In the early and middle 1950s, my parents (and eventually I) lived in Washington, DC. My father later said that it was not hard to spot CIA employees at parties. When asked what they did, they'd get a slightly embarrassed look and say, I work for the government. (Now I wonder whether the looks were all slightly embarrassed: I'd have supposed that some of them were smug.)
The CIA did try to recruit him--it had geologists--it had more or less everybody. But it was known for cheaping out on technical staff, offering them a GS-x, then, when the scientist had left the old job and was in town, saying that the budget had been cut--which never, ever, happened in those days--and offering instead a GS-(x-2).
The CIA did try to recruit him--it had geologists--it had more or less everybody. But it was known for cheaping out on technical staff, offering them a GS-x, then, when the scientist had left the old job and was in town, saying that the budget had been cut--which never, ever, happened in those days--and offering instead a GS-(x-2).