Thread:Bratpack/@comment-24815383-20150330190531/@comment-24675861-20150331005514

The S.H.I.E.L.D. Civil War had not happened yet. There were no "HYDRA operatives", per se, until that happened. Von Strucker was in S.H.I.E.L.D. when that happened so he was a S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent. That's why he's worried about Fury in CATWS.

We do have proof that he was recruited by HYDRA in the comic book; how could he recruit Smith to work for HYDRA if he wasn't already a member. He is similar to Sitwell in that respect. Garrett told the soldiers surrounding him that he knew some were recruited by Sitwell, knowing that HYDRA recruited HYDRA. There was a lengthy debate about whether the guy from Item 47 was a HYDRA operative because Sitwell recruited him. Since Strucker had Smith kill the other scientist to prove his loyalty while he (Strucker) still worked for S.H.I.E.L.D. in Sokovia, then Strucker was in HYDRA during his time as a S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent.

For the last one, I have to do more research. It would be based on CATWS. Strucker did not step up until after Pierce died. So "I feel" that Pierce and Zola were the leaders (Pierce freed Reinhardt in AoS and no one ranked higher than him in S.H.I.E.L.D., thus HYDRA) of HYDRA and no one else filled that void until after the Civil War started. The council of leaders had a chair for Strucker and Whitehall; List took Strucker's place at the meeting and Bakshi was next in line to replace Whitehall. " I believe"  that Strucker took Pierce 's seat...

I hope that helps. I'm sure others will add to the discussion in the days to come...