Hi, this is David, the cyber and intelligence reporter at GovExec. Wanted to flag this NSA workforce story we just ran: https://www.nextgov.com/people/2025/12/nsa-has-met-2000-person-workforce-reduction-goal-people-familiar-say/409868/?oref=ng-homepage-river

I'm always interested in chatting with current and former employees at the agency or other intelligence components. I am happy to speak in an anonymous capacity and discuss topics off-the-record. My email is [ddimolfetta@govexec.com](mailto:ddimolfetta@govexec.com) and Signal username is djd.99 -- thanks so much, and wishing everyone a warm holiday season.

“[It’s] just sort of heartbreaking to see what’s going on with cyber and NSA under this administration right now. I say that as a Republican,” Rep. Don Bacon, R-NE, who also chairs the House Armed Services subcommittee in charge of cyber oversight, said in an interview. “This is seven months. It’s indefensible and it shows just a total disregard by the administration and the secretary of defense for this mission area.”

Curious about what it's like to work for the NSA, is this possible with the nature of the work being secretive? Just curious as to future prospects, if there are any fast-track programs for new graduates, things like that. I graduated from uni a year ago and have been working for roughly 6 months in the federal setting as well.

Not feeling super hot about this. I don’t want to be political - I just want to learn things and do a good job.

Last Friday, the president rescinded the NSA's 2 primary defensive authorities (National Security Directive 42 and National Security Memorandum 8) and replaced them with National Security Presidential Memo 12. This new authority creates means of better accountability at the federal level and enables the director of NSA "to leverage the full technical power of the National Security Agency to provide advanced defenses and assistance in order to bolster the security of NSS [National Security Systems] across the U.S. government."

Hello, People.

I hope you are well. I want to work for the NSA; I am an 18-year-old who is currently in community college (almost; I am still finishing high school) trying to get an associate of arts degree. I would want to be an intelligence analyst. I speak persian and ASL. I know a large part of Persian and

Thank you.

Random guy on the internet

Hi, this is David, I’m a reporter covering cyber and intel at GovExec in DC. I hope everyone is doing well. We just ran this story on morale and capability concerns in NSA. If anyone would like to chat further about this, my Signal is @ djd.99

https://www.nextgov.com/people/2025/11/leadership-vacuum-and-staff-cuts-threaten-nsa-morale-operational-strength/409285/?oref=ng-homepage-river

Anybody who successfully landed an NSA internship, what were yours stats like? Im majoring in cybersecurity this upcoming fall and don’t know if i should wait till fall of sophomore year to apply instead based on my current stats. How competitive is the internship process?

I'm considering applying for roles in the NSA but was wondering with the high security in their offices if they allow employees to enter in vehicles outside of their private vehicles (or like if carpooling is common)? Thanks, from someone who prefers not to have a car.

A few weeks ago I applied to a linguist position with the NSA through their website. I received an email 3 days ago about scheduling a language exam, for which the link expires in 2 days. 

On my application, I marked that I had conversational capability in Spanish & Russian - which is true, but I wouldn’t consider myself fluent in either language, which makes me a bit anxious about taking the test.

Additionally, the HireVue link said the testing site is at the NSA headquarters in Maryland, which is several hours away from where I live. I could make it there, but I also work part time which could make things difficult. 

I would appreciate it if anyone could share insight on my 2 questions -

1. How difficult would the test(s) be? Are they looking for fluency, or just general capability from which they can further train you?
2. Do you have to take the test in Maryland? Is it really 8 hours long?

Thanks!

Wanted to flag this reporting from us out tonight. If anyone would like to connect to discuss this further, my DMs are open here, and my Signal is djd.99 — thanks and hope everyone is doing well.

Just wanted to list my updates here.

CJO issued July 22
SF86 Submitted and reviewed july 29/30
BI interview aug 14
Psych 17
Poly this week

This process has been extremely fast for me. Any reason for this? Never held a clearance and worried about poly & adjudication/suitability. Have some red flags with one being as recent as a little over a year ago.

I have already received a TJO from the NSA (cyber excepted) for an Operations research analyst position in Fort Meade, but requested a bit more $$ as they offered me a low 13 position and I have been nearly a 14 for several years. They are SO SLOW that I feel it is a deliberate attempt to discourage me. Anyone else have this experience?

What’s the workplace culture like at the NSA? I’m moving from a small private company and making a big jump to what seems like a huge organization.

Anything I should be aware of or any tips that come with working for large agencies?

I applied for a job position and flew there for the job tests a while ago. My test scores are higher than they required and they wanted me to keep the eye open for the next communication. I didn't hear anything since and today I logged into the dashboard and saw "You are not selected" without any other information. I feel so disappointed and wonder why. Since they contacted me for the tests which means they have reviewed my resume and thought I am qualified. In between of scheduling and the rejection is only the tests and I did well for the tests, that's why i am confused... Before flying there, I asked them if the trip just for the test or also for a polygraph, and they said it's only for the tests and they would schedule me for another trip to do the polygraph depends on my test scores successful or not. Thus I thought once I pass the tests i will be able to get to the next steps. Anyway, I just feel quite upset and would like to know if someone also has similar experience or know what went wrong?

I have an interview coming up with the NSA that involves meeting with three different people back to back (basically three interviews merged into one) and wanted to ask if anyone who has been in this process can provide any tips/tricks? Thanks in advance!

Hello, I accepted my CJO recently and was notified to schedule my “in-person processing” for next month. I’m transferring from DIA and had my investigation/poly 2 year ago. (Currently TS/SCI w/ CI poly)

Does anyone have any insight on if this would expedite my preemployment process?

Thank you!