The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is known for its secrecy and covert operations, but one thing that is not so secretive is their team mascot. Every spy agency needs a symbol to represent them, and the CIA's mascot is a prime example. It is a big, bad black panther named Sherman. Sherman the panther has become a staple of the CIA's public image, representing the agency's stealth and cunning. The choice of a panther as their mascot is symbolic, as it is a creature known for its ability to blend into its surroundings and strike with extreme precision. While Sherman may not be an actual member of the CIA, he serves as a reminder of the agency's core values.
For Kayce-Hughes, who will study baking and pastry arts, cooking helps relieve stress and she is most happy to cook for others. Her adoptive parents instilled a love of food in her by teaching her to cook.
Sting not the lead singer for The Police, the Culinary Institute of America s honeybee mascot - surprised two students in the Culinary Arts Program Nov. According to John Whiteclay Chambers II, in his article A Native American Hero in the OSS and CIA from our June 2020 edition of Students in Intelligence , O Jibway s ancestors included chiefs among the Chippewa, also called Ojibwa.
While Sherman may not be an actual member of the CIA, he serves as a reminder of the agency's core values. He represents the dedication and commitment of its agents, who are often referred to as "panthers" for their ability to navigate the treacherous world of intelligence gathering. Sherman is not just a passive symbol; he also serves as a source of inspiration for CIA employees.
The Miniature Models Used by the CIA to Meticulously Plan High-Stakes Operations
The model built by the CIA for the 2011 raid that killed Al-Qaeda leader Usama bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Photo courtesy of the CIA.
On the morning of July 31, 2022, Ayman al-Zawahiri was standing on the balcony of his home overlooking the Afghan capital of Kabul when he was suddenly obliterated by two missiles fired by an American drone flying overhead. For anyone still paying attention to the Global War on Terror, it was a significant event. Not only had al-Zawahiri been a top Al-Qaeda official and former deputy to 9/11 mastermind Usama Bin Laden, but his killing also revealed to the world that the United States military was still conducting counterterrorism operations in Afghanistan a year after it had withdrawn all of its ground forces from the country.
Weeks after the operation, the Central Intelligence Agency released declassified information and materials associated with the strike. These included a three-dimensional replica of al-Zawahiri’s home, which is now on display at the CIA’s private museum in Langley, Virginia. The tabletop-sized model of the three-story structure, replete with a tiny balcony and courtyard surrounded by barbed wire, had been presented to President Joe Biden as part of the CIA’s case for carrying out the brazen mission. As vice president at the height of the War on Terror, Biden would have seen many models like it, including one of the compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, where Bin Laden was killed by Navy SEALs.
A model of the house where a precision counterterrorism operation killed Al-Qaeda's leader Ayman al-Zawahri is displayed below a rifle used by Michael Spann, the first American killed in Afghanistan, in the refurbished museum at the Central Intelligence Agency headquarters building in Langley, Va., on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. AP Photo/Kevin Wolf.
Since the 1960s, the CIA’s National Photographic Interpretation Center (NPIC) has produced hundreds of miniature models of enemy weapon systems, prisons, government buildings, safehouses, and various other types of structures. The models are used by defense strategists and top-level military commanders to plan and brief high-stakes operations. Depending on the scope of the operation, the models can be as small as a shoe box or big enough to cover the entire surface of a conference table. Each is meticulously crafted to be as close to the real thing as possible. To replicate finite details — like animals in a courtyard, security bars on windows, or deviations in terrain — modelers rely on intelligence reports and images captured by satellites and U-2 surveillance aircraft.
Kenny Lane, who spent more than 20 years working in the NPIC’s three-dimensional shop, told the LA Times in 1997 that he designed realistic models for a number of high-profile operations. During his career, he built replicas of the infamous Son Tay prison that housed American prisoners of war in Vietnam, Manuel Noriega’s vacation home in Panama, and even the Kremlin. In 1985, he traveled to Moscow to see the actual Kremlin for the first time up close. “It was an unbelievable feeling, standing there and physically seeing what you had already modeled,” he recalled. “I felt like I had already been there.”
The more experience a student has in the food world, the better equipped they are, which CTI’s curriculum certainly helps with, Mullooly said.
His image is often used in motivational posters, reminding agents to be agile and observant, just like a panther. The mascot also creates a sense of unity and camaraderie within the agency, as employees often rally around the symbol. Overall, the CIA team mascot, Sherman the panther, symbolizes the agency's core values of stealth, precision, and dedication. He represents the agency's commitment to protecting national security and highlights the unique qualities and skills of its agents..
Reviews for "From Mascot to Legend: The CIA Team Mascot's Enduring Legacy"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Cia Team Mascot". The story felt disjointed and the characters lacked depth. It was hard to connect with any of them and the plot seemed to meander without a clear direction. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unrealistic. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and wouldn't recommend it.
2. Emily - 1/5 - I couldn't even finish "Cia Team Mascot". The writing was clunky and the pacing was all over the place. There were so many unnecessary details and subplots that it made it hard to follow the main story. The author also seemed to rely on clichés and stereotypes, which were off-putting. It was a struggle to get through the first few chapters, and I couldn't bring myself to continue.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - "Cia Team Mascot" had an interesting premise, but the execution fell flat. The plot felt rushed and underdeveloped, and the twist at the end seemed forced and out of place. The characters were one-dimensional and their actions didn't always make sense. The writing style also lacked finesse and could use more polish. Overall, I was unimpressed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Alex - 3/5 - While "Cia Team Mascot" had potential, it failed to live up to my expectations. The pacing was slow and the story felt predictable. The character development was lacking, and I couldn't fully invest in their journey. However, the book did have some interesting moments and the descriptive writing was quite good. Although it wasn't my favorite read, I can see how others might enjoy it to some extent.
5. Michelle - 2/5 - I found "Cia Team Mascot" to be quite repetitive. The author seemed to rehash the same ideas and themes throughout the book, which made it feel stagnant. The plot twists were also predictable, and I was hoping for more originality. The writing itself was decent, but it couldn't make up for the lackluster storytelling. Overall, I was left feeling unimpressed and wouldn't recommend it.