USSS Badges

[HmtPD]

I am a police officer, and have assisted the Secret Service a few times. I have seen two different badges. I have see the star, as well as one that looks like a shield with a star on it. Do they denote rank or what?
Also, what is that likleyhood of someone without a degree becoming a Special Agent. I have seen in the requirements that a Bachelors is not required with LE experience.
It reads a degree "or" experience, "or" both.

[USMCSNIPERONE]

I believe the Shield is for the Uniformed Division Officers and the Star is for Special Agents. I was 57 pages into the application process and about to head to DC for testing, when a fall from a ladder resulting in a broken elbow and wrist put a stick in my spokes. One thing led to another and to my dissapointment that career path was sidetracked.

I was applying for the Uniformed Officer position, so I can't help much with the Special Agent criteria.

[HmtPD]

Am I correct in that the uniformed division is only in the DC area for the most part?

[Sinister Dave]

Uniformed Division guys wear the badge, Special Agents the star.

Think of the UD guys as the "NCO Corps" (no degree required) whereas the Special Agents usually have degrees (in anything).

UD guys are the snipers and normally the CAT Team members who ride the Black Suburban, and man the Firearms Training Staff.

[drunyon]

Here's the REAL scoop on the badges of the Secret Service.

The current issue badge for a Special Agent is what's commonly referred to as the "coffin" badge. It is sort of coffin shaped and has a star as it's center design. It is gold in color.

The coffin badge replaced the older style star badge many years ago.

The Uniform Division of the Secret Service uses a shield shaped badge with the White House in relief. I do believe they carry the rank of Officer on them.

You can see photos of the current badges at the following website:

http://www.ustreas.gov/usss/index.htm?opportunities_ud.htm&1

Scroll down a bit when you get there.

Hope this helps.

[jnc36rcpd]

HmtPD, you're correct that UD is primarily assigned to the D.C. metro area. UD may travel with protectees to provide counter-sniper, canine, and magnetometer support. Dave's information may be more current than mine, but my understanding is the Counter Assault Team is composed of Special Agents.

Be safe.

[vrptor]

http://members.easyspace.com/rueckner/us-enforcement/

Give this site a try. It list badges from several federal agencies

[Joe56]

Cat's in the Service are almost always Agents, not UD. The culture clash between tohe two is alive and well. A BA is req'd in most cases for the agent positions. Keep in mind however, most USSS agents on the job now only have about 3 years exp. So, if you have more than that, go for it.

[HmtPD]

Well, heres the deal....

I am going full force for my degree and am looking at about 3 more years to complete. Meaning I will start applying in about two more years, which will put me at about 30ish when I finish my degree, with approx 7 years LE experience and about 5 years SWAT time.
What is that average age for a Special Agent applicant? Do they get alot of recent college grads (22-24 yr olds) or are they usually experienced, older types?

[RogueExec]

According to a discussion I had with the Deputy Director down in Salt Lake, the average age of USSS personnel is 27.

The UD used to be separate from the USSS, but was added under the USSS umbrella back about 20 years ago or so.

There were plenty of UD officers down in Salt Lake, working the Vehicle Screening Areas and the Magnetometer areas. Way more UD officers than SA's.

USSS will also now accept years of "related active service" in place of a full 4-year degree. They are hurting for people right now. So is US Customs.

Shoot any other inquiries to me at:

FireTeamAlpha@msn.com

ROGUE

[Am_Patriot]

Please pardon my intrusion gentelmen. I am curious as to the C.A.T. reference. I folowed the link to the badges and noticed a "search" window and typed in CAT, Team and hit search. This resulted in Zero hits, but went to another .gov site. At this site, I was asked if I wished to do another search, so I typed in "C.A.T." and hit search.
I came up with a page that seems to have encrypted info. Here is the link.

http://www.firstgov.gov/fgsearch/index.jsp?srcform=query&rn=1&parsed=true&mt0=all&fr=0&ms0=should&mw0=C.A.T.&in0=any&dom0=U.S.S.S.&db=www&st=AS&nr=10&act.search=Submit

Seems to me that if this info is of such a "High Security" nature as to be encrypted that this souldn't be revealed to the general public for possable decoding.

I realize that most citizens lack the ability to decode this info, but a hacker might be able to break this code.
With several encryption programs readily available to the average consumer, a person able to write code would have access to this data base.

Just a concerned citizen/taxpayer...

I would like to know what CAT does stand for. Counter assault team, or assination team?

[HmtPD]

Counter Assault Team.

The Secret Service unit that travels with the President, much like a SWAT unit. The unit will counter any attacks on the protectee. They also act as the SWAT for the White House and are deployed during threats.

Before anyone busts a blood vessel, this is common knowledge. They are continually showing them on CNN..faces and all.

[Am_Patriot]

I have a small S.S. office that qualifies at my range. I could have waited to ask the Special Agent/Trainer at their next qual. but didn't think that this could be viewed as a security issue, or I would never have asked the question.

Hope that you find the position with the S.S. that works for you.
Good Luck!