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  3) But where the millenials are really stupid is in their failure to recognize the doom that awaits them. Congress has a 200 year tradition of ALWAYS betraying the citizens who fight this country's wars. In the 1990s, Congress rewarded the victors of the Cold War by throwing them out on the streets -- 40% of the US Army were dismissed and 25% of the Intelligence Community.

  Anyone who has been in the intelligence world and who tries to find a job in the commercial sector will quickly discover just how little value corporate America places on government experience and on the specialized skills of the intelligence world. Yes, defense and intelligence contractors hire people with intelligence backgrounds -- but when Congress cuts the budgets, those corporations are laying off their own employees, not hiring new ones.

  If you are 24 years old, you can make the jump from intelligence work into unrelated commerical fields. But if you are a 35 year old with a family to support and a need for a decent salary, you are badly screwed.

  The idea of there being "free agents" in government service is ludicrous -- the one and only thing that Intelligence management does well is to tightly "control" people. Via the security clearances --which can be yanked at any time. at any time. Unlike the corporate world, government service has only one employer.

  Don Williams Posted May 15, 2007 12:12 PM
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  1) The one accurate statement I saw in the above article was Tom Waters' reference to having a "stupid grin".

  The "millennials" are not highly talented -- they are some of the most ignorant people on the planet. People who think that Sept 11 happened because "they hate our freedom". People too stupid to look back the the 1998 interviews Bin Laden gave to US TV networks and to realize what's provoking the rage and hatred of the USA within the Islamic world.

  2) The millenials are too stupid to realize that the US Intelligence Community and DOD do not exist to protect the USA -- they exist to protect a global empire in which huge profits flow to a favored few while the huge costs-- in blood and taxes -- are dumped off onto the common US citizen. The "millenials" actually believe George Bush's bull -- and think that we are in Iraq to "spread democracy" rather than to seize oil reservoirs for Dick Cheney's buddies. Ask the people of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia how much "democracy" they've enjoyed in the past 50 years as Houston looted their only resource.

  Don Williams Posted May 15, 2007 12:11 PM
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  To focus on the individual story is missing the point. It's not about this one guy who should have done some better financial forecasting for his family. The issue is the potentially disruptive gap in talented staff being groomed as the future leaders of the community. I'm more encouraged than discouraged by the collaborative tendencies of the so called millennials. Developing some decent managers and leaders, or frankly hiring them from relevant analytically-oriented industries, who can work with and apply these new workplace behaviors, should be within reach of current IC leaders to implement. Pay probably could be somewhat better given the high quality and highly motivated people they do attract, but one could say the same for DoD's , State's, DHS' or HHS' career strategists and planners. These people almost don't exist, except in uniform. That is where the real national security problem lies. There is also a stunning dearth of talent and creativity amongst the career civilians, and solid PMFs (Presidential Management Fellows) can't make up for the numbers needed or offer the depth of, again, management experience to solve the leadership gap.

  David Bak Posted May 10, 2007 11:24 PM
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  There's a reason everyone doesn't go into government service. I don't specifically work in the intelligence community, but I suppose I'm one of the 'millennial group' kids. I've been working for the Navy's Engineering command for three years now, straight out of school, and as far as I'm concerned I'll be doing so until I retire. I know I could make significantly more as a contractor in the same exact position I'm in right now, but I'm happy with what I'm doing. Right now I couldn't see working a 'regular' job, I get to see things no civilian will see, I get to work on things that will help our sailors and soldiers, and I get enough money to support myself. That plus the additional benefits I get in exchange for the smaller salary. Everyone knows you get paid less for public service, and anyone who is suprised at that isn't too bright.

  Adam McCann Posted May 10, 2007 9:42 PM
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  As a military intelligence officer of 8 years, I'm glad I read this article before spending my hard earned money in the service of my country on Mr. Waters' book. How is it that he came to the "realization" after 3 years of CIA employment that it wasn't going to pay enough for his yuppie lifestyle? One would assume if he really was among America's "best and brightest" he would have figured this out BEFORE he joined the Agency. I'm sure there were many other applicants, just as qualified as he, capable of filling his coveted position who understood and were willing to take on the financial sacrifice inherent in the job. Thankfully this country still has some people who understand dedication to things other than the almighty dollar and are willing to sacrifice for a career in government service. But, that's the sad point revelation of this article, isn't it? The CIA gets what they deserve; people in it for themselves who just want to get the credentials so they can write a book in a couple of years and go on to better paying jobs. Am I supposed to feel sorry for this guy because he couldn't afford to pay for his wife's "fertility treatments"? Furthermore, I don't buy into this reporter's claim that the intelligence agencies require an "outdated kind of devotion". Certainly, the IC needs better management and should put more emphasis on promotion based on performance as well as tenure. But exactly when did "devotion" become an outdated concept in our society? If this is the status of our nation's culture then we might as well just contract out the entire federal government. Then we can all "serve" for a profit. I'm glad I'm not a member of the so-called new "millennial" generation.

  Tyrone West Posted May 10, 2007 2:49 PM
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  During my 27 years as a military intelligence officer, I was always put off by the paternalism of the intelligence community. No mentoring butan attitude that we know what is best for you so watch and learn what the seniors in the community do. Doesn't sound like much has changed since I retired from the Navy in 1996. Not a formula for transformation If this article is correct it sounds like the IC long term human capital strategy is hire in numbers and count on a few good people staying because they can afford to be patriots.

  Joe Mazzafro Posted May 9, 2007 10:25 PM
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  So a 36 year old "Business Consultant" decides to quit his job and take a job as an entry level "analyst" and then quits shortly after because the pay isn't what he is accustomed to? Are we supposed to feel sorry for this guy and design a personnel system around this type of person (the article terms him a "millennial"). Give me a break. It looks like his desire for bigger pay trumped his desire to serve his country.

  James McRae Posted May 9, 2007 2:32 PM