94 AMERICAN SPYAlthough I was headed to Latin America, the CIA initially earmarked
me for a job in a pro-Soviet country in French-speaking Africa. Following
graduation from CIA paramilitary training and the operations course, and
certification as CIA operations officers, those of us who graduated eagerly
awaited word of our first overseas assignments. When we joined the
CIA, we agreed in writing that we would serve anywhere the agency sent
us, based on the oft cited, always priority-taking “needs of the service.”
One unwritten exception to that rule was that the Directorate of Opera-
tions would not “draft” a new officer for Africa service if he did not list
Africa Division on his overseas assignment “wish list.” Although I had not
requested Africa Division, I was still drafted for the number two slot in a
two-man Africa station. My adviser at the Farm was from Africa Division,
and he’d apparently recommended me for that challenging job. He must
have thought I was the right kind of guy to go up against the Soviets on
turf they controlled. Either that or he didn’t really care for me at all.
Before deploying to Africa, I’d first have to master the French language
during ten months of language school, and I’d require more advanced
denied area surveillance training. The job would have been a rewarding and
demanding first tour, but my new bride wasn’t keen on the idea of contracting
a flesh-eating disease on the front porch of our jungle bungalow. (Note to self:
next time don’t let her read the State Department post report until after we’re
wheels up.) Also, after three years of law school and a year and a half of CIA
training, I was eager to get out of Washington and start working overseas as
soon as possible. Training for Africa would delay me for another year.
I met with Ted Price, former CIA deputy director of operations who
was then head of the career management staff, and told him about my
predicament. I respectfully pointed out that I already spoke fluent Spanish
and Latin America Division had so many slots to fill they were drafting
officers who spoke no Spanish, including a very sharp classmate of mine
who spoke fluent French (but no Spanish) and wanted to serve in Africa.
Might not the needs of the service be equally met if my friend and I were
to quietly swap divisions? That way we could both deploy immediately,
without the added delay and expense of language school. I didn’t say it out
loud, but I was thinking, Call me crazy, but this sounds like a win-win-win to me!