WISPersonification

Agents choose their names. These names bring comfort as they often remind them of something sentimental in their past, or help them to be able to envision themselves as something they want to be that could be considered the opposite of reality. This also brings comfort to the company, as putting barriers in place and concealing the true identities of employees is essential for W.I.L.L.O.W.I.S.P.'s secretive purposes. Depending on the agent, some aliases that are picked simply 'sound cool' while others have very significant meanings to the operative. Settling upon an official WILLOWISP alias is one of the first things that an agent must do. At the beginning of an agent's recruitment process, they are instructed to fill out the form with their biological information and given birth name, along with all kinds of other important true facts. Then, a week into orientation, they are presented with another set of papers that are almost identical to fill out. This time, however, they are instructed to complete the forms using information that will then forward determine the status of the agent's persona at W.I.L.L.O.W.I.S.P. while also providing practice for keeping up aliases and remembering information about false identities. These WISPersonas, unlike normal aliases, will carry on with the agent for the rest of their life at the company, so they are given a good week to finalize everything. Once they are done, the officially submit the paperwork and are expected to assume their identity. They will answer to the name they selected. When going out in the field, W.I.L.L.O.W.I.S.P. operatives typically utilize yet another false identity, but these are expendable. The temporary identities are often assoicated with specific missions and are not expected to be used long-term. However, whenever the agent as an individual is referenced, their official agency persona will be given.

History

From the inception of W.I.L.L.O.W.I.S.P., operatives have utilized alter egos. Since, the process has become more streamlined to the point where most people have adapted to their names more easily.

Execution

When an agent is recruited, they are tasked to fill out a form that details all their actual information. Then, they are assigned an agent number and entered into the Onboarding process. After a week of onboarding, they are given the new forms to fill out with their own customized persona details. Then, they have the remainder of onboarding (the final week) to test it out with their fellow recruits and the W.I.L.L.O.W.I.S.P. staff members who have been guiding them along the process. At the end of this period, they will confirm the details they have set forth, thus completely assuming their WISPersona.

Components and tools

During the process, a person may want to change more personal details about themself other than just their name. This may include hair style and color, eye color, tattoos, 'birth marks' and other various identifying features.

Participants

Every employee at W.I.L.L.O.W.I.S.P., regardless of rank, skill, or position must create a WISPersona. This is for the safety of the company, the employees, and their family and friends. Whether the individual is an Elite Espionage or a Janitor, they must not utilize their real given name while working on W.I.L.L.O.W.I.S.P. premises or conducting any duties for the agency.

Observance

The actual granting of the WISPersona is official at the end of Onboarding. During onboarding, as not to get anyone used to utilizing their acutal given names, agents are referred to by their agent numbers. This process does become quite a challenge for both the agents and the the existing W.I.L.L.O.W.I.S.P. staff who must address them, but most staff members are used to it and refer to each new team member as a random nickname they assign. The Onboarding crew is not allowed to know the true identities of these new agents. Only admissions has access to the original files. Later on, the Commander who presides over their assignment will have access, along with certian Higher-Ups, but most people will never know the agent's acutal given names unless they are told directly by the individuals themselves.

Commander McCox gives newbies the rundown: Did you choose an agent name already? If not, think long and hard about it because you'll be stuck with it for the rest of your life--at least for your entire career here at this organization. W.I.L.L.O.W.I.S.P. believes it's imperative to establish a WISPersona for the safety of yourself, others, and the company as a whole. If anything happens to you, it will be more difficult to trace back to your normal life, family, friends, and colleagues, though, admittedly, most W.I.L.L.O.W.I.S.P. employees don't have many attachments outside of the organization. It's likely for that very reason why the agency decides to recruit who they do. I remember when I first joined the agency. I was younger than I am now. I chose my name really carefully. It was based on a lot of things. Funny enough, I don't quite remember exactly what I was thinking at the time. I know it had something to do with...a boxer? An astronaut? I don't know. one of these celebrities I thought were super cool back in the day. And then there were those cool sneakers I wanted for Christmas when I was a teen. And, it might seem crazy, but I remember there was probably something related to this girl in college I had a crush on. Somehow, all that together is how I came up with it: Gerald Alexander McCox.

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