Chick drama in the form of an action show

Funny how in most episodes of Covert Affairs the main character Annie Walker contemplates whether the balancing act between work and her personal life is worth it, or she is given occasion to think about it once again by the actions of others, or another character gives her advice. Would this happen in real life, with the CIA? "Remember, it's just a job," doesn't really seem to be a realistic attitude at the CIA, except perhaps among the careerists and bureaucrats. One would think that it is staffed by gung-ho patriots who make it their life.