Julia Wetzel began her cryptologic career as a Special Research Analyst in NSA's Operations organization. While serving in the Legislative Affairs Office in the late 1970s Ms. Wetzel worked with the House Select Committee on Intelligence.

Following her assignment as NSA's representative to the State Department in 1989 Ms. Wetzel received the Presidential-conferred rank of Meritorious Executive. Later as the Soviet Union's Communist regime collapsed Ms. Wetzel was Chief of a major operational analysis group. She saw the Division through the critical time of the Agency's restructuring to align with new world issues. She moved through several managerial positions in the 1990s including Commandant of the National Cryptologic School.

Ms. Wetzel retired from the Agency in 1999 as the Executive Director the third highest-ranking person in NSA.