Question about Federal

[mh75th]

Hey all, I'm a long time visitor to this site just discovered this forum. My question is how good of a chance would someone like myself have at getting into a federal law enforcement agency D.E.A. preferably or one of the others with a masters in CJ, a minors in Spanish and 4 years military experience. Any help/answers you could provide would be great, thanks....

[grrlcop74]

It's going to depend on what the ones you are competing against have. One of the complaints I hear from recruiters for the various agencies is not enough applicants with prior LE experience. They get plenty with education out the wazoo, but few experienced LE types want to leave their job to take a paycut (at least for the first couple of years) and join the feds. So if you're up against those with LE experience, not so hot; it's also going to depend on which particular agency, because most would prefer any degree but CJ. But it all comes down to how many slots, how many applicants, etc. Sometimes the ones you think have it nailed don't get picked up, and vice versa. Just speaking from experience in my little neck of the woods; others may have seen differently.

Kristen

[SSMV]

I have a similar background and applied to the DEA and what they told me is that they wanted to recruit people with 'criminal investigative' experience. Some agencies will accept your background, and some won't. It all depends.

Good Luck!

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"...America is a family...We've got to start remembering that no member of our family should be satisfied if any member of our American family is suffering or in need and we can do something about it."

[WS-G]

Originally posted by mh75th:
4 years military experience.
Fair or unfair, this will not get you any special consideration. The system couldn't give a rat's ass whether you were a high-speed or a pogue; everyone gets the same 5-point bonus (10 if you're disabled!) on the entrance exam and nothing more.

For every former-active, retired, or active Reserve Component SOF (or even conventional Combat Arms) warrior who does get hired, there are at least as many who don't.

I suspect a straw poll of "ex military" types working for any agency at any level would reveal far more former REMFs than "real" soldiers.

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Podunk Co. S.O. — An Equal Opportunity Employer — now hiring!
(successful kinfolk only will be notified)

[Augie]

Some real Federal Law Enforcementare a little harder to get into but, INS I'm sure would hire you with No prob. (just not as one of the Very Special Agents)

[grrlcop74]

Originally posted by William M Salter:
I suspect a straw poll of "ex military" types working for any agency at any level would reveal far more former REMFs than "real" soldiers.

=============================================

Podunk Co. S.O. — An Equal Opportunity Employer — now hiring!
(successful kinfolk only will be notified)

Come, come now Salter..your bitterness is showing again. Considering that these agencies don't need someone to patrol, HALO, or attach limpet mines, a la combat arms, I believe that the discipline and other "ethereal" benefits of military service are more of what the feds are looking for. And those things don't require combat arms experience. Just two cents from a former not a "real" soldier.

Kristen

[Gunpoint]

The main focus of MOST Federal LE is investigative in nature. Backgrounds are assessed with an eye toward how you will do in the future, not what you've done in the past.

Tactical units like FBI SWAT/HRT, ATF SRT, USBP BORTAC, etc., may need some of the skills you've picked up in the military, but for the most part, they'll train you at schools of their own.

On my Fed SWAT Team, there are 40 or so operators. Ten were former Marines. Five were combat arms, and five were not. All ten are shit hot. Six former Army officers on the team include four Ranger-qualified officers. One guy was a Navy Nuclear submariner. He is one of the best operators to ever suit up and hit the door, and he's a very smart, successful investigator as well. There is a former USAF CCT guy, and a USAF Finance guy. Both can move, shoot and communicate as well as anyone I've seen.

HRT has a very interesting mix as well. There are at least four ex-SEALS, tons of USMC and Army infantry, and a strong complement of accountants, lawyers, and former cops. But rest assured that NONE of the ex-military people were hired because of their ability to do mayhem; it was because something in their background suggested that they would be successful street agents.

One last point: I was a USMC Intel "pogue", but man, I'm having fun now. http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/smile.gif

[Tracy]

I can tell you one thing right off: If you're a retired Combat Arms guy; they show you the door before your ass warms the interview seat.

This is at Federal, State, and Local Level. The FBI had a recruiting booth on campus in early '95. They told me flat out that I'm too old and the job is too demanding for a 39 year-old. The main reason I WAS interested in the FBI was Computer Crime Investigations; seeing how I had degrees in Computer Science and Mathematics. He laughed in my face when I said that was a tad discriminatory.

I evened odds a bit by sabotaging his efforts to recruit anyone else on campus. Like the Romans said, you fling enough sh*t, some of it is bound to stick. Waco and Ruby Ridge were still extremely fresh in everyone's mind, and I very viciously brought that to the fore and ground his face in it.

To date, the FBI and all other Federal LE agencies have refused to come back to our campus; as of late 2000.

I understand very much that LE looks for different things in people; and ex-military types cannot provide the best source of recruits. I understand this and try to sell myself based on the qualities they look for; but it's the LE recruiter's prejudices that taint my chances more than my background or experience.


[This message has been edited by Tracy (edited 06-25-2001).]

[Gunpoint]

Tracy-

Federal law prohibits anyone from being hired as a Federal law enforcement officer after their 37th birthday. This is so you can complete 20 years service by the mandatory retirement age of 57. So, anyone who does a full 20 in the military will not get hired, combat arms or otherwise. It is public law and therefore non-waiverable.

If you had been 36, I GUARANTEE you would have gotten much more attention. There are beaucoup former combat arms officers in the FBI and DEA.

[Hugh]

Hey guys this is the same guy who started the thread but when I tried to reply it wouldnt accept my password so I asked for it to be resent to me and it gave me this one so I guess I'll be Hugh for a while, anyways... I had a couple follow up questions because the answers have been so great thus far. The first was pertaining to when Kristen said you would want a degree in anything but CJ, I was wondering if you or anyone could elaborate on that a little more. Also I was wondering how drastically prior experimentation with marijuana effects your chances at a good job in LE whether it be at the local or federal level. I cant be the only one who smoked a few times in high school....

[RogueExec]

Originally posted by Augie:
Some real Federal Law Enforcementare a little harder to get into but, INS I'm sure would hire you with No prob. (just not as one of the Very Special Agents)

Sharky??? Are you one of these VSA's? Or are you a VSOP (Very Special Old Patrolman)?

[jnc36rcpd]

Agencies vary in their policies on prior drug use. In general, most agencies will not DQ for a few instances of marijuana usage in high school. While I'm not sure, I believe any prior drug use is a DQ for DEA.

While times are tough in law enforcement recruiting offices, there are still a great number of CJ majors applying for federal law enforcement. While I don't think the CJ major is as useless as many do (hey, at least I didn't major in communications studies), it would help to bring something a little different to the table.

That said, you've already got your master's. It's too late to switch majors now. Getting hired into local or state law enforcement would probably be the best avenue if your goal is a federal agency. As mentioned, INS Border Patrol might also be a place to start. From personal experience, I'd suggest you look for a large agency which will offer greater opportunities to develop your skills and resume.

Good luck and be safe.

[Swat1]

Tracy,

I am surprised you got that kind of reception, even though you were 39. But, 1811 is right on, federal law prohibits them from even looking at you after the age of 37. Some agencies even cap it a little earlier. Had you been eligible, they would have been all over you. The bureau is full of ex military officers, even combat arms.

Swat1*

[RougeWarrior]

Yes its true that 37 is the maximum age for 1811 series due to the mandatory retirement at age 57. However, there is (to my knowledge) one exception to this rule. A few government positions have "6C" retirement coverage. Under 6C, Time spent in one job can be tranfered to your 1811 job, allowing a lucky few over 37 to be able to get a 1811 position. The catch is the only 6C covered positions are mostly themselves Law Enforcement in Nature. I know the GS-083 (Federal Police Officers) and GS-082 (Deputy U.S. Marshal) are two of the 6C positions

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Ok, I know my name is spelled wrong.....ROGUE

[Tracy]

Originally posted by RougeWarrior:

Ok, I know my name is spelled wrong.....ROGUE



Don't Ask, Don't Tell...

[Sharky]

Naaahhh......nothin special about me. I just do my job and go home so I guess I'm just an old patrolman....LOL. That deal about the mandatory retirement applies to us as well. If you are not in a covered LE position by age 37 you are not eligible to be hired. As I understand it 6C applies to those who are or were covered before and are re-applying at the entry level. Like if you had 5 years of covered experience in the BP and you wanted to go into the DEA at the entry level, your max age would be increased by 5 years to 42. And yes, ANY prior history of drug use is an automatic disqualifier from being hired by DEA.

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F.I.D.O.

[WBRCRT]

Hey..rouge.....this really means that you go after the ladies...right!!!!!

[RogueExec]

I still think that RougeWarrior is some kinda combat Mary Kay thing.

[dragonrain]

Pink Humvee and all.


dr

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"Close only counts in horse shoes and drunk sex"

[RougeWarrior]

OK, CAN ONE OF OF YOU LITTLE ****HEADS TELL ME THEN HOW I CAN CHANGE MY NAME? IF YOU CAN'T THEN SHUT THE **** UP!

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Ok, I know my name is spelled wrong.....ROGUE

[dragonrain]

You can write shit head,its ok, I wont be offended. Go down to the computer thread and post your problem then wait for JR or Ace to tell you how.


DR

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"Close only counts in horse shoes and drunk sex"

[Sharky]

I can't speak for everyone but I can assure you that Rogue and Tracy are much too big and much too old for you to be referring to them as "little shitheads". They were pokin a little fun at ya, nothing more. I suggest you take a look at your defensive capabilities before you fire ineffective rounds at a more capable opponent. Just a little advice.

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F.I.D.O.

[RougeWarrior]

Sorry ya'll... I've been under alot of stress lately and it doesn't take much to set me off.

I'm lost...I've gone to look for myself. Should I come back before I return, please tell me to wait.

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Ok, I know my name is spelled wrong.....ROGUE

[RogueExec]

Originally posted by RougeWarrior:
Sorry ya'll... I've been under alot of stress lately and it doesn't take much to set me off.
[/B]

You've got at least one good hand, don't ya? RELIEVE THAT STRESS!!! http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/wink.gif

DR is right, dude, post your prob on SITENET and let Rambo or Ace hook you up. Now, fair warning, if you come back after the change with some name like MaybellineMonster or RevlonRambo (no offense, Jeff) or some shit like that, you're fair game.



[This message has been edited by RogueExec (edited 06-26-2001).]

[FutureRanger2000]

I can't believe he called Tracy and RogueExec little shitheads. Tracy, don't you have kids older that Mr. Revlon Warrior? http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/biggrin.gif Moulin Rouge warrior, control your temper. There is no excuse for an outburst like that

[grrlcop74]

Hugh, the problem with CJ degrees is that they really don't teach you anything you won't learn in the police academy or during OJT. What you WON'T learn, however, is computer programming, accounting, etc. The CJ degree is fine for local and some state level law enforcement, and having a Masters instead of just a Bachelors will afford you some leverage, but the hiring at the federal level is competitive enough that they can look for more than a CJ and often times get it. But that's water under the bridge at this point. As was suggested above, look at local or state employment to give your packet a boost. Or the Border Patrol would love to have you I'm sure, and they have one of (if not THE) toughest federal academies around. Just ask Baitboy http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/smile.gif.

Kristen

[Tracy]

Originally posted by Sharky:

...I can assure you that Rogue and Tracy are much too big and much too old for you to be referring to them as "little shitheads"...



Thanks, I think.


Rangers never leave their buddies' beehind...

[Sharky]

Whaaaaaaatttttt? Did I leave out fat? LMAO http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/wink.gif

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F.I.D.O.