Hello, I am Scott Schlimmer

The Real Jack Ryan, at CIA Headquarters in Langley, Virginia

Hear the real story

The Real Jack Ryan

Former CIA Analyst tells all about the real-life version of Jack Ryan.

Who Is The Real Jack Ryan?

Grease from my hamburger dripped onto a piece of paper. But this was no ordinary piece of paper. It was the first Top Secret document I ever saw. We were in the middle of a crisis simulation, and you don't break for lunch during a crisis. This combination of state secrets and burger grease perfectly summarizes my experience as a CIA Analyst. As The Real Jack Ryan.


You know that guy you just offered cocaine to? He’s with the CIA.

Read about the time that strangers offered me cocaine, not knowing I was a CIA officer.

My first contact with the CIA was…at a career fair?

I wasn’t recruited in a dark alley or a hotel room. as odd as it sounds. CIA has a booth at a career fair.

Most experts are clueless

After having access to classified information and being one of the few people in the world “in the know” for some time, it was very interesting to observe debates in the media and comments coming from “experts.” My realization, experts have absolutely no clue what they are talking about.

The time CIA made me break up with my girlfriend

She had never applied for US citizenship. That made her a foreigner. And that meant I had to report her to the CIA to get approval to date her. The relationship was ultimately denied. If only the CIA could have screened some of the bad American women I chose to date!

The Real Jack Ryan Interview



What's in the book?

In this book, you’ll get the reality, firsthand from a former CIA Analyst. Unlike the Jack Ryan movies, everything in this book is true. Only some names have been changed.

My Background and Path to the CIA

My Background and Path to the CIA

What is working at CIA really like?

What is working at CIA really like?

Interesting CIA Stories

Interesting CIA Stories

Fun CIA Questions I'm Often Asked

Fun CIA Questions I'm Often Asked