TSA agent reflects on decision to join the security agency after 9/11
MADISON WS Sept 12 2018 For Rick Spencer working for the TSA is not just a job, but a bit of a calling.
“We were angry that someone had attacked our country,” he said.
The former Marine joined the agency 17 years ago after the tragic events of 9/11.
“I was actually driving to work. And a coworker called me and said, ‘Rick, you’ll never believe it. Somebody just drove an airplane in one of the World Trade Center towers,” Spencer said.
It was such a profound moment for Spencer. And like any good Marine, his first thought was “How can I help?”
“I think I went through the whole phase of emotions, you know denial, fear, anger that someone had attacked our country, sorrow for those people that had lost their lives,” Spencer said.
That desire to help drove him to apply for a position with a new security agency, the TSA, designed to protect Americans in the airports and skies. He was one of the first 300 agents hired after 9/11.
“I looked at it as if you had my skill set, who wouldn’t want to help their country. And so I signed up for TSA,” Spencer said. “I actually had been in contact with my congressman prior to the agency starting up. I was looking forward to the opportunity to help even before that opportunity came.”
“We were trying to set up an agency to respond to the fear being felt by Americans and trying to put confidence back into our transportation systems.”
Spencer is not only a former U.S. Marine, he’s also experienced in the anti-terrorism field. So he was eager to put his valuable skill set to work for the TSA.
“I was managing security teams at nuclear power plants. So we already knew who Osama bin Laden was. We were already aware of the threats posted to America by Al Qaeda,” he said.
America has not suffered a terrorist attack of that magnitude since. And with each passing anniversary of 9/11, Spencer reflects on the events that led him down this path.
“We always have a moment of silence. Something to not only in memory of the people that lost their lives, but also to understand the impact that it had on our personal journey,” he said.
WKOW
