My thoughts exactly!  I can make as much or more in the business world, only work 40 hours a week with vacation, full benefits and plenty of other non-monetary perks. 

Now, I understand people want to serve their country, but I truely believe you have to be a thrill seeker to want to work as a case officer overseas.   

True, but the how does a person develop the desire to work in that field to begin with?  What I know about being a "spook" is primarily derived from Tom Clancy novels, so forgive me for speculating.

I would think it begins with a sense of patriotism, but that alone can't be it.  To me, the most obvious ways of acting out your patriotism is to join the military or run for office.  But working in the intelligence community, you can't proudly beat your chest and say, "See, look what I did!"  You are sworn to silence forever.  Normally, the names of those who become part of history don't include the spies, unless they are caught.   

How sad that the folks who tend to have the greatest impact can never be known to the public.  I certainly applaud them for their work.