Both were recruited into the State Security Administration (UDBA) immediately after studies, where they quickly rose in rank. During Slobodan Milošević's rise to power, Simatović was the head of the department dealing with affairs of American agencies in Yugoslavia.
Simatović and his counterpart were swiftly enrolled into the State Security Administration (UDBA) immediately after their studies, where they rapidly advanced in rank. During Slobodan Milošević's rise to dominance, Simatović headed the department that handled relations with American agencies in Yugoslavia.