Eric J. Caron

Eric J. Caron is a retired United States federal special agent and security commentator whose career involved terrorism, money laundering, transnational crime, and investigations touching several government agencies. Switched On, subtitled The Heart and Mind of a Special Agent, is his memoir of growing up in a large Massachusetts family, following the example of his police-officer father, and moving into federal investigative work. The book describes cases involving defense contractors, weapons programs, overseas assignments, and a major investigation close to his family home. Caron presents the phrase “switched on” as a habit of alertness, preparation, and attention rather than simply a description of professional surveillance. After retirement he used the same framework in public speaking and media commentary about security and personal awareness. Switched On is therefore both a career narrative and an explanation of the principles he believes guided his decisions. Its family material provides context for the professional episodes, connecting public service to the example set by his father.