Giving A Hand To The Master.
On occasion, Thomas and I help each other. Below, the entry I cite, is designed to do that. He failed to "define" what NOC is. I found an appropo definition of it.
NOC, or Nonofficial cover is a term used in espionage (particularly by the CIA) for an agent or operative who assumes a covert role in an organization without ties to the government he or she is working for.
For example, an agent sent to spy on a foreign country might pose as a journalist, a businessperson, a worker for a non-profit organization (such as a humanitarian group), or an academic. Nonofficial cover is contrasted with official cover, where an agent assumes a position at a seemingly benign department of their government, such as the diplomatic service. If caught, agents under nonofficial cover are usually trained to deny any connection with their government, and do not have many of the protections offered to (for example) accredited diplomats who are caught spying. Some countries have regulations regarding the use of nonofficial cover—the CIA, for example, has at times been prohibited from disguising agents as members of certain aid organizations, or as members of the clergy.
The degree of sophistication put into nonofficial cover stories can vary considerably. Sometimes, an agent will simply be appointed to a position in a well-established company which can provide the appropriate opportunities. Other times, entire front companies can be established in order to provide false identities for agents. Examples include Brewster Jennings & Associates, set up by the CIA (and made famous as the nominal employer of exposed agent Valerie Plame). The use of front companies can be dangerous, however, as the exposure of a single agent will expose the entire operation.
This is not meant to undermine him, but as he and I are both often noted as stating that "words mean things," I (and I alone) felt it necessary to define what the term "NOC" meant to those not familiar with it.
Outside this definition, one would only associate the term as it is used in the movie "Mission: Impossible" where the "NOC list" ended up in the open; that being, a CIA list of all known NOC agents.
To make this perfectly clear, Valerie Plame was neither a NOC agent, nor was she a covert operative. Her job at the CIA was that of an analyst, plain and simple. There is no way anyone can "blow the cover" of an analyst because such agents in the CIA have no cover to blow.
The Bunny ;)
On occasion, Thomas and I help each other. Below, the entry I cite, is designed to do that. He failed to "define" what NOC is. I found an appropo definition of it.
NOC, or Nonofficial cover is a term used in espionage (particularly by the CIA) for an agent or operative who assumes a covert role in an organization without ties to the government he or she is working for.
For example, an agent sent to spy on a foreign country might pose as a journalist, a businessperson, a worker for a non-profit organization (such as a humanitarian group), or an academic. Nonofficial cover is contrasted with official cover, where an agent assumes a position at a seemingly benign department of their government, such as the diplomatic service. If caught, agents under nonofficial cover are usually trained to deny any connection with their government, and do not have many of the protections offered to (for example) accredited diplomats who are caught spying. Some countries have regulations regarding the use of nonofficial cover—the CIA, for example, has at times been prohibited from disguising agents as members of certain aid organizations, or as members of the clergy.
The degree of sophistication put into nonofficial cover stories can vary considerably. Sometimes, an agent will simply be appointed to a position in a well-established company which can provide the appropriate opportunities. Other times, entire front companies can be established in order to provide false identities for agents. Examples include Brewster Jennings & Associates, set up by the CIA (and made famous as the nominal employer of exposed agent Valerie Plame). The use of front companies can be dangerous, however, as the exposure of a single agent will expose the entire operation.
This is not meant to undermine him, but as he and I are both often noted as stating that "words mean things," I (and I alone) felt it necessary to define what the term "NOC" meant to those not familiar with it.
Outside this definition, one would only associate the term as it is used in the movie "Mission: Impossible" where the "NOC list" ended up in the open; that being, a CIA list of all known NOC agents.
To make this perfectly clear, Valerie Plame was neither a NOC agent, nor was she a covert operative. Her job at the CIA was that of an analyst, plain and simple. There is no way anyone can "blow the cover" of an analyst because such agents in the CIA have no cover to blow.
The Bunny ;)
posted by Syd And Vaughn | 8:26 PM
1 Comments:
Most people get their knowledge about spying from tv shows or movies and maybe a novel. DOC needed to be explained and you did a good job. Your conclusion is right on. Rawriter
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