Big Think The 3-step process to CIA training, revealed | Andrew Bustamante: Full Interview
Oct 13, 2025
In this enlightening discussion, Andrew Bustamante, a former CIA intelligence officer and founder of EverydaySpy.com, shares the untold realities of espionage. He debunks myths about spy work, emphasizing the subtlety and discrete skills required. Bustamante outlines essential traits for covert operatives and the rigorous CIA recruitment process. He introduces the RICE method for understanding motivations and discusses the economy of secrets, revealing how intelligence strategies can enhance personal relationships. Additionally, he offers insights on task management and overcoming task saturation.
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Spies Are Trained, Not Superheroes
- Real spies are built through training and blend into crowds rather than being glamorous superheroes.
- Effective covert work values anonymity and invisibility over charisma or spectacle.
The Value Of Being Unremarkable
- The ideal covert operator is ordinary and unremarkable so they are overlooked in any culture or region.
- Traits like adaptability, creativity, resilience, and a desire for anonymity are highly valued for field work.
External Validation Builds Loyalty
- Recruiters seek candidates dependent on external validation because that creates institutional loyalty.
- Training then channels that dependence so the officer's primary allegiance becomes the agency.