Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Recommended Reading list

Applicants to the CIA’s National Clandestine Service (NCS) received CIA’s Recommended reading list as they progress through the recruitment process. CIA recruiters often give applicants the names of 1 or 2 recommended books before the phone interview. Applicants who successfully pass CIA’s initial phone interview receive CIA’s Recommended Reading list along with other documents, prior to attending a CIA information session, held at various hotels throughout the country. NCS recruiters expect applicants to be familiar with CIA’s mission, know the name of CIA’s Director and demonstrate an interest in foreign affairs. NSC recruiters will ask applicants to discuss word events throughout NCS’s interview and recruitment process. I remember an NCS recruiter asking me what intelligence activity was unique to CIA, the answer was Covert Action. CIA is the only government agency authorized to conduct covert operations abroad with the approval of the President of the United States. During my employment at DIA, DIA’s Directorate of HUMINT (I considered transferring to DIA’s HUMINT Directorate) emphasized they did not conduct Covert Activities. CIA also conducts Special Activities, which I will describe in a later blog posting about CIA’s Special Activities Staff. I was handled by a Case Officer from CIA’s Special Activities staff during my termination process from CIA.