Air Force Office of Special Investigations: The truth is out there

Although interviews with Air Force Office of Special Investigations agents can be stressful for subjects, an agent's objective is not to get anyone into or out of trouble. Rather, an agent's aim is simply to find the unbiased truth.

Blackanthem.com, SCHRIEVER AFB, Colo., July 16, 2005

Open the door marked "OSI Waiting." Go in, pick up the phone receiver by a two-inch-thick glass reception window and wait for someone to answer.

"May I help you?" says a quiet voice.

"Yes, I have an appointment with Special Agent Cable."

"Okay, have a seat and I’ll let him know you’re here," she replies. The line goes silent.

Sit down and discreetly scan the room. Is there a camera or some sort of surveillance device watching? Forget the reason for visiting—experience a rapid conscience check. Any skeletons?

The door swings heavily open. A sharp suit with coat and tie fit precisely on a young professional. "Watch out for the door," he warns as it glides closed with a profound thud. Bulletproof.

Enter a surprisingly plain-looking hallway and walk toward a Spartan interview room. The young man looks like any other well-dressed civilian working at the base. But get to his mission and that of other special agents, and discover where ordinary leaves off and extraordinary takes over.

This is the world of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations detachment: a world of counterintelligence activities, a world where military crime is investigated, scrutinized and, most importantly, solved every day.

A typical day can range from taking reports and calls and conducting interviews, to responding to events—rain or shine, hot or cold—to researching and documenting cases, to gathering and securing evidence. An agent can work long, unpredictable hours and is exposed to not only the random elements of nature but the basic elements of human nature as well.

What does it take to cross over into this demanding career?

"Tenacity," answers Special Agent Robert "Jay" Cable, AFOSI Detachment 807 special agent in charge.

He speaks softly but distinctly, like a man accustomed to avoiding eavesdroppers. He shakes hands firmly and subtly moves the interview out of the hallway.

"We want people who want to be in OSI, period."

Cross-training individuals with only a passing interest in the field would probably be better served elsewhere.

Agents come from all walks of life, can be either gender or any race. Versatile, persevering, motivated, and highly analytical are other highly desired traits. Agents tend to mix those qualities with a desire to participate on a team.

It’s a compelling mix. They have the latitude to work their cases independently, but all agents pitch in whenever and wherever needed. It’s the factor that drives an agent to carry his own weight and help his teammates carry theirs.

"People are attracted to the law enforcement profession for many different reasons," said Agent Cable. "Most people feel that they want to make a difference."

Others seek a challenge.

"A lot of people want to be a part of something special, something small that’s unique and elite," said Agent Cable. "Not everybody seeks that opportunity."

A little time spent with the Schriever team shows the objective has been met for its members. One young agent stops by before taking off for leave. Another covertly "rearranges" the superintendent’s usually pristine desk. They share small talk and wisecrack easily. All are comfortable with one another.

On the case, though, they are all business. Close-knit, proficient detachments like this one around the globe are their own best recruiting tool, said special agents here.

Capt. Greg Schuhmaker is an OSI candidate stationed here. "I’m really lucky. I got to work closely with these guys for more than a year (in my current job)."

He initially sought OSI upon entering the Air Force, but the timing wasn’t right. The pieces are falling into place now.

"These guys are really something, and I was so impressed that I knew I had to go into OSI and work with a unit like this," he said.

For Det. 807’s Special Agent Michelle Richmond and Agent Trainee Phil Senter, the stories are similar.

"I had worked with [OSI] agents before and I was very impressed with their professionalism. They were always topnotch; I liked the integrity they showed," said Agent Richmond.

For AT Senter, his interaction with OSI occurred in Kuwait. He got picked up for agent training on his second attempt. A lack of available jobs squashed his first application.

After attending technical school, agent trainees spend a probationary year learning the nuts and bolts of OSI - general criminal investigations. Lessons cover a wide range including drugs, rape and murder.

But life in an OSI unit is not simply about catching or thwarting bad guys.

"We’re not out to get anybody. We don’t work for the commander or the judge advocate office. We’re in search of the truth," said Agent Cable.

This is one reason for the business apparel with no hint of rank to be found, even though special agents and trainees are still part of the Air Force and the Department of Defense. Getting to the truth with no bias and with no doubt means rank has to stay outside investigations. This is also why OSI is a separate reporting unit, not within the installation’s chain of command.

"We deal with people’s lives—not just their careers, but their lives," said Agent Cable. "People we investigate can get court-martialed, get dishonorable discharges, bad conduct discharges ... they may have trouble getting employment or firearms. If convicted, they carry it around with them for life. So [our job] is something we take very seriously, and it does give me tremendous joy when someone who’s been wrongly accused is proven innocent."

Conversely, "I’ve had wives cry and plead with me that their husband could never have done that to their child and I’m a big bad person to them, and six months later they come up and shake my hand because they had no idea. So it’s good all the way around," he said.

Fortunately, trouble is not a factor today. This visit is harmless, not connected with one of OSI’s many current investigations. Prepare to leave and shake hands with the agents. No reason to be nervous after all—there are people working behind the bulletproof door.

Move through the door to the sound of a telephone ringing, a quiet voice answering. The door shuts with a quiet snick of the latch.

The truth is in there.

By  Tech. Sgt. Kate Rust
50th Space Wing Public Affairs