Real-Life NCIS Agents Point Out Fact Vs. Fiction On The Hit Show

It wouldn’t be NCIS without those all-important test results. Combing over the scene of the crime and assessing the evidence is done fairly rapidly. That gives the group more time to run around, drive fast cars and engage in some quickfire repartee. David McCallum’s “Ducky” Mallard and other specialists, such as Pauly Perrette’s much-missed Abby Sciuto, are usually on hand to provide the unit with what they need to get the job done. The team runs like clockwork, giving criminals no place to hide from the forensic and laser-like focus of NCIS. How does this fly with the group’s real life experts?

In reality, the process is much slower. The show has to get certain details wrapped up neatly within the space of an hour, but real NCIS employees aren’t bound by a ravenous TV schedule. “I wish we could get DNA evidence back in 20-30 minutes,” commented Matt Ashton, Assistant Special Agent at the Norfolk Field Office. Speaking to TV station News 3, he added, “Or even a day, but sometimes it takes months!” Already we can see how a key factor in TV’s NCIS is debunked by the genuine article. It isn’t all dramatic license, as you’ll see, but this is definitely a case where writers take liberties.

The NCIS crew need an office from which to work, like anyone. That said, it’s also a place of intrigue and excitement that makes a regular workplace seem like a seminar on carpet-cleaning. This is the area where team members banter with one another and throw ideas back and forth in an attempt to crack the case. An article on the website of non-profit organization USO highlighted Gibbs’ catchphrase of, “Got a dead marine. Grab your gear.” You probably don’t hear stuff like that by your water cooler! Makes us wonder what life in a real NCIS office is like, and whether the excitement levels are actually ramped up to the max.

Agent Matt Ashton understands that this is a TV show and not a slice of life. Yet there is one major part of his role that you don’t see depicted on the small screen. “They never show the paperwork!” he exclaimed to News 3. Even a paperless office would feature a whole lot of scrolling, but we guess that’s just not sexy enough. Crime-busting organization or not, admin is admin. As for Gibbs’ famous catchphrase, this definitely isn’t “part of the lexicon”, at least according to USO. Thinking about it, in a real-life context, the remark sounds kind of flippant!

Ducky is a trusted and dependable member of the team. As played by McCallum, he’s a reassuring presence, plus it makes sense to have a medical expert on site to assist when needed. From his autopsy scenes, to the always-enlightening goings-on at their lab with Abby and co, it appears the group has a one stop crime-busting shop at their fingertips. No wonder this lot are so successful in carrying out their duties. Do the real NCIS team handle their workload in this comprehensive way? Surely they have some fella in a bow tie dispensing wisdom and helping them handle their many cadavers?

We’re sorry to say that NCIS doesn’t have these things. Talking to USO, the organization’s public affairs officer Ed Buice asserted that there were no real-life Duckys. Medical examiners might make Gibbs’ life a whole lot easier and run more smoothly, but you don’t just find them outside of the series. Buice mentioned that, while corpses are handled, there aren’t autopsies here. Crime labs aren’t a feature of your local NCIS facility either. “Actually, the U.S. Army Crime Lab handles evidence-processing,” says Bob Milie, in a 2013 report by TV station KDKA. Any intriguing nuggets gathered by the team go to a main hub for analysis.

A recurring image during NCIS the show is that of the gang’s headquarters. The DC Naval Yard is where you’ll find Gibbs, DiNozzo, McGee and your other favorite characters, depending on which season you’re watching. The functional-looking structure has a payload of exciting business taking place within its walls. As with the James Bond movies, which frequently show where British intelligence hangs out, it might be considered reckless to film the exterior. Also, isn’t it a little disappointing to see that they work from a fairly ordinary government building, rather than some chrome-plated skyscraper in the city? What’s the truth behind the concrete and steel?

Just because it’s a regular building, doesn’t mean it can’t be used for action-packed purposes. Of course, when it comes to the real NCIS, the activities are somewhat more down-to-Earth. So the DC Naval Yard structure suits the organization perfectly. Though there’s a twist to this part of the story: NCIS doesn't use the Naval Yard property anymore. It moved to a site in Quantico a while back. The footage used for the series dates back to 2003. Over at Quantico, NCIS rub shoulders with other investigators from the services. We’re hoping there isn’t a big queue for the coffee machine! 

Gibbs and co have a fast-moving life at NCIS, with the show’s episodes sometimes moving at breakneck speed. You’ll see the group tackle a specific type of crime too, the kind that TV viewers find the most compelling. Murder, corruption and international intrigue are the order of the day, with this bunch of heroes kind of putting local law enforcement to shame. Also, they’re typically first on the scene. With a busy schedule of exposing conspiracies, taking down high-profile figures and generally setting the world to rights, it’s a wonder they manage to juggle it all. How do their real-life counterparts cope?

In actual fact, the real NCIS has it somewhat tougher. They may not be having gunfights with their foes, or taking part in high-speed chases like in some installments. Yet the remit for the organization is much wider, and the team have a lot more balls in the air! The Criminal Justice Degree Hub noted that NCIS agents “do not have an explicit specialty as in other criminal justice jobs.” It added that they’re “expected to manage a wide variety of cases with equal skill.” Also, as revealed to USO by MaryAnn Cummings, NCIS are beaten to the crime scene by other entities.

The word “agent” conjures up some full-throttle images. The characters of NCIS put their lives on the line, seemingly on a weekly basis, in order to keep their country safe. Sometimes the team is joined by agents from other organizations, such as CID, or the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division. These colleagues are similarly dedicated to the cause, such as Lt. Col Hollis Mann, played by Susanna Thompson. With her personal connection to Gibbs, she made a natural choice to chime in and look after certain investigations. Let’s look at how this stacks up compared to the real deal.

Firstly, Hollis is way out of line being involved in an NCIS investigation in the first place. As mentioned by an article on film and TV website IMDb, Special Agents and not commissioned officers do the snooping. A Lieutenant Colonel can’t just do what they want, despite the rank. They are expected to perform admin-related tasks and not much beyond that. So, we can assume that Hollis is pretty proactive and gets into trouble a lot with her superiors, perhaps!  Another point, relating to the NCIS organization specifically and mentioned by website Showbiz Cheat Sheet, is that its members are civilians. They’re a little like private detectives, only answerable to the Navy.

Being a top agent with higher things on your mind means you inevitably bump heads with authority figures. This adds to the drama, with the idea that our heroes might not actually get what they need thanks to the bean-counter or pen-pusher standing in their way. It figures that these arguments would crop up during the team’s day-to-day business. If you’re not annoying higher-ups, you’re probably not doing your job! You can’t make an omelet without breaking some eggs, as the old saying goes. So, how many shells get cracked as the real NCIS officers perform their in-depth investigations, we wonder?

Sorry to burst any bubbles, but it seems that the path to catching criminals lies in everyone being on the same page. You can keep your mavericks for the TV shows. Here they’d only obstruct the pursuit of justice, at least according to Buice, in conversation with USO. Raise your voice to a commanding officer, and you may find yourself handing in your badge. Good communication is the cornerstone of all effective organizations, be they ones catching criminals or otherwise. A well-oiled machine like the Navy has no time for people going their own way.

If you’re working at the offices of NCIS, and you suddenly feel a light blow to the back of the head, don’t be alarmed. It’s just Gibbs’ way of letting you know you’re part of the pack. Mark Harmon isn’t a permanent fixture on the show anymore, but one of his major contributions to the lore was this slap to the noggin. Referred to as “Gibbsing”, it’s all part of the knockabout fun. But that signature move gets us thinking: does this tension-relieving measure apply to NCIS away from the small screen? Let’s see how slap-happy things get.

TV Land is full of these off-the-cuff gestures, some of them on the mildly violent side. If you decided to take a leaf out of Gibbs’ book and smack someone around the brain casing, expect there to be serious consequences. In its examination of the reality of NCIS, USO referred to conversations with the likes of Buice and Cummings. They confirmed “Gibbsing” someone would be no laughing matter. In fact, you’ll be accused of assault! Plus, those rules would probably apply to a go-getter like Gibbs as much as anyone else. This is the Navy, not a wacky sitcom!

NCIS is packed to the rafters with talent. The HQ has played host to the likes of agents Caitlin Todd (Sasha Alexander), Timothy McGee (Sean Murray), Ziva David (Cote de Pablo) and many others. It stands to reason that such a busy work environment needs bodies on the ground to carry out a multitude of crime-fighting tasks. Gibbs and his colleagues have got to have the bases covered. The TV version has a diverse and eye-catching bunch of actors and actresses to keep viewers hooked. Meanwhile, over at the organization they’re inspired by, things are quite different.

Sure, you’ll find all kinds of people working at the real NCIS. Only thing is, they do it on a smaller scale. Truth be told, a much smaller scale. As noted by website Collider in its look at how the fantasy measures up to the reality, you only need to look at the New Orleans end of the operation. In the franchise, it’s a team run by Scott Bakula’s “King” Pride.  As for the real office down in the “Big Easy”, it has two people on duty. Yes, you read that right! The effect just wouldn’t be the same if producers stuck to complete authenticity.  

NCIS are most definitely in the murder business. The Navy can be a murky world with hidden depths, at least in this universe. It kind of goes without saying that, if people didn’t die in mysterious and violent circumstances in the services, Gibbs and colleagues would be leading considerably less dramatic lives. Naturally, being involved with guns and bombs is going to result in some fatalities, but how many exactly? When it comes to the murder rate over at DC Naval Yard, there’s definitely some exaggeration going on. Also, they tend to get things neatly wrapped up within the hour.

Collider compared the murders at TV’s NCIS with the real-life crime rate. Citing the Department of the Navy, it revealed that there were 11 homicides in the Navy during 2020, along with seven in the USMC, or the United States Marine Corps. In NCIS the series, the tally approaches 100! If their stats were translated to the real Navy, then we’re sure no-one would sign up. As for the timeframes, in terms of the team pulling out all the stops and cracking these cases, suffice to say the action is compressed. Collider noted that “real-world investigations can take months, even years”.

What’s interesting about TV in the 21st century is the sheer amount of exposition. In NCIS, this happens in spades. That’s how it would be in real life, surely? After all, strong verbal communication is often the answer, and how else can that happen without people talking to each other constantly, and keeping each other in the loop? The rapid-fire, back-and-forth dialog is all in a day’s work. Is the air at the real NCIS filled with agents discussing day-to-day matters, filling each other in and articulating themselves? Put your ear to the door and you may be surprised. 

It’s easy to forget, but the typical workload of a real NCIS agent involves paperwork, staring at screens, and generally thinking about the case. Collider mentioned details such as phone records and maps: things that help you visualize, analyze, and hopefully solve the crime. While visualizing, it really isn’t helpful for a fellow operative to walk in and deliver a stream of dialog. Sometimes yes, but all the time? If the characters at the fictional NCIS were more true-to-life, they’d be shushing each other as well as engaging in conversation. Silence can often be golden in these situations!

As well as engaging in fast-paced and action-oriented crime fighting, the NCIS team no doubt have plenty of other things on their plate. Just because you don’t see them do the boring stuff on screen, doesn’t mean they don’t have to do it all. Also, it depends what you mean by boring. For some, the idea of economics-driven crime is a compelling subject. Not so much for this show, it seems. Collider noted how such serious offenses could impact on some high-profile politicians and businessmen. Is this why the NCIS series isn’t very focused on this type of subject?

In 2014 magazine Navy Times interviewed Andrew Traver, who eventually spent six years running NCIS. He mentioned how financial contracts with the Navy “have increased exponentially, by a factor of at least 40, I think. So maybe it has about $400 billion in contracts.” Traver explained how NCIS’s economic crime program was going to be rebuilt, following a lull post-9/11. Other threats the organization faces include cybercrime and assault. NCIS producers have to balance the grittier elements with material that’s suitable for a worldwide audience. This is a big reason why you won’t see fiction and reality get too close.

From watching NCIS, it appears as if this much-loved group is quite extensive in their numbers. They must also be backed up by some pretty big bucks in order to undertake the kind of missions they do. Mega-money, plus a streamlined workspace where sending emails and filling out forms is probably kept to a minimum, results in the exciting experience you have when tuning into the series. When the security of the U.S. Navy is at stake, surely money is no object. Is this the case with the real deal, or does TV production moolah speak volumes?

In an age of constant budget cuts, NCIS is as liable to receive inadequate financial resources as anyone. Website We Are The Mighty noted that agents within the organization claimed they were “not given enough funding.” They also argued that NCIS “should be prioritized like other security agencies” because of the potentially dangerous and highly important work they do. If underfunding is a reality, then it’s disquieting to think about. There’s also reported concern about bureaucracy in relation to evidence-handling. Seems you don’t just bag it up and get it to the lab for a rapid response from Ducky, Abby and the crew.

A major draw for NCIS fans and general viewers is the interplay between the team. Of course, the gloss of a long-running, big-budget TV show relies on compelling characters played by charismatic stars. Many a drama series or sitcom promotes the idea of a regular workplace or other location being the often-unlikely venue for banter and camaraderie. NCIS certainly wouldn’t be half as entertaining without this factor. It’s more than likely that much of this type of thing is fictionalized. The real NCIS don’t have that close-knit level of wordplay and friendship do they? Not when there are lives to be saved.

This is actually one case where the TV show is kind of on the money. Speaking to USO, Cummings uses the word “family” when referring to the real organization. Also, humor makes a great coping mechanism in this high-stress world. Ashton further confirmed this view to News 3, highlighting the importance of keeping things human, as well as professional. “They get the camaraderie, we get to work with the same agents and share every day,” he said. No wonder public interest in NCIS is high; it could almost be described as a fun place to work!

When it comes to dramatic events, such as explosions and intensive interrogations, NCIS has things down to a fine art. Its large audiences are proof that attention-grabbing is what producers do best. Sometimes it may look like the production isn’t big on detail. After all, if you really went into the ins and outs of what NCIS do, you’d have a much slower program. Yet you definitely see the group carry out some seemingly mundane, yet necessary, tasks. One such duty, for example, is taking photographic evidence of that week’s crime scene. How accurate is NCIS when it comes to these day-to-day-type things? 

If you think about it, the series would need to adhere fairly closely to what their real-life counterparts do. This doesn’t take a huge amount of effort to get right, and the show has its own consultants from the ranks of the NCIS anyway. As explained by Ashton to News 3, “Those small details matter, and the show does a really good job with getting those things right.” For him, details like “putting drugs on photographic evidence” make all the difference. They could just have some camera flashes going off, but the extra mile is appreciated.

One thing that keeps the viewers of various NCIS franchise series on their toes, and glued to their screens, is the must-watch weekly story. From terrorist incidents to criminal masterminds, the team are up against deadly threats episode after episode. Some of these scenarios may sometimes come across as the stuff of fiction. Yet it’s natural to wonder if any of the storylines have a basis in real life. Gibbs and the team arguably rank amongst the most popular fictional characters in TV history. Are their long running adventures inspired by true to life goings-on around the world?

It would be silly if the series didn’t take some cues from real life. NCIS consults with actual figures from the bona fide organization to ensure a degree of accuracy. Indeed, this approach extends to the actual stories themselves. News 3’s interview with Ashton revealed how surprised and flattered he was when watching an episode and realizing a case he was involved in had been used as inspiration. Ashton said that “huge details” had formed part of the compelling storyline that week. Though as you expect from someone employed by the services, he didn’t say which episode it was!

Working for NCIS is far more than a job. You are doing your duty for your country, as well as undertaking complex and sometimes dangerous tasks. The TV show makes the operation look exciting and potentially fatal, but that’s all part of the fun. Very few of us would sign up for the kind of peril these individuals place themselves in, despite the series helping as a recruitment aid of sorts for the organization. How is it as a real NCIS agent? Are the explosions and gunfights an occasional part of life? Do the mundane office chores take over, leaving the experience boring in some ways?

Whether it tends to be routine and dull or not, the fact is that NCIS isn’t something you do half-heartedly. According to the agents themselves, the level of enthusiasm and commitment displayed by the show’s stars is mirrored in the actual service. “The passion for the job and the way agents carefully investigate crimes are the same on TV as they are in real life,” noted Showbiz Cheat Sheet. The love in the room for NCIS extends to appearances on the show for the agents themselves. IMDb mentioned that notable names such as Service Director David Brant and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus have had shot cameos.

Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard is probably the most reassuring presence in the NCIS universe. As played by veteran star and general small-screen legend David McCallum, his old-school fashion and way with a cadaver has made him one of the most popular characters. Also, unlike many others, McCallum has chosen to remain with the series ever since it started. Be it on the original show, or dropping by in other chapters around the U.S., it seems Ducky is here to stay. He may have taken a step back in recent years, but his place in history is assured. Is Ducky the perfect employee, though? If you look at the specifics, then it seems not!

As per IMDb, you’ll see that the good doctor may not be as careful as he looks. When Ducky wanders into the autopsy room in his typical gentlemanly ensemble, he’s actually making what is literally a grave mistake. By exposing the dead body to his clothes that have just been outdoors, he’s promoting poor hygiene and potentially causing cross-contamination! There’s also the small matter of the OSHA, or Occupation Health and Safety Administration. Legend or not, Ducky needs to abide by their rules and regulations. Still, who’s going to object if the popular officer is a little lax here and there when it comes to boring rules?  

In order to take on a bevy of bad people, you’ll require some serious ammo. NCIS has resorted to using triggers and bullets, when the only way to handle an enemy is with extreme prejudice. It’s a violent but necessary part of life in the service, especially with this gang of enforcers. Also, the audience is accustomed to seeing fights and showdowns, where hot metal takes the place of negotiation. That’s not to say the series doesn’t have its quieter moments, but still, guns need to be packed. How do these various shootouts compare to life as a real NCIS agent?

It’s safe to say that a typical NCIS agent isn’t going to be up to their necks in gun-toting situations on a weekly basis. That said, the team has to know their way around a firearm, and it’s here that a stark contrast is found. IMDb pointed out that, when analyzing shell casings, the show would have you believe you can’t immediately spot the difference between a Glock and a Beretta. In fact, any seasoned pro would be able to tell which was which right away, due to the distinctive marks left on the primers. These are the igniting charges contained within a shell that propel the bullets.

To say life at TV’s NCIS is busy would be the mother of all understatements. This is no ordinary office: when Gibbs and co aren’t rushing from their desks to the scene of a crime, they’re consulting with one another about urgent matters of national security. In this high-pressure environment, they can be forgiven for not logging out of their computers, or waiting for them to go into sleep mode eventually. In the ideal world of small-screen crime-fighting, there isn’t always room for office etiquette. These people can trust each other anyway, so there’s no problem. Surely the same goes for the real NCIS?

Are you kidding? If agents at NCIS were leaving machines unattended for real, then there’d be Hell to pay. It’s bad enough being at a regular company, where protocol is key and even the quickest trip away from the computer needs you to lock everything down. Imagine what it’s like at the heart of the Navy! Mavericks who see small print as being for wimps are given the heave-ho pretty quickly, it seems. What are you going to do if you leave the blueprint for, say, a top-secret nuclear sub on your screen for all to see, and a passing delivery guy takes note? You’d be in a world of pain!