Frederick Wettering, Phi Kappa 1961
University of Illinois

Imagine that you are at a social gathering. And like all social gatherings, folks may ask what you do for a living. And as like many people, you give a half-hearted answer or embellish the story a little to make you sound more important than you really are, but what about the guy who says something very general like “Oh, I work in textiles” or “My work really isn’t important” and deftly changes the topic of conversation. Get’s you wondering, right?

Well imagine how Brother Wettering felt during his professional career. You see, Fred spent 35 years with the Central Intelligence Agency in their Operations Directorate. For those unfamiliar with what that is, Fred was a spy for the United States. “I was majoring in Political Science at the University of Illinois and the CIA came to campus my senior year to recruit graduating seniors to join their organization,” Fred offers. The CIA approached Fred for an interview. Soon thereafter, Fred was offered a trainee position with the CIA. “I had to go through a polygraph test and background check first; I passed those and was offered the position.” The CIA deferred his employment for one year so that Fred could complete his Masters degree, also in Political Science.

In 1962, Fred began his formal training.  It was during this time that Fred witnessed the inner workings of the government during a crisis – the Cuban Missile Crisis to be exact.  “I was a trainee, but I had the opportunity to observe some very interesting things play out.  There are special messages that go to our senior leaders in the military and government – they are called ‘Critics’ (short for Critical Information) – these messages kept everyone who needed to know informed about the movements of the Soviet Military during the quarantine of Cuba.  We came very close to World War Three.” 

Fred rose through the ranks of the Operations Directorate to senior manager where he supervised spies that came after him.  During Fred’s tenure in the CIA, he served in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.  Sometimes he served under “state cover” at Embassy’s.  “I witnessed the collapse of the Soviet Union and the fall of the Berlin Wall,” Fred comments.

In 1981, Fred was picked to serve on the National Security Staff for President Ronald Reagan and Vice President George H. W. Bush.  He served as the African Advisor/National Intelligence Officer for Africa and briefed the President and Vice President on issues of national security.  “I served under Reagan and Bush from 1981 to 1984.  They were fascinating men to work with,” he states.  Fred received numerous commendations after serving in the White House for his efforts.

Following his White House service, Fred was chosen as the National Intelligence Officer for Africa by the Director of Central Intelligence.  In this job, which he held for 3 years, Fred was the top intelligence analyst on Africa and produced over 25 National Intelligence Estimates on African-related subjects, including a pioneering study on the impact of AIDS.  He then returned to Operations, where he headed up all CIA activities in 2 important countries.

Later, Fred was chosen by the Director of Central Intelligence to be the CIA representative to the National War College.  At the War College, Fred served as a professor for 2 years where he taught intelligence gathering and analysis, foreign policy, and other courses.  “The War College is a graduate school where colonels from the various military branches and Navy captains go to acquire further education before becoming generals and admirals.”

After departing the War College, Fred served as Adviser to the Department of Energy’s Counterintelligence Office where he rectified the Department’s problems related to counter-intelligence.

In 1998, Fred retired to Florida with his wife, LaVonne, who was also a spy for the CIA.  “We met in the field,” he says with a chuckle.  Fred has won numerous medals and awards for his service to the United States, including the Intelligence Medal of Merit.   He currently teaches classes on government, international relations, and intelligence at the Lake Sumter Community College in Florida.

When asked what he would recommend to a graduating senior who may be interested in government service, specifically, the CIA, Fred offers, “Learn a language very well.  Look at the CIA website; there is a lot of helpful information there to get you started.  Real life experience and military service help in an application.”

Due to his background, Fred requested that a picture not be published along with this article.