Real life British spies should not assume they will live a life similar to James Bond – instead MI5 is trying to recruit candidates that can blend into the background and go easily under the radar
MI5 is recruiting undercover spies and it has suggested the only boring talent that candidates require is having the “ability to blend into the background”.
The British security agency is recruiting mobile surveillance officers (MSOs), who will be required to follow suspected terrorists around the streets of Britain on foot or in cars. And it seemingly wants potential spooks to be bland instead of being like fictional spy hero James Bond so that they can easily go under the radar.
All would-be spooks will have to pass a six-month training course, which one surveillance officer described as being “physically and mentally exhausting”.
In an Instagram ad for the role, the Security Service wrote: “Can you blend into the background? Being a mobile surveillance officer means every day is different,” adding candidates “don’t need any qualifications”.
According to MI5 the job is crucial to undercover operations and those who are able to pass training will play a key role in preventing terrorist attacks. Bosses say they have recruited ex-members of the Armed Forces and the police, plus university graduates and young people starting out in their first jobs.
In an ad for the job on its website, the agency said: “Being an MSO means every day is different. Surveillance is one of MI5’s key investigative resources in protecting against threats to national security from terrorism and espionage. You could be out on foot or in a car, and where you are and what you are doing depends on who you are following and why.
“It’s about blending into the environment naturally. As an MSO you will enjoy huge variety every day and know that you are helping to keep the country safe.”
It also explained candidates’ suitability and aptitude will be assessed before they are recruited, and after they have completed the course they will receive training to refresh their existing skills or learn new ones. One psychology graduate, who recently passed the course, said: “My first day was a whirlwind and I had no idea what I was letting myself in for.”
Describing the training, the newbie spook explained: “It’s not every day you walk 25,000 steps a day around London over two weeks and have someone on your shoulder assessing your every decision.”
Surveillance officers are deployed on most MI5 operations in the UK and have aided the capture of dangerous terrorists.
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