Job Discussion Forums

[double agent]

Hey

Just thought this would be the board to post this query.

Do you know if the Peace Corp is linked directly or indirectly to
the US Military ?

I know there are lots of yanks in saudi...so ...

[Paul in Saudi]

No.

I am a retired American Army officer. There were very specific rules protecting the Peace Corps from a military taint. People who served in the PC, for example, could not be assigned to the Military Intelligence branch for example. The PC operates by invitation in host countries. It is not under military command or influence.

[Stephen Jones]

The Peace Corps was founded by Kennedy in 1961.

It has nothing whatsoever to do with the US military.

Whether it will be perceived as doing so is a different matter. There has been a severe erosion of the difference between the military and NGOs in certain areas in recent years. In Afghanistan the policy of the American government of linking aid relief to military and intelligence co-peration has meant that most aid agencies, including Medecins sans Frontieres, have left because they have become military targets.

[Paul in Saudi]

Of course by definition, the Peace Corps is not a 'Non-Governmental Organization.'[/list]

[Stephen Jones]

The point I am making Paul is that whilst you and I might know that the Peace Corps is not linked with US Military or Intelligence, other people may not have that perception, and the fact that even a French non-gevernmental organization has to leave Afghanistan because of a perceived relationship with the US occupying forces, suggests that this perception is even more likely in the case of the Peace Corps.

Most countries, including the US and UK, have regularly used journalists as undercover intelligence agents, with the expected resultant problems for bona-fide journalists. So far EFL teachers have generallly avoided that taint (presumably because any self-respecting spook would object violently to beign asked to adopt such a low class identity). Nutty religious organizations have been quite prepared to use EFL as a cover for thier underground (an doverground) activities however.

[dtomchek]

Hello:

I was in the Peace Corps and they have some pretty strict rules about any links with the military. For instance, when I checked, you could not have been in military intelligence for 10 years before signing up for the PC. If the in-country office finds out that you, as a volunteer, were in any way/shape/form conducting either political or religious work, you are out in about 3 days (less if they can get you an earlier flight).

That all being said, there are still rumors that every volunteer has to be able to hit a flying nickle in the air at 50 feet with a 357 magnum and so on...unbelievable as all hell but some people will believe anything they see on the net

[Paul in Saudi]

Hey, if it is on a computer, it has to be true.

The CIA has had a police for over a decade of not using (American) journalistic people as covers.

[veiledsentiments]

Paul

Unfortunately the CIA also has a history of not always following the rules set by Congress or their own policies.

VS

[Stephen Jones]

[Paul in Saudi]

Good point, TEFLs make great spies because we are so often at the very center of power in nations around the world. Yep, no need to have spies covered as diplomats, high-tech salesmen, or whatnot.

Schoolteachers have their hands on the very levers of power.

I wonder these paranoid posts will lead to anyone's death?

[Stephen Jones]

Dear Paul

Spies normally get cover as diplomats so they don't go to jail or get executed when they are caught.

The main purpose of spies is to spy on other spies anyway. Rare it is that either side digs out anything useful.

If we can persuade people that the CIA uses TEFLers as spies then we automatically become well-related and can get multiple contracts for all those who want to spy on American secrets, like the French, Israelis and the Republican party. We could even moonlight for the CIA. Beats private tuitions.

[double agent]

Well, THEY told me to sit and wait for
further instructions.

It has been years...and haven�t seen or heard from THEM yet.
And I haven�t recieved money yet either.

Who are THEY...?
1. a future Mid East Employer
2. a current Mid East Employer
3. CIA
4. M15
5. The Mounties
6. My parents.
7. My current employer.

[Paul in Saudi]

More likely we would find more teachers going home in two pieces; don't you think?

[Stephen Jones]

[double agent]

Stephan wins.

Although the option was not listed, in Arabia you just
have to figure it out.


Dear Paul. Hope I did not spark more paranoia. Clearly
it is there, and of course teachers are not in positions to mingle in the wrong circles.
Be safe.