Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

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JitsuBear
10-03-09, 08:31 PM
Recently have began seriously looking into advancing myself in my LE career. I have learned A Lot the past few weeks about the Marshals new hiring process, and have found out that Region 1, my region has already opened and closed its intake of applicants. I constantly check their site since i am very interested, and saw Region 5 is soon going. question is, does anyone out there know if Region 1 will go "again". Or will any of the regions repeat their "hiring drive"? their hiring process is very frustrating, outside the "drives" they have, does anyone know if its possible to get an app in through a recruiter? i called one but had to leave a message. the process they have now seems idiotic considering the way they have people calling in to reserve a seat lol. im sure very qualified, eager people do not get in due to this and people with little or no experience for this advanced job are getting seats lol.
Jennifer
10-03-09, 08:58 PM
im sure very qualified, eager people do not get in due to this and people with little or no experience for this advanced job are getting seats lol. Give me a break.
Eager people do get it because they check the USMS website religiously and jump on the opportunity when it arises! :)
Good luck, but Region 1 is just now starting to do interviews next week so I doubt that it will reopen again anytime soon.
ATF may still be open. Check their website. I also think there is a thread on it here somewhere.
JitsuBear
10-03-09, 09:21 PM
Thanks for the info. yea by my statements i was refering to the fact that people who are a hell of a lot more qualified then others can likley miss out simply becasue they werent "lucky" enough to get through on the phone. if it was simply put in an app and well pick the best candidates, well then they would have their choice of the most competitive people, thats just a fact. Next round through they should just make people buy Wonka Bars and if you get a Golden Ticket and meet the Minimal Requirements you get the opportunity to apply. I suppose they have their reasons. thanks again for the info. just doesnt make much sense to me :)
Jennifer
10-03-09, 09:42 PM
No problem. It's frustrating to know that you missed something simply because you didn't see it or know about it in time. And that can happen regardless of the profession.
Instead of calling, this time it was done by email but it was still a "who can get there email in the quickest" sort of feel.
JitsuBear
10-03-09, 10:00 PM
Yea i noticed that with the email thing. Due to "timing" i recently decided to begin looking into advancing my career, ive been where i am now for 7yrs full time, im 27. luckily enough i am only interested in a few agencies lol, the Marshals being one of the ones i am most interested in, and it looks like i just missed my region, region 1 by a couple of months. :no: what can you do....
Jennifer
10-03-09, 10:25 PM
Move on to other agencies that are hiring now and try for that
Switchback
10-04-09, 12:04 AM
Thanks for the info. yea by my statements i was refering to the fact that people who are a hell of a lot more qualified then others can likley miss out simply becasue they werent "lucky" enough to get through on the phone. if it was simply put in an app and well pick the best candidates, well then they would have their choice of the most competitive people, thats just a fact. Next round through they should just make people buy Wonka Bars and if you get a Golden Ticket and meet the Minimal Requirements you get the opportunity to apply. I suppose they have their reasons, but I would believe that the only people who Agree with this process are the people who wouldnt stand much of a chance getting into the USMs if they were forced to compete with Everyone, not just the ones who get a seat at these Drive Info Sessions. thanks again for the info. just doesnt make much sense to me :)
Here's another handy little fact for you: The last time that we did open hiring, it was called racist. I never could find the racism in letting ANYONE (who had 2.5 years of LE, a 4 year degree or a combination of the 2) take the exam, interviewing those that had the highest scores and then hiring those who interviewed best... but that is just me. Then again, we were hired straight to 1811s and my academy class of 48 was comprised of only a couple individuals that had degrees without LE or or no degrees (but extensive military and/or LE). Most had military, degrees AND LE.
The initiatives that followed were supposed to be the answer to our "hiring woes". How about the wonderful co-op program that was little more than a recruitment tool for minority females who recently graduated college and had no experience whatsoever. Shining Star was a noble idea, hiring recently separated military vets, but almost all were lacking degrees.
Now, JitsuBear, you would think that I would agree with your above statement, gathered from your what I gather to be a very limited knowledge of things in the USMS and their hiring. I particularly love how, in all of your expertise, you think that the only people who would agree with this would be those who could not compete, were it to be opened to all applicants. :rolleyes:
You see, while I would like the process to be opened up, I don't completely disagree with the current process. It sucks, having to call or email to get a chance to apply, but it is what it is. We are dealing with constraints set by main Justice. You are eager to chastise the process, based on your erroneous assumptions that less-than-qualified people will be hired. This, admittedly silly 1st step, only means that those that get on the list can apply. There are a lot of other dynamics that come into the process for those that apply, of which you are not privy... and I am not going to bother putting out on a forum.
Those of us in government service don't bother trying to make sense of things. I would rather spend my energy on getting the job done and doing it the best I can... and my colleagues in the hiring process are no different.
...and this is just MY opinion. FWIW (in case you missed it above), I DID compete in an open announcement (something like 15K took the TEA exam that I took), so I think I can compete just fine. :)
500pearl
10-04-09, 12:47 AM
Thanks for the info. yea by my statements i was refering to the fact that people who are a hell of a lot more qualified then others can likley miss out simply becasue they werent "lucky" enough to get through on the phone. if it was simply put in an app and well pick the best candidates, well then they would have their choice of the most competitive people, thats just a fact. Next round through they should just make people buy Wonka Bars and if you get a Golden Ticket and meet the Minimal Requirements you get the opportunity to apply. I suppose they have their reasons, but I would believe that the only people who Agree with this process are the people who wouldnt stand much of a chance getting into the USMs if they were forced to compete with Everyone, not just the ones who get a seat at these Drive Info Sessions. thanks again for the info. just doesnt make much sense to me :)
as applicants and even as dusm or employee in any agency, law enforcement or not, we have no input and say on the hiring process. the same goes for other administrative and policies established by higher ups. not to sound corny but i have to quote top gun, there is a line when viper was lecturing mav and goose on breaking the hard deck policy. he stated "gentlemen we are not here to set policy, that job is for civilians." the military aspect does not apply but the principle does. as employees we do not have control the legislation and publication of policies, just the enforcement aspect. as federal law enforcement officers, i imagine the main goal is to enforce and accomplish established agency missions, policies, and goals.
i understand your frustration with the hiring process, it may seem a bit unusual by not conforming to the standardized practices we are accustomed to. nonetheless, it is what it is. either you abide by the rules and do as instructed or you dont and forgo the opportunity to apply. if they want you, like what they see on the resume and interview, they will select you to continue on the hiring process. but if you have a hissy fit and not apply in spite of the nature of the process, then you may regret it and not forgive yourself for not seizing the opportunity.
as far as racism, i did not see any mention in your post regarding racism. whether we like it or not, racism exists in all aspects of society, in the workplace, on the streets, in schools, you name it is present. most people have a preconceived notions instilled or developed in their brains and personalities and that is something which cannot be altered. but do be careful about making such dangerous accusations without solid proof, to avoid having your name placed on the blacklist and being disqualified from future federal law enforcement vacancies, or even possibly legal recourse taken against you.
there are many other vacancies out there, be on the lookout. utilize this forum (as well as others out there) in conjunction with usajobs to gauge future openings and information about the agency specific hiring steps.
JitsuBear
10-04-09, 12:49 PM
100%, i do not have extensive knowledge of the USMS or their old or new hiring process. I was just posting based off of my understanding of it, i have been talking to people on here and have read everything that i can find online, im trying, but im aware that my understanding could still be piss poor. Ill take the words of the ones in the service on that, i was just throwing things out there. I wasnt posting anything to offend anyone, i was frustrated that after i figured out kinda how the process went i realized i missed my region after i began looking into advancing my career. I fully understand the way policies are handed down, and how things go. it is what it is, and you can bet your as5 if i can get a seat ill shut my mouth and do so. this was a forum, i use for gathering info and bsing when i have down time. i wasnt posting with the attitude that i was All-knowing, nor was i posting anything with a crazy Serious tone. i currently have a great job, it is what it is. again sorry if i offended anyone,wasnt the intention, but i can see how it may have came off. I didnt take the posting all that serious, next time ill be more careful with what i write, i was venting more than anything else. Later but thanks for the info.
JitsuBear
10-04-09, 12:54 PM
And Switch i edited that part out about how the only people who would like this process are the ones who wouldnt want to compete. haha after i re-read it, yes it was just me being a pissed-off nasty lil cus. Understand my frustration lol. and leave it to you to call me out on it lol. sorry man didnt mean to offend. but i did leave that line about the wonka bars, i found that funny, no matter how inaccurate. AND your statements actually helped clarify a few things for me, i am New to all of this and the hiring process...next time i wont jump the gun, or post things with such certainty. Be good.
Switchback
10-04-09, 01:49 PM
Oh, no big deal. Like I said, we could all make suggestions how it could be better. I am with you, wishing it was open to everyone to apply for vacancies. However, with stuck with an odd first step. With that said, you just need to keep in mind that this only allows them to apply. It does not mean they will be hired. :)
Switch, am I wrong or do they no longer hire in 1811's from the outside. I was thinking that was an internal promotion now?
Switchback
10-04-09, 06:01 PM
Everyone is hired as an 082 and then, later, makes 1811. There is an occasional announcement for some weird displaced worker announcement for 1811s from other agencies (so I hear), but I don't know anything about it.
gman158
10-04-09, 06:40 PM
Hey everyone! Just wondering about the FLETC training program. Is it still 10 weeks for CITP training followed by the 6 month add on for the USMS? I'm hoping with the new fiscal year in effect that we all start moving a little bit closer to the "call".
Good luck!
Switchback
10-04-09, 06:58 PM
You have it about right. However, we are in a continuing resolution, so you canot expect things to start moving until after the budget is signed off.
Just wondering about the FLETC training program. Is it still 10 weeks for CITP training followed by the 6 month add on for the USMS?
CITP is 12 weeks. The BDUSM add-on is 6 weeks. Total time at FLETC for CITP / BDUSM is 18 training weeks, +/- a few days.
NY2CALI
10-04-09, 09:40 PM
Switch,
I LIKE THIS ONE:
Those of us in government service don't bother trying to make sense of things. I would rather spend my energy on getting the job done and doing it the best I can...
Makes so much sense!
davejoyce2000
10-08-09, 11:33 PM
...
Jennifer
10-10-09, 11:10 PM
...
????
davejoyce2000
10-13-09, 02:27 PM
I need some advice. I received an invitation for the Little Rock info session. Should I go or not? If I go I have to fly there from New Hampshire and rent an hotel which cost about $300-$400. I have a spot clean background, credit, and driving record. Problem is I don't have any L.E. or military background. Is it worth the time and money to attend?
Was my invitation based on the time they received my e-mail or do they invite you based on actually reviewing the information you wrote in your e-mail?
schoromanski
10-13-09, 04:56 PM
I need some advice. I received an invitation for the Little Rock info session. Should I go or not? If I go I have to fly there from New Hampshire and rent an hotel which cost about $300-$400. I have a spot clean background, credit, and driving record. Problem is I don't have any L.E. or military background. Is it worth the time and money to attend?
Was my invitation based on the time they received my e-mail or do they invite you based on actually reviewing the information you wrote in your e-mail?
Hey Ron,
I strongly encourage you to go. I attended the info session for the USMS in portland. Yes it was expensive but it was very informative. As a marshal said to me when i asked this question, do not close the door on yourself, let them close the door on you instead. You never know unless you try. I do not know what your background is? But the USMS like any other agency doesnt necessary want always the "average joe" with police and military skills, they want people that are different too. College students, people with accounting, computer science backgrounds, languages, engineers.. all of them are highly desirable. I will probably here back about whether not I have an interview in the next few months. USMS are hiring 20% on to their whole workforce, it may be YEARS until they do this huge hiring initiative again.
PS Ron your mailbox is full.
Steve
Jennifer
10-13-09, 06:38 PM
I need some advice. I received an invitation for the Little Rock info session. Should I go or not? If I go I have to fly there from New Hampshire and rent an hotel which cost about $300-$400. I have a spot clean background, credit, and driving record. Problem is I don't have any L.E. or military background. Is it worth the time and money to attend?
Was my invitation based on the time they received my e-mail or do they invite you based on actually reviewing the information you wrote in your e-mail?
How bad do you want this? If this is something you think you would enjoy and have always had an interest in (which I assume you must if you took the time to look up their site), then go for it. Think of this as an investment in your future.
I am speaking out of context here, but I assume that someone must read the initial emails. If I remember correctly, they ask you to answer questions regarding your experiences and education. I would imagine that is read especially since they ask if you have been convicted of any crimes or misdemeanors.
I agree with schoromanski. I have a MSW and a MA in Psychology and I'm in the process.
davejoyce2000
10-13-09, 09:17 PM
Thanks for your replies.
I'm currently residing in New Hampshire. I didn't receive an invitation for my region here. But I did receive an invitation for Arkansas. I'm very willing to relocate to Arkansas if hired. How many times do I have to travel to Arkansas to complete the entire hiring process/steps? I want to calculate how much it will cost me in total to travel back and forth. Are there any hiring steps that can be done here at my local Marshal's office so I don't have to travel to Arkansas?
You will have to travel to some city within that region if you're selectedfor an interview. The med, drug and fit test will be completed in your area. I understand that it is difficult having to make this decision wether to take the time off and spend the money to go to an informational session in which you may, or may not even move forward in the hiring process, however you should have probably made that decision before registering to attend the informational session, as there are thousands of well qualified individuals dying to get a chance at joining the USMS. Only you can decide wether this move is worth it for you or not. I did, twice and I'm now done with the hiring process just waiting on a final offer. By the way, I also do not have any prior military or LE experience, I do have investigative experience though. If you do decide not to go, please let the USMS know so that someone else on standby can have a chance. Good luck to you in whatever decision you make.
davejoyce2000
10-14-09, 11:50 PM
I have decided to go and booked my plane tickets. Now I'm getting my documents ready. Should I use the resume from USAJobs or my personal resume? How many years back should I list my jobs, 7 or 10 years? Do they need an official or unofficial college transcript? I can't get a copy of my driving record. Will having an accurate knowledge of my driving history from the last 7 years suffice? In what situation do you need to provide an SF-50 form? Sorry for all the questions.
Dave,
Good to hear that you'll be taking advantage of this great opportunity. I would play it safe and go with 10 years for your prior work experience. Try to get an official copy of your college transcripts. Bring your own resume, even though I'm pretty sure you'll have to fill out a OF-612 (like a resume) and OF-306 (Declaration for federal employment) if so you'll be prepared. Why can't you get a copy of your driving record? you should be able to go and get one at the BMV for a minimal fee. I live in OH and the BMV only goes back three years here so that's what I took with me. You can also contact your insurance company and they shoul be able to give you a complete history. The USMS really cares about your driving history! You only need to provide an SF-50 if you are a federal employee. Good Luck.
LongShot1113
10-18-09, 07:21 PM
So I have noticed that the USMS has posted the FCIP announcement at the beginning of the last few months. Is this a coincidence or a pattern? Also, this has probably been discussed at a great extent, but does anyone know the next region that will open up? Thanks for your time.
Last week I received a letter from USMS HQ, asking me to update my status as a current 1811. The letter also asked me to put three districts that I would work. Is this a good sign, or what?
renalder
11-28-09, 11:30 AM
Last week I received a letter from USMS HQ, asking me to update my status as a current 1811. The letter also asked me to put three districts that I would work. Is this a good sign, or what?
I got the same one. I haven't heard a thing since the interview in 2007.
Well, it is good, in a bad way, that someone else has been waiting as long as I have for USMS. Do you think we'll ever see the light at the end?
NY2CALI
11-30-09, 09:59 PM
I have been waiting since 2007 and I got the call for DEC class last week!
Jennifer
12-01-09, 06:42 AM
Wow. Congratulations!!
Yeah,
Congrads NY2CALI.
Are you coming over as a lateral 1811?
Maverick24
12-01-09, 07:38 PM
I have been waiting since 2007 and I got the call for DEC class last week!
Congrats on getting the call! Hope you like to PT, i see those guys caked in mud and sweat all the time down here. Gotta love those "rope runs" :biggrin5:
NY2CALI
12-02-09, 02:13 PM
Thanks all.............
I am not an 1811 lateral....
FCIP candidate....
Yes.... I love PT and mud.... :(