How do the US Naval Academy and the CIA connect?

I'm curious about the relationship between the US Naval Academy and the CIA. Do many graduates from the academy end up working for the agency? If so, what paths do they typically take after graduation to get there?

The United States Naval Academy (USNA) in Annapolis, Maryland, and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) are two distinct entities, each with their unique missions, but there is indeed a connection between them, as numerous USNA graduates do end up working for the CIA.

The paths can vary depending on the specific roles that the graduates are interested in. Typically, midshipmen at the USNA pursue an academic major that is in line with the skills required by the CIA, such as Cyber Operations, Operations Research, or National Security Affairs. However, the agency values a wide range of academic backgrounds so a specific major isn't necessary to be considered for a role within the CIA.

After graduation, some graduates may serve their required stint in the military (a requirement after graduation from the USNA) and then transition to civilian roles within the CIA. Serving in this capacity might provide connections and relevant experience that could make transitioning to a role within the agency more seamless.

It's also worth mentioning that while many graduates from the academy do end up working in intelligence roles within the military, not all of them necessarily transition to the CIA. Some might remain within military intelligence while others might transition to private-sector defense or intelligence careers.

In summary, the USNA and the CIA do see significant overlap in their alums, and the process typically involves picking a relevant course of study, serving a required military term, and then transitioning to civilian intelligence work. However, the paths are diverse, and there's no one "correct" way to go from the USNA to the CIA.