Reading Reflection Insert: In Search of Enemies Reader: J. Scott
Date: June 12, 2025
Book: In Search of Enemies: A CIA Story by John Stockwell
Chapter: Early Career Decisions (Approx. Chapter 2)
Stockwell’s Critical Misstep: When Ambition Silences Judgment His quote: “You don’t turn down many good jobs and get other good offers.”
Sounds reasonable… but it’s actually the internal monologue of a man trying to rationalize a bad deal.
1. He Was the Best of a Bad Set of Options They chose him because others had already said 'hell no.' Not uncommon in military/civilian crossover ops: high visibility, high burn rate, murky command lines. The top dogs didn’t want to risk their records—he was just hungry enough to bite.
2. The Assignment Was a Career Trap in Disguise Low return, high profile, but no runway. Classic for operations that need plausible deniability and zero political fallout. Careerists already settled at GS-15 or above took a hard pass because they saw the setup.
3. Missed Opportunity: Insist on GS-15 Upfront He could’ve said, 'I accept the assignment—pending reclassification to GS-15 based on duties performed.' Not only would that not have been insubordination, it would’ve signaled leadership maturity and strategic clarity. They might have respected him more—or at least known he couldn’t be easily scapegoated.
4. The Silence Was Fatal Failure to clarify expectations or negotiate terms was the real operational sin. He treated it like a loyalty test instead of a business transaction—classic tactical loyalty overtaking strategic self-preservation. Seen often in FEMA and the military: someone capable gets tapped but doesn’t draw clear lines, and ends up the fall guy.
Takeaway: Never Confuse Being Chosen with Being Valued What Stockwell saw as an honor was actually an expedient decision by people who needed someone expendable but capable. And as seen in agency life: 'This guy can pull it off—and if he doesn’t, well, he wasn’t that high up anyway.'
Reader: J. Scott
Date: June 12, 2025
Book: In Search of Enemies: A CIA Story by John Stockwell
Chapter: Early Career Decisions (Approx. Chapter 2)
Stockwell’s Critical Misstep: When Ambition Silences Judgment
His quote:
“You don’t turn down many good jobs and get other good offers.”
Sounds reasonable… but it’s actually the internal monologue of a man trying to rationalize a bad deal.
1. He Was the Best of a Bad Set of Options
They chose him because others had already said 'hell no.' Not uncommon in military/civilian crossover ops: high visibility, high burn rate, murky command lines. The top dogs didn’t want to risk their records—he was just hungry enough to bite.
2. The Assignment Was a Career Trap in Disguise
Low return, high profile, but no runway. Classic for operations that need plausible deniability and zero political fallout. Careerists already settled at GS-15 or above took a hard pass because they saw the setup.
3. Missed Opportunity: Insist on GS-15 Upfront
He could’ve said, 'I accept the assignment—pending reclassification to GS-15 based on duties performed.' Not only would that not have been insubordination, it would’ve signaled leadership maturity and strategic clarity. They might have respected him more—or at least known he couldn’t be easily scapegoated.
4. The Silence Was Fatal
Failure to clarify expectations or negotiate terms was the real operational sin. He treated it like a loyalty test instead of a business transaction—classic tactical loyalty overtaking strategic self-preservation. Seen often in FEMA and the military: someone capable gets tapped but doesn’t draw clear lines, and ends up the fall guy.
Takeaway: Never Confuse Being Chosen with Being Valued
What Stockwell saw as an honor was actually an expedient decision by people who needed someone expendable but capable. And as seen in agency life: 'This guy can pull it off—and if he doesn’t, well, he wasn’t that high up anyway.'