Spy School 101: M.I.C.E Make RATS!

I haven't had many opportunities to talk about what I term "my former life" as an FBI operations specialist working in counterintelligence. I tend to not spread that around. But now that I'm writing this new J.J. McCall series all those years of experience have really become part of my writing craft, especially in terms of character development. I think it will ultimately help bring a more authentic experience to the reader.

What's Counterintelligence at the FBI?

When foreign intelligence agencies send their spies to the United States to collect information (yes they still do that--even some of our so-called allies), it is the FBI's job to thwart there efforts. Hence, the Counterintelligence program. Our job was to identify spies and neutralize them (but not in a bang bang shoot 'em up way like you see in the movies). Through a variety of methods, we tried to make sure they had a damn tough time accomplishing their missions.

One of the best ways for intelligence officers to gain classified information is to recruit human sources--or even better if they volunteer.

From M.I.C.E. to RATS!

I think one way some stories really miss the mark on telling spy/espionage tales in the motivation. What is the motivation that makes someone betray their country? No, it's ususally not avenging a murder of a loved one or friend. This motivation will draw eye rolls from anyone in "the business" because spies (at least the ones serving under diplomatic cover in their U.S. Embassies) do. not. carry. guns! I know an FBI Agent (several actually) who used to forget theirs in the desk drawers. The spy world not about gunplay. It's more like an intriguing game of chess. With that said, there are deaths in my upcoming book The Seven Year Itch, A J.J. McCall Novel, but not due to FBI agents and spies shooting at each other. Just. Doesn't. Happen. That's so Hollywood.

In the CI world, we use the acronym M.I.C.E. to characterize motivations.

Money. Ideology . Compromise. Ego.

Usually people spy for a combination of these reasons. But, in my experience, one usually tends to dominate.

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What motivates your characters? Any questions?

More Spy School to Come...

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