Joining the CIA after military service may not get you the red-carpet treatment, but it is a viable option for veterans looking to make the most of their skills and experience.
In the Tom Clancy universe, Jack Ryan is a mild-mannered history teacher and former Marine whose military skill set combined with history and economics degrees lead him to a career as an analyst at the CIA.
Jack Ryan may be fiction — especially considering he eventually ends up as president — but an economics expert or a veteran with a strong knowledge of military strategy can be just as valuable a part of the intelligence team as an operative.
CIA recruits can range from those with a high school diploma or a GED to a PhD. A former enlisted recruit with six years of service can be as viable as a candidate with a doctorate in cybersecurity.
Candidates sought by the agency have earned degrees that range from engineering, economics, psychology, and technology and from law school to war college. Most important to those transitioning from service, CIA places a high value on the skills, dedication, and unique perspectives former military members bring to their mission. Veterans play a vital role in all departments of its diverse workforce.
The agency encourages former military — who understand the importance of OPSEC — to apply and offers specific benefits tailored to veterans who chose to join. For example, current openings, such as paramilitary officer, are paying hiring bonuses up to 25% of base pay.
To read a primer on why veterans may be a good fit for the agency, visit Militarytimes.com.
Author: Military Times
Published with permission. MilitaryTimes.com is a part of the Sightline Media Group, formerly known as the Army Times Publishing Company, which first published Army Times in 1940. Throughout its history, the company has a strong heritage and tradition of meeting the highest standards of independent journalism and has expanded with publications serving all branches of the U.S. military, the global defense community, the U.S. federal government, and several special interest, defense-oriented industry sectors.