They Call It Intelligence: Memoirs of My Career in Military Intelligence 1953-1974

I have had a fantastic career, or demi-career, in the field of military intelligence. I have been deeply involved in world affairs in a way few could ever hope to be, and I have had opportunities for travel and learning, research and writing, and teaching that also come to only a few. Because of the cloud of secrecy which enshrouds the field of intelligence, much of it unwarranted, many young people coming out of college and universities are missing a similar opportunity to serve, and to learn this fascinating business.I have found this true among my professional colleagues. Particularly, during the Vietnam War period, young people developed great suspicion and in some cases revulsion toward the military and in particular, intelligence. Academic "liberals" were completely "turned off" by anyone connected with the business. There has long tended to be a gulf between educators and government servants. The academics think of government servants as nameless cogs in a bureaucratic morass, without any real intellectual base. And, government servants tend to think of academics as dreamers who don't really know what is going on, and who spend their time dealing with minutia. There are, of course, elements of truth in both views. But, what I hope to do here is break down some of this opinion with respect to military intelligence. The field needs new, talented, concerned, eager young people; men and women. It is not getting enough of high caliber. They aren't beating the walls down, because they don't know what they are missing. I hope this book will show them.