmentalize information, as well as their experiences. These traits will be similar to greater and lesser degrees in other countries. While members of the IC can have an infinite variety of personalities, religions, political opinions, and backgrounds, American spooks all have some character traits in common.

Now that we’ve settled that, let’s take a look at some character traits that all spooks share.

Usage of the term “spook” in the Intelligence Community dates back to the 1800s and is derived from “a ghost that haunts people and is considered undesirable.” It has nothing to do with the racial slur, and operatives of all races are referred to as “spooks.” “Spies” are the agents of foreign countries that are spying on us, or they are foreign agents who are spying on their own countries on our behalf. The preferred slang among American intelligence operatives, particularly older operatives, and in the American IC in general is “spook,” not “spy.” Holmes is a “spook.” As he says, spying is seamy. He’s a forty-plus-year veteran of field intelligence operations and a senior member of the US Intelligence Community. My writing partner, Jay Holmes, is the real deal. However, most of us haven’t served in the Intelligence Community (“IC”) to have experience to draw on, so it helps to talk to someone who is the real deal. James Bond, Jason Bourne, Sydney Bristow, Jack Bauer.

How to be a real spy agent