Customs SRT

[FullForce]

I was looking at the US Customs page and I had a few questions.

To get on a Customs Service SRT team, is it pretty much like the other federal agencies in that you need to do at least or around three years service as an agent before you can request SRT.

Also, do anyone have any inside info/experience on what it is like to work for the Customs dept.

And do you get to request where you would like to work i.e. can you request Florida.

Thanks,

Full Force all the Way

[Gunpoint]

I have been on ONE and only ONE warrant with Customs SRT folks.

I'll never do it again.

[FullForce]

1811,

Why would you never again go on a warrant with a Customs SRT team?

Are they that bad?

If possible can you ellaborate further on your reply to the previous post.

Thanks,

Full Force all the Way

[Sharky]

(standing by patiently waiting to hear your answer)

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F.I.D.O.

[RECON5]

Are we circling the chum Sharky ?????

[Sharky]

Matter of fact, I am. Want to see what our local FBI man has to say before I light the flamethrower. Hell, I ain't even in customs. Anyways I'm not gonna comment yet. Just hope he isn't of the same mindset as a lot of FBI guys that I know.

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F.I.D.O.

[Fred]

from an outsider who observed SRT training on maritime tgts, I thought their screening could use some work, as their talent/ability levels varied tremendously

[jcollettusa]

That is interesting, I wonder what their screening process consists of?

[This message has been edited by jcollettusa (edited 10-08-2000).]

[Sharky]

Fred, they simply don't have the pool of people to select from that some of the other agencies do. You have to be an 1811 series (criminal investigator) to even try out for the team and there just aren't that many of them in the USCS. That's not the teams fault. That stems from D.C.. They do the best they can with what they have to choose from and the funds they receive, which compared to some agencies, isn't that much. Most 1811's are either what we call "street hires" which are college kids with little to no experience or guys who have been in 15-18 years who just want to get their retirement and get out. Nothing against either one of these groups, I'm trying to get an 1811 job right now myself. But, for the most part that is what they are made up of. My agency is lucky I guess, because ANY agent can try out for our spec-ops team (BORTAC). I have been involved in Spec-ops for 13 years and can tell you that BORTAC is second to noone in FED LE. They have an awesome team but are kept very low-profile with the exception of the Elian Gonzales raid. Even with that hi-profile raid, most people still don't know that it was BORTAC who actually carried out that op. There are a lot of good people out there who are not 1811's who contribute greatly to their teams and there are a lot of 1811's out there who have no business even carrying a weapon. That goes for EVERY agency. Customs, FBI, DEA and even my agency the USBP. This, like I said before, comes from people in D.C. who have no idea about what these teams actually do. Hopefully, this will help you understand why the screening process might not be up to par for those guys. They don't have a whole lot to choose from so they have to take what they can get.


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F.I.D.O.

[This message has been edited by Sharky (edited 10-09-2000).]

[Fred]

Sharky - that makes me wonder about the utility of having every single federal agency field a SWAT-type unit. Eliot COhen wrote a book titled Commando's and Politicians, in which he states that politicians have an inane attraction to/fondness for to high-speed elite units. It seems applicable here.

[Gunpoint]

I withdraw my remark. It was an unfair characterization based on one operation. The team leader was fat. That doesn't mean all SRT folks are. What I did was called stereotyping. I have been the victim of that a million times, so I know better.

On to other things...

Sharky - WTF is an FBI mindset? I wasn't aware I was issued one at the Academy.

And as far as FED LE Tac Teams go...my vote is FBI HRT. But ultimately, who cares?? It seems to me that most who argue about who is better than who are zit-faced wannabes, not operators. You and I can only keep our shit in one sock and stay switched on so we don't drop the ball when Uncle Sugar calls.

BTW- good luck on the 1811 job. Have you tried Dept of State BDS? My buddy loves it.

[Sharky]

Fred, I agree and point well taken.

1811, My last post was not directed at you personally and I hope it didn't come across that way. BUT, the fact is that a lot of FBI agents have this attitude that they are the most superior being in Law Enforcement. I'll give you my most recent example. A couple of weeks ago, we apprehended a foreign national who admittedly had specific ties to an islamic terrorist organization. Well, naturally, we called the local field office of the FBI and informed them of what we had. After a short period of time, they show up and proceed to "take charge of the situation". They told the apprehending agent to leave the room while they interviewed this guy because he wasn't "cleared" to hear what might be said. Well, to make a long story short, my boss ripped them a new asshole and reminded them that this subject was in OUR custody and that they were visitors in OUR house and if they didn't like it they could tote their asses back to the Federal building. The moral of the story is that it wasn't what they said but rather the manner in which they said it and their arrogant attitudes. I am rather impressed with your last post where you admitted that you were stereotyping and that you were wrong for doing it. That's why I said that I would wait to hear your explanation before I said anything else about it. You admitted that you were wrong and I respect that. Frankly, I am as guilty as you of stereotyping I guess. I know better too. If I did then I apologize. I enjoy talking with you on this forum because we have some things in common and you have proven that you can take it as well as you can dish it out. Hope we can remain friends. BTW, I would like some more info on the Dept. of state thing you were talking about. Sounds interesting. Lastly, I wasn't starting one of those "who's the best?" arguments when I mentioned BORTAC. I was only saying that they had an advantage in their selection process because they are not limited to choosing from 1811's like a lot of agencies. As for who is the best, well, once again, apples and oranges.

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F.I.D.O.

[Gunpoint]

Don't know the story behind the FBI Agents you dealt with. But consider this...it is possible that they had to talk about stuff that you guys may not have been cleared for. However, it how you tell people that that gets you in trouble.

Anyway...Dept of State Bureau of Diplomatic Security has agents that have a two-fold mission:

1. Visa/pasport fraud (often means terroroism investigations) in US Field Offices
2. Regional Security Officer at overseas US embassies

My buddy is in the DC Field Office. He's on a USMS Task Force. He's already bagged trips to Norway, Spain and the UK on protection missions. They have a tactical team called the Mobile Security Team, or something like that, which is a part-time high risk protection detail for overseas.

These guys make alot of per diem and $$$ over and above Availability Pay.

Great gig. If I wasn't doing what I am doing now, I'd do that.

[Mike]

The DSS is at http://www.heroes.net/
to be a RSO, you'll to work at a field office first for some time. Then on to Africa, Middle East and South America. If you're good, then it is Europe and Asia. Oh, the MSG NCO will report to you. So don't mess with the Marines.

[Sharky]

Like I said, it wasn't what they said it was their attitude. You know exactly what I'm talking about. Next time it happens, I don't look for any of our guys to contact the FBI. Enough about that. Thanks for the info on the DSS. I'll definitely look into it.

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F.I.D.O.

[LRSC Grunt]

I like their motto:

"We can give you ($)7 million reasons to stop terrorists."

[StapleGun]

FBI-HRT
Sorry, speaking from experience, not the sream of the crop.

[StapleGun]

Neither is my spelling HA! Not the cream of the crop.

[StapleGun]

What is the latest issue sidearm for the 1811 series at USCS? Have they gone to Glocks in 9mm (17's or 19s?) Also, is the policy now locked to solely the Glock or are other "personally" owned allowed?

[StapleGun]

I concur Sharky....