An Airman opens the door marked “OSI Waiting.” He goes in, picks up the phone receiver by a 2-inch-thick glass reception window and waits for someone to answer.
(I-Newswire) - “May I help you?” said a quiet voice.
“Yes, I have an appointment with Special Agent Smith.”
“OK, have a seat and I’ll let him know you’re here,” she replies. The line goes silent.
The Airman sits down and discreetly scans the room. Is there a camera or some sort of surveillance device watching? Forget the innocuous reason for visit -- he experiences a rapid conscience check.
The door swings heavily open and appears a sharp suit with coat and tie fit precisely on a young professional.
“Watch out for the door,” he warns as it glides closed with a profound thud. Bulletproof.
They enter a surprisingly plain-looking hallway and walk toward a Spartan interview room. The well-dressed young man looks like anyone else. But when it comes to his mission, the ordinary leaves off and the extraordinary takes over.
This is the world of an Air Force Office of Special Investigations detachment: A world of counterintelligence activities, a world where military crime is investigated, scrutinized and, most importantly, solved every day.
A typical day can include taking reports, conducting interviews, responding to events, researching and documenting cases or gathering and securing evidence. An agent often works long, unpredictable hours and is exposed to not only to the random elements of nature, but the basic elements of human nature as well.
What does it take to cross over into this demanding career?
“Tenacity,” said Special Agent R, AFOSI Detachment 807 special agent in charge. His, and others names, are withheld for security reasons. He speaks softly but distinctly, like a man accustomed to avoiding eavesdroppers. He shakes hands firmly, but subtly moves the interview out of the hallway.
“We want people who want to be in OSI -- period,” he said.
Cross-training individuals with only a passing interest in the field would probably be better served elsewhere.
Prospective agents come from all walks of life, but it’s highly desired they be versatile, persevering, motivated and highly analytical. Agents tend to mix those qualities with a desire to participate on a team.
It’s a compelling mix. They have the latitude to work their cases independently, but all agents pitch in whenever and wherever needed. It is the factor that drives an agent to carry his or her own weight and help his or her teammates carry theirs.
“People are attracted to the law enforcement profession for many different reasons,” Agent R said. “Most people feel that they want to make a difference.”
Others seek a challenge.
“A lot of people want to be a part of something special, something small that’s unique and elite,” he said. “Not everybody seeks that opportunity.”
A little time spent with the team here shows the objective has been met for its members. One young agent stops by before taking off for leave. Another covertly “rearranges” the superintendent’s usually pristine desk. They share small talk and wisecrack easily. All are comfortable with one another. On the case, though, they’re all business.
Close-knit, proficient detachments like this one are their own best recruiting tool, said special agents here.
“I’m really lucky,” said an OSI candidate. “I got to work closely with these guys for more than a year ( in my current job ).”
He initially sought OSI upon entering the Air Force, but the timing was not right. However, the pieces are now falling into place.
“These guys are really something, and I was so impressed that I knew I had to go into OSI and work with a unit like this,” he said.
For a few other agents here, the stories are similar.
“I had worked with ( OSI ) agents before and I was very impressed with their professionalism,” a special agent said. “They were always top-notch; I liked the integrity they showed.”
After attending technical school, agent trainees spend a probationary year learning the nuts and bolts of OSI such as general criminal investigations. Lessons cover a wide range including investigating drugs, rape and murder.
But life in an OSI unit is not simply about catching or thwarting bad guys.
“We’re not out to get anybody,” Agent R said. “We don’t work for the commander or the judge advocate office. We’re in search of the truth.”
This is one reason for the business apparel they wear with no hint of rank to be found, even though special agents and trainees are still Airmen who are part of the Air Force.
Getting to the truth with no bias and with no doubt means rank has to stay outside investigations. This is also why OSI is a separate reporting unit and not within the installation’s chain of command.
“We deal with people’s lives -- not just their careers, but their lives,” Agent R said. “People we investigate can get court-martialed, get dishonorable discharges, bad conduct discharges … they may have trouble getting employment or firearms. If convicted, they carry it around with them for life. So ( our job ) is something we take very seriously, and it does give me tremendous joy when someone who’s been wrongly accused is proven innocent.
“I’ve had wives cry and plead with me that their husband could never have done that to their child and I’m a big bad person to them, and six months later they come up and shake my hand because they had no idea. So it’s good all the way around,” he said.
“We’re not here to get anyone in trouble or out of trouble,” said another special agent. “We’re after the truth.”
Fortunately, trouble is not a factor on this day. The Airman’s visit is harmless and not connected with one of OSI’s many current investigations. He prepares to leave and shake hands with the agents.
He moves through the door to the sound of a telephone ringing and a quiet voice answering. The door shuts with a quiet snick of the latch.
The truth is in there.
by Tech. Sgt. Kate Rust 50th Space Wing Public Affairs
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