2nd May, 2009- The Navy Yard, Washington.
Director Jennifer Shepard sat the conference table in her office, the table covered in performance evaluations. She was reading the individual teams summaries, moving on from the MCRT teams, and onto the CTOC. Apart from the team leaders and SFAs, the in depth reviews were passed to Personnel, and anything requiring her attention would be given to her for further review. Opening the folder, she looked at the written review of the CTOC written by Special Agent Ricardo Balboa, Agent in Charge. His review was written by Jerome Craig, herself, and evaluated based on certain key performance indicators throughout the last twelve months. Jen grabbed herself another coffee before starting the report. She just hoped that this review was as good as the results the CTOC had managed. Jen knew the results were always a group effort, but she tended to always think of Balboa and McGee when discussing the CTOC. A first year psychology student would tell her why.
The two men were the face of the unit, the two people she spoke to more, the two people who emailed her, the two people who spoke to Deputy Director Craig, along with domestic agency personnel. It was only natural that she thought more of these two than the other agents she barely knew. However, she was planning to rectify that. It wasn't feasible for Jen to take a world tour to meet each team, but she did try to check in with certain teams when in the country in question. Having met the MCRTs in Spain, Greece and Italy, along with OSP in LA and MCRT in San Diego, Jen had decided to travel down to Florida. She would meet with both the MCRT and CTOC, along with personnel in the Joint Terrorism Task Force, Force Protection Detail, and the NCIS staff assigned to US Southern Command. Jen would spend a week in Florida, meeting with different personnel, but hoped to spend at least part of a day in the CTOC. She knew there would be objections, but she was still looking forward to see the reactions of Balboa and McGee when the found out she would be standing over their shoulders for a few hours.
Looking back at the review, Jen steeled herself. Ricardo Balboa had been an outstanding agent when attached to the Navy Yard, and Jen knew he had been doing an amazing job in Jacksonville. He had a habit to brag about his team, and only his team. While he would select individuals for their successes, all successful reviews and takedowns were always celebrated as a team triumph. Jen liked his way of doing thing, but hoped agents did not become resentful about getting more of the limelight. His report about the drug smuggling on Northern Europe was a case in point. He highlighted Keis team leadership skills and knowledge, Nikki Jardines quick gathering of intelligence from sources outside the normal circle of contact, it was the team effort of roleplaying that had brought about the resolution of the case, from their side of things at least. Jen had no idea whose idea the role play was, that wasn't mentioned in the report. However, Ric had commented on his teams cohesion, believing it was their trust in one another that helped them solve this case. Jen hoped the review highlighted other team members successes as well.
Combating Transnational Organized Crime
Individual and Team Review
April 2009.
Special Agent Ricardo Balboa, Agent in Charge.
Probationary Agent Gregory Flickman
Agent Flickman has been part of the unit for six weeks. His work has been of a high standard, as expected for a recent FLETC graduate. He is meeting all expectations as an NCIS agent. He has maintained an excellent level of duty, as well as began to expand his field of interests. His principal supervising officer, SFA McGee, is very pleased with Agent Flickmans devotion to duty. With a degree in Criminology and Psychology, Agent Flickman has begun to look into psychological profiling classes available to Federal Agents. With his degree, one might think, "Why bother." However, Agent Flickman persists the classes would be helpful for him. He has advised that his degree course offered only basic profiling classes, not the advanced courses we offer. He would be able to offer insights into the criminals psyche, not normally available. This is something that would follow him into each team he would be assigned to. Agent Flickman has maintained excellent standards in physical fitness and marksmanship, this is being monitored by the Personal Trainer Navy personnel on base. A report has been submitted to add to his personnel file.
On a personal note, Greg is a welcome addition to the team. He has made friends with everyone, and is comfortable with everyone in a non work environment. He has also settled into his apartment, proven by inviting the team over for brunch on a weekend. I look forward to continue working with him.
Journeyman Agent Sunaina Sato
Agent Sato has been part of the CTOC for the past fifteen months. Her work involving computers is exceptional, having recently been granted the grade of level five cyber technician. Her intelligence review work is, again, brilliant. She no longer requires the oversight needed twelve months ago. She is capable of working under stressful situations, which is often the case with CTOC. While I would not recommend Agent Sato for a liaison position currently, her level of confidence with dealing with agents from domestic agencies is growing, and her relations with these agencies can be described as friendly and pleasant.
Sunaina, like Greg, is most welcome within the CTOC. She has made friends both with the team and outside of the base. She has taken self defence classes and joined a running club. This has helped her find her escape from the work we carry out. Again, she enjoys a good home life, and has welcomed everyone to her home.
While I look forward to working with Agent Sato, I would regret any reassignment of her, but would accept it.
Agent Lucille Mollington
Agent Mollington has been part of the unit for five months. Her expertise in money laundering and fraud has been of great strength, allowing for further review in this field, as previously Agent McGee was our expert in this, while completing SFA duties at the same time. Agent Mollington, like her co-workers, has excellent analysis skills, and her six year tenure with NCIS is evident for all to see. She requires no oversight from her superior agents. She is confident when working with her direct counterparts in foreign agencies, she is not as confident when talking with their superiors. This is not a criticism, but an area for development. Previously, she only worked on domestic fraud and laundering operations, with virtually no overseas cooperation. The work she has done in the past few months has been above reproach. I have spoken with Agent Mollington, and is happy to continue to develop herself and her career on the current path she is walking. Again, she has maintained excellent physical conditioning. She has, however, decided to forgo weapons recertification. This is a personal choice. Agent Mollington has informed me she does not wish to be a fully qualified field agent, and this is her choice. It makes no difference to her work here.
Lucille, like the previous two agents, is friendly, personable and approachable. She has held dinner parties for her co-workers, and found an outlet for her hobbies. She has joined an arts and crafts class, and begun assisting in a painting class at a local community centre. She has also began an online class in learning Italian.
I look forward to continue working with Agent Mollington
Special Agent Nikki Jardine, European Liaison Officer
Special Agent Jardine has been part of the team for seven weeks, and I am very happy with her assignment to the CTOC. Her intelligence review is the best the team has. Her professional connections in overseas agencies is a great resource for the team, allowing more direct access to intelligence requests. Currently, I see no areas of development for Agent Jardine. I have advised Agent Jardine, that due to her short time as my subordinate, a follow up review has been scheduled for six months time. This is to ensure that all follow up yearly reports are accurate, and that I have gauged her abilities correctly. Her physical condition and marksmanship are of above acceptable standards for an NCIS Special AGent. To ensure she does not fall below this level, she has agreed to joining the team in Personal Training sessions on base.
Nikki has made friends in Lucille, Sunaina, and Amanda. Already knowing myself and Tim has helped her settle in quicker, I believe. She has not yet settled into her new home, she is still awaiting some furniture and other decorations. She has gotten some literature about the city and what it offers, and has advise myself that she is keeping her options open regarding language classes as well as other hobbies.
I look forward to developing my working relationship with Agent Jardine over the coming years.
Special Agent Amanda Ryan
Special Agent Amanda Ryan has been part of CTOC for more than two years. The addition of Agent McGee and myself to the unit caused some professional issues for Agent Ryan, having previously been informed she was going to be interviewed for the role of SFA. This was not something made by the Director, but by her previous team lead and SFA. Agent Ryan was most disappointed to not have the opportunity to be considered for the role. Over the last year though, Agent Ryan has conducted herself as befitting an NCIS agent. Should she still harbour any resentment over her current position, it is not made evident by her actions. Her intelligence reviews and case leads are of exceptional quality. She has no qualms dealing with domestic and foreign agencies, holding them both to her high standards of accountability. She has offered herself as an unofficial supervising officer for Agent Flickman, something which I have taken advantage, allowing Agent Flickman to shadow Agent Ryan when is performing certain duties.
Personally, it took a long time for Amanda to let the team into her personal life. While I personally am not close to Amanda, she is to certain team members, with Tim and Kei joining her for weekend day outs and other activities.
I look forward to my continued association with Agent Ryan, in her role at the CTOC.
Special Agent Kei Wan, third in command.
Special Agent Kei Wan has been assigned to the CTOC for almost three years. He accepted the change in leadership with no issues apparent to myself. His performance in the last twelve months is to be commended. His intelligence review, again, is superb, showing insight and a unique perspective from the former DEA agent. His leadership skills have also developed at an acceptable pace, being left as senior agent when both Agent McGee and myself are not available. He has also been a secondary supervising officer for both Agents Sato and Flickman. He has helped with weapons training and evidence handling, along with general development for the two least experienced members of the team.
Agent Wan, at my request, has also began taking the Agent Afloat courses. This was offered by both myself and Agent McGee. This is to continue his development as an NCIS Special Agent. While I would regret it immensely, I understand any reassignment offered Agent Wan. He would be an asset to any team as the Senior Field Agent or as a senior agent on a drug smuggling task force. After speaking with Agent Wan, we are beginning to develop his skills as a Senior Field Agent, alongside his Agent Afloat courses.
Since arriving in Florida, Kei has been an open and approachable person, which in turn has developed into a strong friendship both at work and away. Kei had a well earned reputation as the office jokester, but is well aware when not to makes jokes. His jokes are never meant to embarrass or humiliate, and are always intended to be humorous.
Senior Field Agent Timothy McGee, Interpol Liaison Officer
Special Agent Timothy McGee has been the SFA on the CTOC for approximately one year. Upon our arrival Agent McGee began, on my orders, the reorganisation of the Assessment Centre, including new equipment and systems. His capture of a traitor with NCIS was a testament to Agent McGees personally written computer systems program. He has continued to provide the CTOC with a wealth of knowledge and experience regarding cyber crime computer knowledge. His role as fraud and money laundering specialist was not a high profile one when we first arrived here, due to Agent McGee holding the post of Senior Field Agent. He held additional responsibilities as the supervising agent of Agent Sato, which he has continued with Agent Flickman. Knowing Agent McGee from a probationary agent himself, his approach to the nurture of these two agents is vastly different to the one he had himself. His manner, for them and the rest of the team, is a well balanced mix of older brother, friend, superior and coach. Agent McGee is always ready to say "Job well done" and is not afraid to say "I don't know". One pearl of wisdom to come from Agent McGee is something I know he has said to every agent here, including myself. "Firsts is what gets us seconds and thirds". These words are always given at a time when an agent is facing something they are familiar with, but has not happened to them directly. He is a support for all of us to lean on, as well as a shoulder to cry on, myself included.
Agent McGee has come into his own on this assignment. A natural leader and follower, he inspires confidence in those around him. He hates doing nothing, but values the downtime the team sometimes needs. His relationships with Interpol and agency directors is of the highest quality, completely respectable at all times. Agent McGees professional development will only continue to improve in his current role. Any reassignment given to him will be to CTOCs loss.
Timothy has gained a friend in every member of the team, his time with them outside of work of invaluable measure. He has hosted weekend drinks, as well as evening meals at his home. Being his first friend in Jacksonville, I have enjoyed many evenings talking with Tim at his home, or at events around the city. Tim has become quite the regular at Jacksonville theatres, as well as crafts fairs around the city.
End of Summary
CTOC Personnel Evaluations.
Jen closed the file, tapping it slowly with her pen, worried about what the report would do. The personnel files would be available for review by mid June, with team leaders advising who from their team they wanted promoted or transferred, and who they wanted in return. Apart from Flickman and Jardine, everyone else would be wanted, with Team Leaders probably contacting these agents directly, as well as herself. Jen wasn't being horrible about the two newest additions down in Florida, but unless they knew these agents, most Team Leaders would want to see a six month review, to see how they cope with a new city and job. Jen had read the report carefully, reading between the lines as well. This team was becoming a family, God help the person trying to split it up. Jen resolved to offer the opportunities that came their way, but, unless she could help, she would not order a transfer on them.