Jimmy and his classmates had largely completed their courses, and what followed was a new training module added after 9/11, focusing on surveillance and counterterrorism.
After 9/11, the FBI shifted its primary focus to counterterrorism, transferring a significant amount of resources to this area. The FBI began to adopt the CIA's methods of acting proactively, gathering intelligence early on, and using the vast database of fingerprints and criminal records in FBI laboratories, as well as immigration files, to conduct surveillance on suspected terrorists, tracking their whereabouts and activities to prevent attacks from happening.
A vivid analogy is that before 9/11, the FBI was like a catcher in a baseball game, waiting for the pitcher to throw the ball and then responding. The CIA, on the other hand, was like the pitcher, taking the initiative and acting on gathered information.
However, after 9/11, the FBI transformed its role, splitting into two parts. On one hand, they continued their work as catchers, and on the other hand, they stepped into the role of pitchers, proactively investigating and arresting suspects after accumulating information, rather than waiting for crimes to occur.
At the FBI Academy, Jimmy's class was the first group to receive counterterrorism training. At that time, the training content wasn't fully developed and was mainly focused on intelligence analysis.
The FBI brought in staff from the nearby Quantico-based FBI Labs to educate the trainees about the types of intelligence within the FBI system, the volume of such intelligence, the groups they would need to pay close attention to in their future work, some methods for obtaining intelligence, and related content about collaboration with other agencies. Previously, this information was generally not disseminated to trainees and was only reported to the intelligence analysis department.
The FBI Laboratory is one branch under the Science and Technology Division of the FBI. The lab provides free forensic services to FBI divisions, as well as state and local law enforcement—yes, the key word here is "free."
The functions of the FBI Laboratory include crime scene processing, case examination, testifying in court, and technical training, currently divided into three departments.
Biometric Analysis is responsible for the fingerprint database and DNA verification.
Forensic Response deals with crime scene investigations, ballistic testing, biological and chemical substance testing, as well as other tests involving radioactive or hazardous material, photo and video identification, and also includes a field unit that provides on-site forensic services and video recording to other departments.
Scientific Analysis analyzes the chemical and toxicological properties of substances, firearms residue, document and handwriting examination, tire and footwear tread analysis, as well as providing cryptographic analysis of criminal activities and illegal business practice analysis.
In 2003, the Terrorist Explosive Device Analytical Center (TEDAC) was established, which somewhat encroached on the ATF's business, but obviously, the ATF couldn't compete with the FBI.
For would-be agents like Jimmy, additional observation-related training was included, such as how to identify individuals showing signs of nervousness in public places, analyzing by appearance and clothing if someone is carrying dangerous items, and whether a suspect repeatedly visits public venues, among other things.
Another aspect of the training involved managing terrorist threats in large venues, such as sports arenas, shopping malls, and office buildings, including crowd evacuation and inspection of danger points.
The FBI now seemed almost fanatically focused on counterterrorism. According to information provided by the FBI Academy, in the six months following 9/11, the FBI headquarters redirected at least a quarter of its agents and intelligence analysts to work exclusively on counterterrorism, placing all registered experts in chemistry, explosives, physics, and so on, under surveillance planning.
For foreigners, especially those from the Middle East, the FBI conducted extensive screening in collaboration with immigration services, leading to numerous complaints and lawsuits against the FBI for infringing on citizens' privacy rights. However, under the overarching context of counterterrorism, such concerns were suppressed.
This is the origin of the earlier-mentioned transformation of the FBI from catchers to pitchers.
Jimmy and his classmates were nearing the end of their training at the FBI Academy, with only assessments and job placements left.
At the Academy, the assessment wasn't about taking tests as in college but instead involved directly handling case scenarios. In addition to the final assessment, there were ongoing evaluations, all of which factored into the final decision on whether one could become an FBI agent.
After completing their assessments, Jimmy and his peers were asked to fill out a form similar to our college entrance examination choices.
The FBI has 56 field offices across the United States, with over 400 resident agencies. Larger offices staff hundreds of employees, while smaller ones might have just over ten. These agencies are spread across all of the United States' cities, towns, and rural areas. Furthermore, the FBI has agencies in 62 countries worldwide.
Regardless of whether they were hired, everyone had to complete the form, and then the Academy would distribute an envelope to each person, containing the information about their reporting agency. Additionally, according to relevant materials, a starting agent's annual base salary is 57,000 US dollars, significantly higher than the average wage in the United States, with the salaries of these prospective agents set to increase from this benchmark.
After filling out their forms in the classroom, Jimmy and his classmates stepped out. There, in the hallway, was an agent wearing sunglasses, with his hands crossed in front of him.
Agent: "Jimmy Yang?"
Jimmy: "Yes, sir. Is there something I can do for you?"
Agent: "Come with me, someone wants to see you."
Jimmy followed the agent out of the academic building. He wasn't worried this person was an imposter; after all, this was the FBI Academy, not some open campus where anyone could waltz in. Waiting so noticeably outside a classroom had to mean that he was someone from inside the Academy or from another FBI branch.
Connecting this meeting with the forms they filled out today, Jimmy had an inkling of what this might be about.
Jimmy and the agent arrived at the office building, which he was visiting for the first time. Without any special reasons, trainees like him weren't allowed in the office building; they didn't have the access passes required to enter.
Following the agent led Jimmy to a high-level agent's office. However, names weren't displayed on the doors, so he had no idea which department he was entering.
The agent knocked on the door and then led Jimmy inside, telling the middle-aged man there, "I've brought Jimmy Yang."
Middle-aged man: "Good, you can leave," the agent exited, and the man then addressed Jimmy, "Take a seat."
Jimmy sat down, and the middle-aged man sifted through a pile of folders on his desk until he found Jimmy's.
Middle-aged man: "Jimmy Yang, former assistant Sheriff in Plaskey County, right? Have you thought about the department you'll be joining?"
Jimmy: "No, sir, I don't have a particular preference for any department. I will follow the Academy's arrangements."
The middle-aged man chuckled: "Even if it's to stay at the Academy as an instructor?"
Jimmy: "Uh, of course, if that's what the Academy arranges, then that's fine."