The CIA Director’s Protective Staff: Who Protects the CIA Director?
This past summer I had the unique privilege, as a former CIA agent, of being invited to attend the first reunion of the men and women that have had the unique and distinct honor of protecting the CIA Director since their humble beginnings in 1953. The first protectee was then CIA Director, Allen Dulles, who ultimately has been the longest-serving DCI (the title evolved from Director, Central Intelligence, “DCI” to the one more recently used, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, “D/CIA,” due to the restructuring of intelligence community organizations). George Tenet was the second longest-serving Director of the CIA (from 1997-2004).
Throughout more than 66 years of CIA close protection service, this group has also provided protection for other protectees under the auspices of the DCI, which include the CIA Deputy Director (DDCI). This unique group has grown, advanced and endured many challenges over the decades and during the CIA’s history. They have operated during several wars and global conflicts, intelligence, and covert operations endured controversies, terrorist attacks, and provided the daily support necessary to keep senior CIA officials safe in every corner of the world.
They have operated during several wars and global conflicts, intelligence, and covert operations endured controversies, terrorist attacks, and provided the daily support necessary to keep senior CIA officials safe in every corner of the world.
Immediately following the attacks of 9/11, this group’s capability was quickly stretched to their limits when additional agency directors, executives, and others were temporarily added to their list of protectees overnight. These responsibilities were in addition to the increased levels of security for the DCI and DDCI at that time.
Shortly after these attacks, the 9/11 Commission made a recommendation to create the position of Director of National Intelligence and, under the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, the U.S. Director of National Intelligence was established. In 2005, President Bush nominated John Negroponte as the first Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and Lt. Gen. Michael Hayden as the first Principal Deputy (PDDNI).
What this meant for the CIA Director’s protective detail was that two more principals were now added to their responsibilities for providing close protection.
Today, the newly rebranded group has the official title of Directors’ Protective Staff (DPS) and now includes four primary protectees (and others as directed).
This reunion of the DPS included two days of events that allowed current and former DPS Special Agents the opportunity to assemble at the CIA headquarters to celebrate and commemorate 66 years of continuous protective operations for the leadership of the CIA and the DNI.
During these two days, the group was addressed by DCI Gina Haspel, DDCI Vaughn Bishop, DNI Dan Coats, and PDDNI Sue Gordon. They delivered their own unique perspectives and appreciation for the men and women of DPS and their service, which included stories of being under DPS protection. Their messages were introspective and heartfelt, appreciative, sometimes humorous, and even emotional at times.
Photo taken inside the famous blue hut that sits on the Korean DMZ with Director Tenet and his wife Stephanie (far right) and John McLaughlin (former Deputy DCI and Acting DCI), being briefed by a U.S. Army Commander. A North Korean soldier looks through the window trying to identify who was in the room with all the extra security. (From Author’s collection)
I spent nearly six years on the DPS along with many colleagues protecting DCI Tenet, as well as DDCIs Gordon and McLaughlin. Because of the intensity of our dedication and the importance of our mission, I know I can speak for others when I say that we were all “family.” We supported one another and understood the challenges we all faced, personally and professionally: It took an extraordinary level of teamwork and commitment to continue our mission 24/7/365.
Also on one of our panel discussions, we were joined by one of the first agents assigned to protect DCI Dulles in 1955, James, and who was the oldest agent to attend our reunion and probably the oldest living agent today.
James shared the panel with several other former and current DPS agents whose service amounted to nearly seven decades. It was a great time of reflection and discussions of how much has changed over the years.
Photo included in the author’s book – The Protected. L to R, former CIA Directors, Gates, Tenet, Webster and former President George Bush (who also served as CIA Director), Lynda Webster (wife of William Webster)
One of the most memorable moments James shared was when he escorted DCI Dulles to Maine to provide a CIA global threat briefing to a young democratic candidate in the Presidential primaries. That young man was John F. Kennedy.
Also on the panel was the first female DPS agent, Diane, who joined the protective detail in the early ’80s and when William Casey was Director. She described her experience as both her “best and worst experiences” of her professional life. Protecting Director Casey could be arduous and exasperating but Diane made us all laugh when she said, “You try executing a rolling vehicle dismount in high heels.” It’s a little hard to imagine, but even in the early ’80s, flats weren’t allowed for women when she first became a protective agent.
It was amazing to be reminded of the transformation from agents carrying only a six-shot revolver in the ’50s: There were no long guns or automatic weapons, no armored vehicles, radios or secure communications, nor any advanced equipment, and minimal training. As the incredible advancements were outlined and discussed at this special reunion, we were all so impressed with how far things have come and felt a renewed sense of nostalgic pride and camaraderie all over again.
Like the President’s Secret Service and other protective programs, the dedicated men and women of the DNI and CIA Director’s Protective Staff come from various backgrounds and possess an incredible mix of skillsets: former military, law enforcement, academia, athletes, intelligence and security professionals, and more. To be able to join the DPS, one must already be an employee of the CIA and pass additional screening, interviews, physical fitness testing and months of extensive training before becoming part of a unique group of close protection professionals.
Their sole assignment is to protect the most senior intelligence executives of the CIA and DNI all around the world, as those executives carry out their duties and responsibilities of overseeing and leading the 17 combined organizations that make up the Intelligence Community (IC) and ultimately report to the President of the United States.
Those will always be some of the most memorable years of my life.
— Mike
Special note: This article was submitted and reviewed by the CIA Publication Review Board and it was determined that it contained no classified information. In addition, Agency approval for publication of this material does not represent Agency endorsement or verification of or agreement with this work.
