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Class 11: My Story Inside the CIA's First Post-9/11 Spy Class
A gripping insider's look at the post-9/11 CIA
In the weeks following the attacks of 9/11, the Central Intelligence Agency received over 150,000 resumes from people wanting to serve their nation. T. J. Waters became one of more than a hundred students admitted into the CIA's Clandestine Service to become Class 11, the first post- 9/11 training class. Filled with more information about the CIA's Clandestine Service Training Program than has ever been allowed into the public domain, Waters takes readers behind closed doors, where the trainees learned methods of subterfuge, mastering disguises, how to withstand interrogations, and how to cross into hostile territory undetected?and provides a moving portrait of ordinary Americans with the courage and determination to go to any lengths to protect their country.
In the weeks following the attacks of 9/11, the Central Intelligence Agency received over 150,000 resumes from people wanting to serve their nation. T. J. Waters became one of more than a hundred students admitted into the CIA's Clandestine Service to become Class 11, the first post- 9/11 training class. Filled with more information about the CIA's Clandestine Service Training Program than has ever been allowed into the public domain, Waters takes readers behind closed doors, where the trainees learned methods of subterfuge, mastering disguises, how to withstand interrogations, and how to cross into hostile territory undetected?and provides a moving portrait of ordinary Americans with the courage and determination to go to any lengths to protect their country.
320 pages, Paperback
First published October 19, 2006
17 people are currently reading
282 people want to read
About the author
T.J. Waters
6 books9 followersTJ Waters is a mystery-thriller writer in Central Florida.
His debut novel SECRET SIGNS won the International Book Award for multicultural fiction in 2011. His digital-only thriller series THE SUICIDE SQUAD, based on actual CIA case officers, is described as 'Mission Impossible meets Ocean's 11'.
TJ Waters spent four years as a co-team leader at US Special Operations Command. Prior to this he was in counterintelligence for US Central Command and under cover for the Central Intelligence Agency.
His debut novel SECRET SIGNS won the International Book Award for multicultural fiction in 2011. His digital-only thriller series THE SUICIDE SQUAD, based on actual CIA case officers, is described as 'Mission Impossible meets Ocean's 11'.
TJ Waters spent four years as a co-team leader at US Special Operations Command. Prior to this he was in counterintelligence for US Central Command and under cover for the Central Intelligence Agency.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
October 5, 2007
Thoroughly disappointing… The ‘insight into the CIA’ part was WAY overshadowed the author’s constant whining and complaining. I honestly don’t know why I finished the book. The only things I got out of it were a headache, then relief when it was over.
October 15, 2007
This book was a complete waste of time.
February 7, 2009
WANTED: Individuals to lie to friends and family, deceive total strangers, maintain constant vigilance and experience paranoia 24/7. Must be patriotic.
No, TJ Watson did not answer that ad when he joined the CIA. (And no, neither did Bernie Madoff.) But what kind of person wants to be a spy?
Watson’s book, Class 11 – My Story Inside the CIA’s First Post-9/11 Spy Class doesn’t answer that question, but it gives some hints. It helps if you are the kind of person who: Wants to be part of a larger cause; knows the world is made up of Bad People and Good People and believes our government knows the difference; has total conviction that you’re one of the Good Ones; writes admiring prose about the sacrifices you’re making for your country; and thinks you’re a little smarter than other people.
The biggest revelation is the occasional but stunning ineptitude of the CIA or at least its trainers. After an exercise designed to practice surreptitious entry into a country, Watson is called to a special meeting and nearly expelled from the program for making rude and suggestive comments during the exercise. Only he didn’t. Some other trainee did, but the instructor didn’t get the trainee’s name and mistakenly identified Watson from a deck of photos.
Before another exercise, another trainee drops out of the program, and Watson is substituted. After the exercise, a report strongly criticizes his performance. The description in the report is completely inaccurate. for example, the report refers to Watson “she”. The trainer wrote the report about the prior trainee before the exercise even occurred, then submitted it without change.
An instructor tells the trainees that when they are posing as private business people, they should carry a copy of their cover company’s 10-K report to make their story more convincing. As if most border guards in most countries even know what a 10-K report is! As if most business people even know what it is!
The trainers are embarrassed by these miscues, but uttering a profanity in the office seems to upset them just as much. Not reassuring to me as an American citizen. Can’t be very reassuring to Watson, either, since his life might depend on these people. But that’s his problem.
No, TJ Watson did not answer that ad when he joined the CIA. (And no, neither did Bernie Madoff.) But what kind of person wants to be a spy?
Watson’s book, Class 11 – My Story Inside the CIA’s First Post-9/11 Spy Class doesn’t answer that question, but it gives some hints. It helps if you are the kind of person who: Wants to be part of a larger cause; knows the world is made up of Bad People and Good People and believes our government knows the difference; has total conviction that you’re one of the Good Ones; writes admiring prose about the sacrifices you’re making for your country; and thinks you’re a little smarter than other people.
The biggest revelation is the occasional but stunning ineptitude of the CIA or at least its trainers. After an exercise designed to practice surreptitious entry into a country, Watson is called to a special meeting and nearly expelled from the program for making rude and suggestive comments during the exercise. Only he didn’t. Some other trainee did, but the instructor didn’t get the trainee’s name and mistakenly identified Watson from a deck of photos.
Before another exercise, another trainee drops out of the program, and Watson is substituted. After the exercise, a report strongly criticizes his performance. The description in the report is completely inaccurate. for example, the report refers to Watson “she”. The trainer wrote the report about the prior trainee before the exercise even occurred, then submitted it without change.
An instructor tells the trainees that when they are posing as private business people, they should carry a copy of their cover company’s 10-K report to make their story more convincing. As if most border guards in most countries even know what a 10-K report is! As if most business people even know what it is!
The trainers are embarrassed by these miscues, but uttering a profanity in the office seems to upset them just as much. Not reassuring to me as an American citizen. Can’t be very reassuring to Watson, either, since his life might depend on these people. But that’s his problem.
July 24, 2015
General overview of the CIA's post 9/11 spy class. Names, places and dates have been switched around to protect operators. The story is painted in broad strokes, but it is still interesting.
Why I started this book: Downloaded it from the library, because who hasn't always wanted to be a spy?
Why I finished it: Very interesting to see Washington and the CIA from an inside perspective right after 9/11.
Why I started this book: Downloaded it from the library, because who hasn't always wanted to be a spy?
Why I finished it: Very interesting to see Washington and the CIA from an inside perspective right after 9/11.
June 12, 2007
Written in a near insufferable "Scholastic News' diction with a thudding, banal earnestness, but offers more details of CIA training than any other book out there. Amazing that this was ever published... very informative.
Read
September 29, 2023To begin with i like T.J. Waters characterization of Dave's courageousness when he says "there are three main parts to the seal."
March 26, 2019
The subject matter could be interesting if the author wasn't so inept at crafting the written word. The extraneous details and quoted conversations he chooses to include droll on incessantly and aren't worth the aggravation of picking up this book. Yes, spies are cool. Yes, people want to know about the inner workings of the CIA. But no, we don't need the sexual innuendos that you slept with your wife. We don't need an entire paragraph on you opening your bills in your Florida backyard (it's a stupid state anyway). The humor that the author implied wasn't funny. The readers didn't get the jokes. At one point, he tried to be self-deprecated because he met the CIA director while soaking wet. It was written like he was mortified, yet to the reader it appeared to be a non-event. Not even worth mentioning. If you want a better book about a spy during the 90's and post 9/11 - read INSIDE THE JIHAD: MY LIFE WITH AL QAEDA by Omar Nasiri (he can actually write and English isn't even his first language).
August 11, 2008
Class 11 details the experience of the first class of CIA operation officers after 9/11 as they go through their year long training program. Each chapter covers a month, with the second half taking place primarily at "The Farm", the secret CIA training facility. The book goes into the most detail I've seen about the training experience and life on The Farm. This made for a very quick and entertaining read. The author is clearly proud the class and their accomplishments, but at times I felt it hurt the writing. The tone of the book, especially the introduction and closing chapters, serves as an interesting look at post 9/11 American mindset. Overall a very fun read.
November 4, 2015
I picked up this book because I love and miss Alias and I thought this would somehow fill the hole in my heart. But...no. I did learn a few cool things about the CIA. The author was careful not to reveal too much about CIA training practices...nothing about interrogation techniques, for example. But the writing lacked elegance and sophistication...overall, it was pretty base. I also tired fairly quickly of the September 11/American superiority propaganda.
August 6, 2011
I wish I could give this book negative five stars. The author came off as an arrogant prick who doesn't know a damn thing about the intelligence community and I'm pretty sure he ended up failing or getting fired because he didn't work with the CIA long. Just some idiot trying to make a quick buck off of a terribly written book that could have been so much better and interesting.
August 7, 2023
This book was given to us by Julie, a while ago. Never got to it, but we knew we had it. Currently, both Janet and I listen to a podcast by a former CIA officer, Bryan Dean Wright, who mentioned this book the other day. We dug it out.
This book gave a visual to new CIA recruits and how they are chosen and how they are trained. This is the “class” right after 9/11
The author, TJ Waters, goes into the specifics of the training, leaving out the real details and actual names of others, due to security of the topic. But he does go through how they used the. Irving a countryside for much of the training blending in. Ugh of the current events of the time.
I did learn from the book, parts were a little tedious, it a decent read, one you could skim sometimes. This clearly gives a better idea of the life that Bryan D Wright had with the CIA .
This book gave a visual to new CIA recruits and how they are chosen and how they are trained. This is the “class” right after 9/11
The author, TJ Waters, goes into the specifics of the training, leaving out the real details and actual names of others, due to security of the topic. But he does go through how they used the. Irving a countryside for much of the training blending in. Ugh of the current events of the time.
I did learn from the book, parts were a little tedious, it a decent read, one you could skim sometimes. This clearly gives a better idea of the life that Bryan D Wright had with the CIA .
November 19, 2023
An interesting inside look at the CIA training program post-9/11. Obviously there are things that can’t be shared and names and some details have been changed, but overall it was amazing to hear about the overwhelming response to join the agency after 9/11. I also appreciated how the diversity of this large class forced changes throughout the agency. Some were more clear than others in the book, but they were highlighted in the interview with author that was apart of the audiobook.
March 9, 2021
An interesting look at what the clandestine service members do after being recruited to work for the Agency. An interesting look at how 9/11 affected other parts of the government. A well written and enjoyable read.
January 11, 2020
I enjoyed some of the content and the information about the effects on family. Seemed to drag on quite a bit, and it felt like the book attacked the program quite often. Would not recommend.
April 8, 2020
Really enjoyed this. Can't believe they let him write it.
December 10, 2021
Seemed to be more of an exercise in vanity than an insightful memoir
June 30, 2022
Authored by a first time writer. The story however is enjoyable and interesting. Certainly a few insights gathered about the CIA and the type of work going on at the Farm.
August 19, 2022
A really cool book. Although some of the detail was yawn, the location and premise was super interesting. 7/10
November 19, 2012
My friend Josh recommended and then let me borrow this book. It was rather insightful to the how the CIA trains many of its employees. I enjoyed getting an "insider's" perspective on what the CIA deems important, and also to learn about the goals that they espouse. It was extremely patriotic and its author's main points were to address how the US is under threat with Terrorism and how the agency will confront it head on.
His class was the first class to enter into training post 9/11 and he promises that their resolve is more than enough to catch those that purposefully hurt innocent civilians. They are determined to catch Bin Laden. This promise seemed premature as it avoided the potential consequences of this undertaking as though these assignments were a kind of revenge.
One aspect of the author's classmates was that they all seemed flawless. Sure they all had interesting little mistakes that he told us about, but in the long run these were unimportant. In all, I did not see too much humanity, but rather a obligation to patriotic duty. His stories of their camaraderie were nice, but they were only short lived since his teams were always being broken up. It seemed like life in the CIA lacked real relationships, and those that existed were always at risk with their odd assignments in foreign lands. He did always manage to remember people and bring them back into the story to make them less forgettable. I guess enduring these hard ships is what it takes to become a member of the CIA, and it makes me proud of them being so resolute, but I am also wary to have these people with such power who are trained to deceive. Do they deceive us on a national level?
I was impressed with the patriotism, but at the same time was confused by the changes that he said were made in the CIA after 9/11. This seemed to undermine the credibility of their training to have his superiors resign and to have those who took his and others places "shake things up" to better the CIA seemed questionable. I was not reassured with his promise that even though the CIA changes its leadership, it will not change the agency. I thought that this last promise was particularly insightful given the recent resignation of Petraeus etc.
This book did get me interested in watching the movies that they watched in the book and will leave me as ever interested in somehow securing that coveted tour of the CIA facilities.
His class was the first class to enter into training post 9/11 and he promises that their resolve is more than enough to catch those that purposefully hurt innocent civilians. They are determined to catch Bin Laden. This promise seemed premature as it avoided the potential consequences of this undertaking as though these assignments were a kind of revenge.
One aspect of the author's classmates was that they all seemed flawless. Sure they all had interesting little mistakes that he told us about, but in the long run these were unimportant. In all, I did not see too much humanity, but rather a obligation to patriotic duty. His stories of their camaraderie were nice, but they were only short lived since his teams were always being broken up. It seemed like life in the CIA lacked real relationships, and those that existed were always at risk with their odd assignments in foreign lands. He did always manage to remember people and bring them back into the story to make them less forgettable. I guess enduring these hard ships is what it takes to become a member of the CIA, and it makes me proud of them being so resolute, but I am also wary to have these people with such power who are trained to deceive. Do they deceive us on a national level?
I was impressed with the patriotism, but at the same time was confused by the changes that he said were made in the CIA after 9/11. This seemed to undermine the credibility of their training to have his superiors resign and to have those who took his and others places "shake things up" to better the CIA seemed questionable. I was not reassured with his promise that even though the CIA changes its leadership, it will not change the agency. I thought that this last promise was particularly insightful given the recent resignation of Petraeus etc.
This book did get me interested in watching the movies that they watched in the book and will leave me as ever interested in somehow securing that coveted tour of the CIA facilities.
February 28, 2015
There were a few interesting insights into the world of the CIA here, but not enough for me to recommend this book. I got a distinct sense that this book was somewhat "fictionalized" if for no other reason than it's pretty hard to document something that by its very nature isn't supposed to be documented. It felt embellished and padded. The dialogue more "script" than "transcript", the accounts more "reality show" than "reality", maybe.
I'm sure there was great stuff that he COULD NOT INCLUDE in the book for security reasons, (the author decries this in the afterward) but you can only read what's there, and what's there was a little thin.
My main complaint with Class 11, though, is the author's somewhat grandiose view of himself and the CIA's place in the center of the post-9/11 world. I got tired of being beaten over the head with how this "first post-9/11" class of CIA recruits was such a big deal, how they were "answering the call" and how much of the best and brightest they were, and how the whole world was watching them. (Cue Mike Myers: "We're not worthy!!") The world was watching, sure, but I'm not sure the nation's consciousness was so intently watching CIA recruits. (I mean they're spies, right?)
Seems to me there were a LOT of people "answering the call" post 9/11 (soldiers, cops, maybe?) and I'm not so sure that the CIA was the focus of everyone's attention, awe, and admiration the way this writer seems to want them to have been. Also this guy -- as a raw rookie -- seems to carry the attitude that he knows better than the people training him, which came off as pretty obnoxious.
Pride in one's craft is admirable, it just took on a bit of an arrogant center-of-the-universe tone here, that I found off-putting.
So, the book was a nice diversion, but disappointing.
Two stars. (cleverly hidden in a storm drain)
I'm sure there was great stuff that he COULD NOT INCLUDE in the book for security reasons, (the author decries this in the afterward) but you can only read what's there, and what's there was a little thin.
My main complaint with Class 11, though, is the author's somewhat grandiose view of himself and the CIA's place in the center of the post-9/11 world. I got tired of being beaten over the head with how this "first post-9/11" class of CIA recruits was such a big deal, how they were "answering the call" and how much of the best and brightest they were, and how the whole world was watching them. (Cue Mike Myers: "We're not worthy!!") The world was watching, sure, but I'm not sure the nation's consciousness was so intently watching CIA recruits. (I mean they're spies, right?)
Seems to me there were a LOT of people "answering the call" post 9/11 (soldiers, cops, maybe?) and I'm not so sure that the CIA was the focus of everyone's attention, awe, and admiration the way this writer seems to want them to have been. Also this guy -- as a raw rookie -- seems to carry the attitude that he knows better than the people training him, which came off as pretty obnoxious.
Pride in one's craft is admirable, it just took on a bit of an arrogant center-of-the-universe tone here, that I found off-putting.
So, the book was a nice diversion, but disappointing.
Two stars. (cleverly hidden in a storm drain)
February 10, 2013
I had seen this book on the shelf at bookstores before, but never pulled the trigger on getting it/reading it. Then, in 2012, I saw it included on a suggested professional reading list and decided to check it out. Now having completed it, I wish I had remained ignorant to its contents.
First of all, the book is quite unique. I know of no other purportedly nonfiction book that details the CIA's clandestine service training pipeline. This in itself should make it a worthwhile read, and I think it does.
But it is not an enjoyable read. Whatever skills the author has in business, clandestine operations, and other things, they do not extend to creating satisfying prose. Perhaps this is why the CIA agreed to allow the book to be published - they figured nobody would be able to tough it out all the way through to the end.
The other question that came up is why, if the author and his colleagues in the first post-9/11 clandestine service trainee course were so patriotic and devoted to service, is he no longer even a CIA employee when the book was published in 2006. I guess it didn't work out quite like he had in mind when he joined up.
In summary, there is value in this book for those who are looking to get a peek at what CIA clandestine service training might be like, but don't expect to be impressed with the writing or insights provided by the author. His efforts to portray his and his classmates' patriotism and purpose seem to fall flat now more than a decade after 9/11.
First of all, the book is quite unique. I know of no other purportedly nonfiction book that details the CIA's clandestine service training pipeline. This in itself should make it a worthwhile read, and I think it does.
But it is not an enjoyable read. Whatever skills the author has in business, clandestine operations, and other things, they do not extend to creating satisfying prose. Perhaps this is why the CIA agreed to allow the book to be published - they figured nobody would be able to tough it out all the way through to the end.
The other question that came up is why, if the author and his colleagues in the first post-9/11 clandestine service trainee course were so patriotic and devoted to service, is he no longer even a CIA employee when the book was published in 2006. I guess it didn't work out quite like he had in mind when he joined up.
In summary, there is value in this book for those who are looking to get a peek at what CIA clandestine service training might be like, but don't expect to be impressed with the writing or insights provided by the author. His efforts to portray his and his classmates' patriotism and purpose seem to fall flat now more than a decade after 9/11.
February 25, 2013
Floridian T. J. Waters had a good life, a successful job, and a woman in his life he planned to marry. Then the planes crashed into the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania. Feeling a need to help defend the country, Tom applies to the Central Intelligence Agency.
This is the story of the largest single class in the history of the CIA. An insider's view of how the training is done as well as meeting the people who also felt the call to duty. This is a fascinating look at an Agency few have the privilege to know. Tom is equally open about what's wrong with the Agency and their Old School training methods.
This was a fantastic read, humanizing and funny and engrossing. At times you'll want to slap the people involved for their stupidity. Other times you'll be wishing you could shake their hands. The Agency has long been abused, the butt of jokes, and at times they do drop the ball. But the people involved are sincere in the wish to do good, to keep this country safe. And some give their lives in that duty, many unacknowledged for years, possible even forever. Do yourself a favor and pick up this interesting book.
This is the story of the largest single class in the history of the CIA. An insider's view of how the training is done as well as meeting the people who also felt the call to duty. This is a fascinating look at an Agency few have the privilege to know. Tom is equally open about what's wrong with the Agency and their Old School training methods.
This was a fantastic read, humanizing and funny and engrossing. At times you'll want to slap the people involved for their stupidity. Other times you'll be wishing you could shake their hands. The Agency has long been abused, the butt of jokes, and at times they do drop the ball. But the people involved are sincere in the wish to do good, to keep this country safe. And some give their lives in that duty, many unacknowledged for years, possible even forever. Do yourself a favor and pick up this interesting book.
August 27, 2015
Fascinating topic, mediocre writing. The first post 9/11 spy class and the new techniques and tradecraft that use is fascinating information. How the classes are taught, how the CIA dealt with the new class size, how things have changed now that it’s no longer a gentleman’s game.
Waters had some interesting things to add. Retired former employees were brought on as contractors to deal with the extra students and some of them half-assed their job. One student made a very stupid comment during an exercise and picked a photo out of a lineup as to who did it. He picked wrong.
Waters did something that I was impressed with. He created a really good balance between his personal life as a newlywed and his life as a student. It was enough that I got a good idea of who he was but not so much that it felt off topic. But his patriotism and mediocre writing made him sound like a boy scout in a clearly CIA approved book. I think the writing may have been a bit better if the CIA hadn’t ghost written it.
Waters had some interesting things to add. Retired former employees were brought on as contractors to deal with the extra students and some of them half-assed their job. One student made a very stupid comment during an exercise and picked a photo out of a lineup as to who did it. He picked wrong.
Waters did something that I was impressed with. He created a really good balance between his personal life as a newlywed and his life as a student. It was enough that I got a good idea of who he was but not so much that it felt off topic. But his patriotism and mediocre writing made him sound like a boy scout in a clearly CIA approved book. I think the writing may have been a bit better if the CIA hadn’t ghost written it.
March 11, 2015
Class 11 reads like a non-fiction Tom Clancy novel with an insider's perspective on the first post-9/11 class of spies to complete CIA training and enter the field. The book details the sacrifices made by the members of this class in joining the CIA, as well as describing the rigorous training, both physically and psychologically. It was as much a page turner as any fiction book in its genre. At times, however, the content seems incomplete - perhaps purposefully due to the nature of the subject matter – but this still detracts from the reading as it thereby lacks depth and detail in many areas.
April 19, 2010
I felt this was one of the best books on going through the initial stages of spinning up as a case officer with the Agency I have read. This really only covers the author's entering the Agency, initial training and then his completion of his time at the Farm. The 9/11 piece really rvolves around the eclectic group this class represented as people from different walks of life sought to join the Agency after that day's events. It was a good read.
July 18, 2013
I found this book to be surprisingly informative about CIA ops training and it made me look at office buildings and my fellow-bus commuters in DC in a suspiciously new way. I gained a bit more respect for those out in this field who receive little recognition for what they do. The book was pretty well-written by the author and probably accurately recounted the pros and cons of the modern day CIA.
April 13, 2008
This was a quick, easy read. Because of the nature of who he works for, author was not too liberal in the operational details of the tradecraft and experiences he went through while training. But there were some interesting insights. I don't know if there was much of a plot, but..hey, it's non-fiction.
April 14, 2010
TJ Waters tell his personal story of going through CIA Case Officer training at The Farm. He does a pretty good job of explaining the reason behind their training, how the CIA structure works and what types of emotions he experienced during training. A good read for anyone who likes "life experience" type of reads.
July 8, 2011
amazing, very interesting to read about such a glorified government agency. but I felt kind of lied to since not all of the details of training are true, although obviously that comes with a book like this. but I've never seen a book before this one that has actually talked about CIA training at all.
December 21, 2015
This was fun, eye opening, and ultimately an affirmation of the relationships that we have which allow us to accomplish so much more than we would otherwise.
It is also an account of the interesting, sometimes very challenging, and occasionally hilarious training that new inductees into the CIA go through to prepare them for their first assignments.
It is also an account of the interesting, sometimes very challenging, and occasionally hilarious training that new inductees into the CIA go through to prepare them for their first assignments.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews