Back in November 2014, SOFREP writer Frumentarius wrote an excellent piece titled Top 5 Qualifications for CIA’s Clandestine Service, which outlined the checklist of resume items for aspiring spies. The list included background prerequisites such as military experience, language, experience abroad, higher education, and life experience. In this article, I will discuss some of … [Read more...] about 8 Attributes of an Effective CIA Intel Officer
James Powell Articles
History of intelligence gathering: The Cold War
On March 5, 1946, Winston Churchill, former Prime Minister of Great Britain rose to give a speech at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, a grim look on his face and an even grimmer message in his heart. His speech began with praise for his staunch ally and friend, President Harry S. Truman and the United States, and as the speech progressed, the reason for his concern … [Read more...] about History of intelligence gathering: The Cold War
Intelligence gathering during World War II
The years between 1918 and 1939 were marked by intense turmoil for much of the world, as Europe, ravaged by World War I, struggled to rebuild and recover, while the U.S. brought home her late-to-the-war troops and once again downsized its military. In the Pacific, the Japanese military, who had played a limited role in the war on the side of the Entente, took advantage of … [Read more...] about Intelligence gathering during World War II
Historical view of intelligence gathering: Europe, Civil War, and Gray Ghosts
By the early to mid-1800s, the world was coming into its own, with many nations having shaken off (or were in the process of shaking off) tyrants and monarchies. Governments and militaries were re-shaped and reformed, but the age-old art of intelligence gathering remained a mainstay of both. Those nations ruled by kings, queens, and dictators needed to know what the people were … [Read more...] about Historical view of intelligence gathering: Europe, Civil War, and Gray Ghosts
A historical view of intelligence gathering: The spies of the American Revolution
The American general was desperate. The last time he had faced his enemy counterpart, who considered one the best tacticians in the world, he and his men had barely escaped with their lives and had given up crucial territory during the withdrawal. He knew that he could be engaging in a second battle at any time and that if he were to be victorious, he needed crucial information … [Read more...] about A historical view of intelligence gathering: The spies of the American Revolution
Ninja & Samurai: intelligence gathering in ancient Asia
You can read part I here. Ancient China and much of Asia saw widespread use of spies and espionage during its turbulent history. In fact, the use of these agents was so common that the final chapter of Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" (Sunzi Bingfa) is dedicated to spies, spying, and their importance in battlefield and political tactics. One passage from the treatise actually … [Read more...] about Ninja & Samurai: intelligence gathering in ancient Asia
From the Kryptia to the CIA: A historical view of intelligence gathering
CIA. KGB. MSS. All acronyms that anyone familiar with the intelligence world would know. (For those who may not be familiar, they stand for: Central Intelligence Agency -- United States, Komitet Gosudarstvennoy Bezopasnosti -- Soviet Union/Russia, and the Ministry for State Security -- China). They are all well-represented in the modern media. But what about the … [Read more...] about From the Kryptia to the CIA: A historical view of intelligence gathering
JP’s Adventures in Spyland: First dates and spilled drinks
It was cold. What is it that they say? “Bone chilling?” Yeah, that was about right. And it was windy as all hell, too. It was as if God had looked down and said “Ya know what, Gabriel? (one of his main angels) I haven’t messed with J for a minute…watch this…” I mean, I knew that the area I had deployed to was known for its cold and windy winters but good Lord. Overall though, I … [Read more...] about JP’s Adventures in Spyland: First dates and spilled drinks
JP’s Adventures in Spyland: Sightseeing and a bit of shopping
Check out Part 1, "Room Service" here. Once I had “paper walked” -- mapped -- my tentative routes and filled my belly, I figured that it was time to hit the streets and do some spy sh-. OK full disclosure – "spy sh-" meant, at that point, nothing more than looking like the bumbling, lost tourist that I actually was. In an optimal situation, I would have been met by … [Read more...] about JP’s Adventures in Spyland: Sightseeing and a bit of shopping
JP’s Adventures in Spyland: Room service
Note: The following articles in this series may have taken place during real-world events... or it may have just been a training exercise... either way, no methods, sources or secrets were or will be divulged. This is all generic stuff that you can read in any "spy" novel---so take a puff of your inhaler and calm down, OPSEC Nazi. As soon as I stepped out of the … [Read more...] about JP’s Adventures in Spyland: Room service
Airspace conflict before Open-Skies, Korean Airlines Flight 007
For many people born after about 1975, the 80’s was a time of adventure and rebirth from the gas shortages and economic downturn of the decade before. The first space shuttle, Columbia made its maiden flight in 1981; movie goers could take in everything from Terms of Endearment to Friday the 13th; and the geek in us could spazz out over the first personal computer launched by … [Read more...] about Airspace conflict before Open-Skies, Korean Airlines Flight 007
College and my success at failing to fit in – Part 1
Something just wasn't right. I knew that I was probably overreacting, but I also knew that my instincts had saved my ass more times than I could count, and the times that I didn't listen were the times that said ass got kicked. I looked around at the people in the room, and it seemed that they could sense the uncertainty as well. Every now and then I could hear muttering … [Read more...] about College and my success at failing to fit in – Part 1