Blog
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Feb 28, 2019 Ask Molly: February 28, 2019
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Feb 22, 2019 Ask Molly: February 22, 2019
@MaceTheSpaceDog
@CIA #AskMollyHale What’s your favorite thing about working for the CIA?
Dear @MaceTheSpaceDog,
Driving an Aston Martin, of course. Just kidding!
The best thing about working for the CIA is being part of an important mission bigger than yourself, working alongside dedicated and humble Americans who are passionate about protecting our country. You’re part of a team, a family, even if your role is a less traditional one, like “Molly Hale.”
The people who work at the Agency come from a range of backgrounds, and we have almost every job imaginable here. In addition to the jobs you may think of when CIA comes to mind, such as analysts and operations officers, we also have accountants, mediators, doctors, photographers, and even hairdressers. (Yes, even hairdressers! We have disguise artists who must create elaborate and believable disguises for our operations officers overseas, so we employ people who are seamstresses, hairdressers, and makeup artists. Pretty cool, huh?)
That’s one thing about working at CIA that many people don’t realize: Once you become a CIA officer, the opportunities are endless.
~ Molly
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Feb 19, 2019 To Catch a Spy: 25th Anniversary of the Aldrich Ames Arrest
Aldrich Ames was one of the most damaging moles in CIA history. He compromised numerous CIA assets in the Soviet Union, some of whom were executed.
Twenty-five years ago this week, Ames was arrested because of the work of a small team of CIA officers led by a quiet, unassuming gray-haired woman named Jeanne Vertefeuille.
The Spy Hunters:
Jeanne Vertefeuille is a far cry from the spy hunters portrayed in movies, but appearances can be deceiving.
She started at CIA as a typist in 1954, and as professional opportunities for female officers became more numerous, she got assignments at various posts overseas. She learned Russian and finally found her niche in counterintelligence.
In the spring of 1985, after an alarming number of Agency assets run against the Soviet Union disappeared in rapid succession, Jeanne was asked to lead a five-person investigative team to figure out what or who was behind the disappearances.
The task was a long and exhaustive one, complicated by the fact that many in the CIA did not believe there was a traitor in their midst. Among the other explanations floated was the idea that outsiders were intercepting CIA communications.
An extensive search ultimately yielded the answer: Ames, who was initially working in the Agency’s Soviet counterintelligence division, began spying for the USSR in 1985.
Ames’ position gave him the perfect cover because he was authorized to meet with Soviet officers for official purposes. It was his extravagant lifestyle, however, that brought him under the task force’s suspicion in November 1989.
The Breakthrough:
The big breakthrough came in August 1992, when Jeanne’s colleague, Sandy Grimes, discovered Ames made large bank-account deposits after every meeting with a particular Soviet official.
The FBI took over the investigation and used surveillance, as well as evidence discovered in Ames’ house and on his home computer, to build the case. He was arrested outside his home on February 21, 1994.
During his nine years of spying, Ames received payments from the Soviet KGB that totaled $2.5 million. The KGB kept another $2.1 million earmarked for Ames in a Moscow bank. Ames is the highest paid spy in American history.
On April 28, 1994, Ames plead guilty and is now serving a life sentence without parole in a federal prison.
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Feb 14, 2019 Ask Molly: February 14, 2019
Dear Molly,
I met someone on an online dating site who says he’s a CIA officer, but I don’t know if he’s telling me the truth. The more we talked the more things didn’t match up. He said that because he works for the CIA, I had to do a background check or else he couldn’t keep talking to me. How do I know this person is really in the CIA, and if this email is legitimate? Is it safe to submit my personal information?
~ Plenty of Phish
Dear Plenty of Phish (and all you lonely hearts out there),
It’s almost Valentine’s Day. If you, like many Americans, are looking for love online, be careful. Please DO NOT give your personal information to anyone on a dating site claiming to be a CIA officer. Best case, they have an overblown ego and bad judgment; worst case, it’s a scam designed to steal your financial information. Don’t take the bait. Unfortunately, our security officers have been hearing more frequently about this particular con. It’s a type of “phishing” scam. (For those that don’t know, “phishing” is the criminally fraudulent process of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, account numbers, credit card details, and other personally identifying information via electronic communication).These con artists go onto dating sites and chat up potential victims, pretending to look for love or a date. He (or she) weaves a sorry tale about being a super-secret CIA officer working on a dangerous mission overseas, and then drops the devastating news: she/he will no longer be able to communicate with you unless you submit to a CIA background investigation. Or he needs to designate you as a beneficiary in case he dies on his super-secret mission. Or some other compelling, but fake, reason why he needs your personal information.
Don’t fall for it. We may be one of the world’s most secretive and mysterious workplaces, but the CIA will never solicit information from you in this way. If you or anyone you know has been a victim of this scam, or if you come across someone impersonating a CIA officer, please contact your local law enforcement agency or the FBI.
A word to the wise: If it seems fishy, it’s probably phishing.
~ Molly -
Feb 07, 2019 Ask Molly: February 7, 2019
Dear Molly,
What are a couple of the biggest differences between the @FBI and the @CIA?
~ Who’s Who
Dear Who’s Who,
Great question. Lots of people get the CIA and FBI confused.
The CIA’s mission is to collect foreign intelligence overseas, where as the FBI addresses domestic issues.
The CIA does not have law enforcement authority and does not collect information concerning the domestic activities of American citizens. (We do, however, have our own federal police force called the Special Protective Services who are responsible for protecting CIA employees and facilities).
The FBI, on the other hand, is the US government agency that investigates crimes on American soil and against American citizens abroad. The FBI is a law enforcement agency and is responsible for intelligence matters in the United States, especially those directed against US citizens. We do frequently work closely with the FBI, but our roles in keeping America safe are very different.
Hope that helps clarify things!
~ Molly
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Feb 04, 2019 Have a Question About the CIA? Ask Molly!
Meet Molly Hale. She’s been the CIA’s public voice since 2002, responding to faxes, phone calls, emails, and snail mail sent to the Agency. Now she’s going digital.
Molly is venturing for the first time into the social media sphere. She’s going to be periodically answering your questions in a new series called: Ask Molly. Check the CIA.gov blog regularly for Q&A columns by Molly, as well as our official social media accounts.
“Molly Hale,” as you may have guessed, is a pseudonym. Over the years, there have been several different “Mollys,” including a few men! All are real people, who work at the Agency. Some were Molly for only a short time, while others served as Molly for years. It’s a unique role and one that we are excited to introduce to the social media world.
How to Submit a Question:
The easiest way to submit a question for Molly is on our official @CIA Twitter and Facebook pages using the hashtag #AskMollyHale.
You can also send an email to us via our comment form on CIA.gov (upper right hand corner). Just be sure to use our hashtag if you want your question featured.
A Few Ground Rules:
As anyone who follows us on Twitter or Facebook knows, we get tons of comments and questions that span the gamut from recruitment to conspiracy theories to history to policy.
There’s a lot that Molly will be able to answer and she can’t wait to see your questions. Unfortunately, there are also a few things she won’t be able to write about. Here’s what kinds of questions Molly will not respond to:
- She won’t be answering general recruitment questions (all that information is available on the cia.gov/careers portal). Nor can she check your application status.
- She won’t respond to conspiracy theories, trolls, or spam.
- She cannot comment on FOIA requests. All FOIA inquires will still have to go through the usual FOIA request process, outlined here.
- This one should be obvious, but… she won’t answer anything classified.
If we receive several similar questions, we may combine them into a single question for Molly to answer. We may edit and shorten questions for clarity and brevity. We may also pull questions from other sources, such as those asked at recruitment events, during public panel discussions, in the media, and the like.
Now, to kick off our inaugural Ask Molly column, here’s a quick peek of a common question asked of Molly upon (virtually) meeting her:
Dear Molly,
Dear Pseudōnymos, Great question. Molly’s not my real name. It’s my persona, and I guess also my informal job title.
Who are you?
~ PseudōnymosMy surname “Hale” is a tribute to Nathan Hale, the first American executed for spying on behalf of our country. You may remember his famous last words, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” We have a life-size statue of him outside our Headquarters building.
No one remembers exactly why “Molly” was chosen as my first name, other than it’s a common American girl’s name. I wasn’t always “Molly” though. Years before “Molly Hale,” OPA used the name “Grace Sullivan” – inspired by the “GS” level government worker—to respond to public queries.
Many different “Mollys” have come before me, and I’m honored to be among this long line of distinguished public servants. One thing all of us have in common (besides working for one of the world’s most famous spy agencies, of course!) is our commitment to engaging with you, the American public, and helping you understand your intelligence agency better.
As for my real name: That’s classified.
~ Molly
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Jan 23, 2019 Honoring the Legendary Tony Mendez
- Argo - Rescue of the Canadian Six by Deborah Dismuke
Perhaps best known for masterminding the daring 1980 rescue of six American diplomats from Iran, an operation made famous by the film Argo, Tony will be remembered for his patriotism, ingenuity, and lifelong commitment to our Agency’s mission.
A native of Eureka, Nevada, Tony started working for the Agency in 1965 and spent 25 years as a document counterfeiter and disguise maker in what was then called the Office of Technical Services.
During the height of the Cold War, Tony painstakingly devised a number of critical deception operations in places like Southeast Asia and the former Soviet Union.
In 1979, Tony and other CIA technical specialists created a dummy movie-production company in Hollywood and delivered disguises and documents that made possible the escape of six American diplomats from capture in Iran in 1980. The CIA closely held the story until revealing it to the public for the Agency’s 50th anniversary celebration in 1997. The 2012 award-winning film Argo, produced by and starring Ben Affleck, dramatized this story of deception and intrigue for the world to see.
Tony was awarded an Intelligence Star for his work on the Argo operation and later received a Trailblazer Award for his profound contributions to CIA’s mission throughout his career. He retired in 1990 as a Senior Intelligence Service officer.
In 2013, in honor of Tony’s legacy, we unveiled a painting during the Directorate of Science and Technology’s 50th anniversary celebration that depicted Tony and another unnamed officer creating the fake documents for the Argo operation.
Fittingly, it was painted by a fellow CIA DS&T officer, Deborah Dismuke: An artist representing other artists at work in pursuit of national security. Deborah was both the first female and first Agency officer to have artwork displayed in the CIA Intelligence Art Gallery.
“The visual concept of the painting came from Tony,” remembers Deborah. “I invited him to come to the Agency so that we could stage the scene. I will truly miss him.”
Tony Mendez embodied the pioneering spirit, boldness, and derring-do that have defined CIA since our founding. We’re truly grateful for his exemplary service to our country.
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Dec 21, 2018 50 Years of "Operation Santa Claus"
Fifty years ago, we started “Operation Santa Claus” as a way for the CIA family to donate new toys to disadvantaged children during the holidays. Since our formal collaboration with the Marine Corps’ “Toys for Tots” program in 2000, the Agency’s toy collection has grown each year.
The 2018 Operation Santa Claus campaign was a great success. The Agency collected 40 boxes of toys that will be gifted to children in need this year.
On December 7th, Deputy Director Vaughn Bishop and his wife Marian Bishop presented the collected toys to Brigadier General William Seely III and the Marine Corps Reserve in support of the Marines’ Toys for Tots campaign.
The Marines thanked the CIA for their collections, mentioning that we continue to be one of the largest donors to the Toys for Tots foundation in the Washington, DC area.
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Dec 17, 2018 Sending Holiday Wishes Near and Far
The holidays are upon us, and this time of year we reflect upon the sacrifices of Agency officers past and present, those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and those who are serving in some of the most dangerous and inhospitable parts of the world away from loved ones.
In an effort championed by CIA leadership and Deputy Director Vaughn Bishop’s wife, Mrs. Marian Bishop, the CIA family has come together to show officers overseas just how much their service and sacrifice are appreciated. Throughout the month of December, CIA officers and their families have been writing heartfelt holiday messages for colleagues in far-flung parts of the world.Mrs. Bishop kicked-off the letter-writing campaign by sharing her experience as an Agency spouse. “If you have ever served overseas on a hardship tour, you know how rewarding the experience can be. But the demands of the job can take a heavy toll on our officers and on their family members as well.”
Mrs. Bishop also visited with local children and helped them to craft their own holiday wishes. “You’ll help lift the spirits of some truly dedicated patriots who are sacrificing on our behalf.” The children were excited to make pictures of trees, rainbows, houses, cars, and spaceships. A young girl commented, “I want to draw to make them feel better when they get it.”In the coming days, we will share some of these very special messages on CIA’s official Twitter and Facebook pages. Stay tuned…
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Dec 06, 2018 School Without Walls
CIA officers recently visited School Without Walls, an experiential learning high school in Washington D.C., as part of the Agency’s public outreach. The officers briefed the students on the CIA’s mission, history, and people, and clarified common misconceptions about what it is like to work for the Agency. The officers described a day in the life of a CIA officer and reassured the students that in all but the most sensitive of cases, CIA officers can tell their families generally what they do and where they are traveling in the world. There are also intra-agency support networks for the families of officers serving in dangerous locations. To learn more about what it is like to work for the CIA, click here: “Life at the CIA: Fact or Fiction”. Following the discussion, students presented hand-written thank-you notes to the officers (example shown below).
Dear Molly,
Is Any movie about the CIA in anyway accurate or true? Even a little bit. #AskMollyHale
~ Film Buff 007
Dear Film Buff 007,
All Hollywood films and television shows, of course, take liberties when they portray the CIA, CIA officers, or intelligence work. I can’t really generalize and say “this film is accurate,” and “that film is total bunk.” They all probably contain some elements of truth and some of fiction.
Instead, I’d highly encourage you to explore our #ReelvsRealCIA series, which seeks to demystify the CIA’s mission by comparing what’s portrayed in Hollywood to what happens in reality. We’ve reviewed several Hollywood productions, both on our website and on social media. (You may have seen our recent Black Panther tweets during the Oscars or our Argo tweets from a few years ago).
Here are some links to get you started:
Lastly, an insider tip: If there’s one Hollywood habit that drives everyone who works for the Agency bonkers, it’s calling us agents. It might seem silly, but in the real-world lexicon of spies there’s a huge difference between the two: Americans who work for the CIA are called “officers,” while foreigners who provide information or intelligence to the CIA (the actual “spies”) are called “agents.”
Thanks for the great question!
~ Molly