So before you read on just know that the points below are misconceptions, not truths. I will gladly explain the truths as we go along since there are so many things that Hollywood likes to use to glamorize the lives of FBI agents. In truth the average FBI agent leads a rather mundane life and doesn’t go whipping out their gun for just anything that looks like a threat. The most threatening thing that a lot of them fight on a regular basis isn’t terrorism, but boredom. Just because action is so prevalent in the movies doesn’t mean it’s that way in real life.
Think about it, if the FBI had to fly into action every day it would mean that our country was under constant attack from within our borders. Terrifying, right?
5. FBI agents are always getting into shootouts.
There are shootouts in which the FBI are involved, but they aren’t so prevalent that they happen all the time. Some, like this one that is based on a real occurrence, do in fact get kind of nasty and can be terrible to hear about, but it’s an anomaly rather than a common thing. Most agents don’t even use their gun except to qualify on a range 4 times out of the year.
4. All FBI agents get to use a private jet.
Despite what you see in the movies only the Director of the FBI gets to use the private jet, as it’s a privilege reserved for those at the top spot. All other agents either have to fly commercially or drive to wherever they’re going if they’re on assignment. And without any real surprise that doesn’t happen all that often either. Most agents tend to stay where they’re assigned.
3. Some Special Agents are Profilers.
Hollywood really likes to play this role up because it offers another specialized skill that sets some agents apart from others. The truth of it is that there is no such classification as ‘profiler’. A lot of agents are adept at this skill and it is something that many of them are taught during their time in the bureau as a common skill. You know what it is? A big chunk of profiling is attention to detail.
2. A lot of FBI agents have tragic pasts.
In the movies having a dark or tragic past is something that makes a character just a little more interesting, a little more intense, and a lot more dedicated to their job, or so it seems. In truth most FBI agents have a happy life and have families. They know what they’re signing up for and understand the risks but many of them are quite content with their lives.
1. There’s very little desk work in the FBI.
Agents don’t go out in the field as often as you would think. The majority of their job is to sit behind a desk and do paperwork or busywork, which can amount to the same thing. FBI agents aren’t as gung ho to get up and go solve crimes and thwart terrorist attacks as Hollywood would have you believe. A lot of them spend their days behind a desk just trying to get through the day.
Hollywood makes the FBI look a lot more interesting than it really is.
Follow Us
