When George E. Hocker Jr. began his journey to become a spy, America was still grappling with segregation. Hocker, however, shattered numerous barriers to become one of the first Black undercover agents at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). He also became the first to establish a CIA station overseas and to lead a branch within the Directorate of Operations, despite being the only Black person in his training class of 75.
The covert nature of CIA operations often means that the contributions of its agents go unrecognized. Hocker’s achievements, along with those of other Black pioneers at the agency, have historically been overlooked. Recently, the CIA rectified this by installing an exhibit at its headquarters museum to honor Hocker’s groundbreaking work.
Now, Hocker is working on a memoir in which he plans to share the perseverance and determination he developed throughout his career as a “Black spymaster.”
Born in 1939, Hocker was the eldest of five children. He enrolled at Howard University in 1956, and it was there that a close friend suggested he apply to the CIA. At just 18 years old, with no substantial work experience, Hocker included his parents’ church friends as references on his application. He joined the CIA in 1957, becoming one of the few African-American officers in the agency at that time.
Early in his career, Hocker observed that his white colleagues were often favored for sponsorships and promotions. Nevertheless, he was determined to become a case officer after his interest was piqued while working as an analyst at Headquarters and observing field operations. Although initially hesitant to enroll in the spy training course due to the lack of Black participants, a pivotal event changed his perspective.
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Hocker was present at the 1963 demonstration where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. This experience, part of the “March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom,” was attended by a diverse crowd of Black and White Americans. It was a transformative moment for Hocker. He reflected, “I saw that we can do some things together, all races, if we can come together and if we can strive to be the best that we can be and help our country to be the best example for the rest of the world.”
Hocker went on to make history as the first Black officer to complete escape and evasion training, part of the covert operations training program. He served multiple tours across Africa and South America. Among his many firsts, he became the first Black officer to lead a branch within the Directorate of Operations and to establish a new CIA station. Additionally, Hocker was chosen to work as Special Assistant to Directors of Central Intelligence William Casey and Stansfield Turner. He also served as a Senior Advisor to the Drug Enforcement Agency, a role he held until his retirement in 1992.
In a recent visit to the agency, Hocker encouraged the next generation of officers. He said, “I still feel very privileged and honored to have been able to serve my country as a Black spymaster and be in the CIA for 34 years. I think it’s very important for you to be able to be resilient and persevere when things don’t seem to be going your way, especially if you think they’re unjust… If you don’t stand up for yourself, sometimes you won’t be the value to the Agency that you should be.”
Hocker’s legacy is not only a testament to his individual accomplishments but also a beacon of inspiration for future generations of Black officers in the CIA. His story highlights the importance of resilience, determination, and standing up for oneself in the face of adversity.