While assigned to FBI Headquarters in a "support" or clerical capacity before becoming a Special Agent, myself and of course many of my colleagues received the opportunity to witness firsthand Director Hoover's discipline in the FBI.  In conjunction with that of his Associate, Clyde Tolson.  For myself, these were the years between 1968 when I started and 1972 when the Director died. 

There is no doubt about it; the Director ruled the FBI Nationwide with a firm hand.  He didn't like "yes men" and when he gave an order, he expected it to be carried out.  What many don't understand is that he was also human.  Many times compassionate, understanding and comical.  The sides of a man that critics today don't usually portray.  

For some on the inside of their years in the FBI, Hoover's discipline was many times extraordinary; and it was.  It didn't come as a result of "old age;" it really has always been there.

A clear example of this is a 1934 memorandum regarding one of the Agents of the day discussing matters "outside the FBI."  This was, and always continued to be, an absolute violation of FBI regulations, and many times rightfully so.  

You can see this memo and the notation of the Director at the bottom by clicking here.  There's no doubt this Agent "got the message."  

In 2007, it's ironic that many of us and the "old timers" who are still alive and even those left who preceeded us often speak of thoughts we wished "the Old Man" was back....