What is the CIA motto?
Asked by: Ms. Kelli Bartoletti | Last update: February 9, 2026Score: 4.8/5 (55 votes)
The CIA has both an official and an unofficial motto: the official one is "The Work of a Nation. The Center of Intelligence.," while the unofficial motto, deeply ingrained in the agency and engraved at headquarters, is from the Bible (John 8:32): "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.".
Does the CIA have a slogan?
Our motto is: "YE SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE." We recognize our people as our most important resource.
What is the CIA mission statement?
At its core, our mission is to gather and share intelligence to protect our Nation from threats. Our highest principles guide our vision and all that we do: integrity; service; excellence; courage; teamwork; and stewardship.
What does the CIA stan?
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
What do CIA agents say their job is?
Our professionals play critical roles in preempting threats and furthering national security objectives—from working against terrorism and cyber-attacks to preventing the spread of biological weapons and more.
We Are CIA
What is a CIA Agent's salary?
CIA agent salaries vary significantly by role and experience, generally following the federal GS pay scale: starting salaries can range from around $56,000 to over $100,000 (GS-10 to GS-12), while experienced officers can reach $160,000 or more (GS-13 to GS-15) with additional bonuses and locality pay, with some specialized roles starting around $69k-$110k.
What is a CIA boss called?
The role of the Director of the CIA (D/CIA) is to manage the Agency's intelligence collection, analysis, covert action, counterintelligence, and liaison relationships with foreign services. The D/CIA also oversees the management of foreign intelligence acquired by human sources, what we call HUMINT.
What is a CIA soldier called?
The CIA's formal designations for these individuals are paramilitary operations officers and specialized skills officers. Paramilitary operations officers often attend the Clandestine Service Trainee (CST) program, which trains them as clandestine intelligence operatives at an internal paramilitary training course.
Is CIA higher than FBI?
Neither the CIA nor the FBI is inherently "higher"; they are distinct agencies with different missions, jurisdictions, and authorities, operating in parallel within the U.S. Intelligence Community, with the FBI focusing on domestic law enforcement and the CIA on foreign intelligence, though they both contribute to national security and coordinate their efforts. Think of them as having different tools for different jobs: FBI for crime inside the U.S., CIA for intelligence outside the U.S.
What is the CIA not allowed to do?
The CIA is legally prohibited from acting as a domestic law enforcement agency, carrying out police functions, subpoenaing, or arresting individuals; its primary restriction is focusing on foreign intelligence, not U.S. citizens' domestic activities, though it can collect information on Americans for authorized foreign intelligence purposes (like terrorism) with strict oversight. Key prohibitions include operating within the U.S. for internal security, making arrests, exercising police power, and generally collecting intelligence on U.S. persons, though exceptions for specific, authorized foreign threats exist.
What are the three pillars of the CIA?
The three letters in "CIA triad" stand for Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability. The CIA triad is a common model that forms the basis for the development of security systems.
Is it hard to get a job at the CIA?
Getting into the CIA is extremely difficult due to a grueling, lengthy (up to 18+ months) and highly selective process involving intensive background checks, polygraphs, psychological evaluations, and interviews, requiring U.S. citizenship, a bachelor's degree (often 3.0+ GPA), clean drug/legal history, and a willingness to relocate to the D.C. area, with high standards for integrity, analytical skills, language, and foreign experience.
Can CIA agents tell their family?
Yes, CIA officers can tell their families they work for the CIA, but what they can say depends heavily on their specific role (covert vs. overt) and job duties, with covert officers hiding their employment from most people, while overt employees might tell their families the general agency but not details, and former officers must submit writings for review to avoid revealing classified information. Immediate family, especially spouses, usually know the truth for security, but children are often kept in the dark until older, with officers living a "normal" life to blend in.
What is the slang for CIA agent?
Spook. Slang for intelligence officer. The primary meaning of spook is a ghost. Like them, intelligence officers operate in the shadows.
Does the CIA have a mascot?
Sting is our beloved mascot here at CIA and makes sure everyone is proud to bee CIA! You have most likely seen Sting's bumble bee face around campus and social media, hyping up our CIA Steels sports teams, and celebrating each student from orientation to graduation.
What does tertia optio mean?
The Latin motto of SAC is Tertia Optio, which means "Third Option," as covert action represents the third option within the realm of national security when diplomacy and military action are not feasible.
Who is the No. 1 Intelligence Agency?
As the world's premier foreign intelligence agency, the work we do at CIA is vital to U.S. national security. We collect and analyze foreign intelligence and conduct covert action. U.S. policymakers, including the President of the United States, make policy decisions informed by the information we provide.
Who is paid more, CIA or FBI?
Entry-Level: FBI special agents generally start with a higher base salary than CIA officers due to LEAP and law enforcement pay adjustments. Mid-Career & Senior Positions: Salaries for both agencies can exceed $150,000, but CIA officers in technical or paramilitary roles may earn more due to specialized skill bonuses.
Who has power over the CIA?
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is run by the Director of the CIA, currently John Ratcliffe, who reports to the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and manages the agency's operations, personnel, and budget. Ratcliffe, who took office in January 2025, is the first person to serve as both DNI and CIA Director and was appointed by the President with Senate confirmation.
What do CIA agents get paid?
CIA agent salaries vary significantly by role and experience, generally following the federal GS pay scale: starting salaries can range from around $56,000 to over $100,000 (GS-10 to GS-12), while experienced officers can reach $160,000 or more (GS-13 to GS-15) with additional bonuses and locality pay, with some specialized roles starting around $69k-$110k.
What is the most elite CIA unit?
The CIA's most elite units for clandestine paramilitary operations are within the Special Activities Center (SAC), specifically the Special Operations Group (SOG), which conducts tactical missions, and the Global Response Staff (GRS), an elite security force for personnel and facilities, drawing heavily from top military special operators like former SEALs, Green Berets, and Rangers. These units undertake high-risk missions, often supporting espionage and counter-terrorism, with SOG officers being highly decorated for valor, though their operations are deeply classified.
What are the 5 types of spies?
The five classic types of spies, from Sun Tzu's Art of War, are: Local spies (citizens in enemy territory), Inward spies (enemy officials), Converted spies (captured enemy agents turned to your side), Doomed spies (expendable decoys with false info), and Surviving spies (those who gather info and return). These types work together for comprehensive intelligence gathering, from local knowledge to strategic deception.
Has Trump picked a CIA director?
On November 12, 2024, president-elect Trump announced that he would nominate Ratcliffe to be the director of the CIA. He was confirmed by the Senate on January 23, by a vote of 74–25, and assumed office later that day.
Can you tell people you're in the CIA?
You generally cannot tell people you work for the CIA, especially if your job is covert, but for many overt roles, you can tell immediate family and sometimes close friends, though you must use discretion and not reveal classified details. The agency distinguishes between officers in the Clandestine Service (spies, who must keep their identity secret) and those in overt roles (like analysts or tech), but even overt employees are cautioned to use good judgment, as outside interest isn't always benign.
What is the most secretive US agency?
The National Security Agency (NSA) is widely considered the most secretive U.S. intelligence agency, known for its focus on signals intelligence (intercepting communications) and cryptography (code-breaking) and was once so hidden it was nicknamed "No Such Agency," operating largely unnoticed until major leaks, though specific clandestine units like the Army's Intelligence Support Activity (ISA) also maintain extreme secrecy.