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(U) SIGINT: The Family Business (repost)
FROM:
Kunia Regional Security Operations Center
Run Date: 12/24/2003
(U) Note from SIGINT Communications: This article appeared on December 4th.
(U) Working at a field site often gives you the feeling that your coworkers are like a second
family. It has certainly seemed that way for me in my three short years as an NSA employee.
But, for many of us, our coworkers actually are our family, too. In my case, my father has been
an agency employee for the past 30+ years. Although I started out believing my situation to be
a rather unusual one, I've come to realize that this is much more prevalent than I once thought.
(U) NSA has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, even though my dad was
never able to share any details about what he did for a living. When I was very young, and
asked him why there were giant golf balls on top of the building, he told me that it was because
he worked in a golf ball factory. I can't believe I fell for that one! Now that I've been hired by the
agency, I have a more accurate understanding of the world to which my father disappeared
every day and what actually goes on behind those reflective windows of the headquarters
building.
(U) When I started my career, I often wondered what people would think if they found out my
"family secret" - that my dad worked at the agency, too. What a surprise it was to find out from
practically day one that so many other employees are related to one another, too! It became
something of interest to me to take note of how many husband and wives, sisters and brothers,
children and parents, etc. actually are employed by NSA. One coworker's father, mother, stepfather and brother all work at the Agency.
(U) After celebrating NSA's 50th Anniversary, I have realized that not only does NSA have a long
and proud history, but also that my family is a part of that history. I'll never grow tired of the
"Are you any relation to .......?" question because I realize there is a legacy to carry on. And
someday I may also be able to proudly tell my children, "It's because I work in a golf ball
factory."
(U//FOUO) Note from SIGINT Communications: Are you also part of a multi-generational NSA
family? Are there any third-generation NSA'ers out there? If so, we'd like to hear your story!
"(U//FOUO) SIDtoday articles may not be republished or reposted outside NSANet
without the consent of S0121 (DL sid comms)."
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DERIVED FROM: NSA/CSSM 1-52, DATED 08 JAN 2007 DECLASSIFY ON: 20320108