Membership in MJ12 comes about in a number of ways. One automatically belongs if holding a certain position in the government, a high level bureaucrat; one can be assigned to active duty within MJ12; or one can be requested to join if their services are required. Once a member, one is always a member, though the status may move from active to inactive. Inactive members have the advantage over the general public of knowing about MJ12, but they hold no other advantages. Of all the agencies in the US, MJ12 has the strictest rules, with the most brutal consequences for infractions. Any rumors that present or former intelligence operatives or select members of the military industrial complex are being granted special favors are patently false. The mythical Aviary does not exist.