I'm 16 and my goal is to be an FBI Special Agent. Any advice?

[BigDenny]

First off, I'd just like to say this is a great forum and It's really interesting to just read through the old posts. I just turned 16 a few weeks ago and more than anything else in the world, I want to be an FBI Special Agent. This is something I really want to do and I plan to become active in my local police explorer post as soon as I possibly can. There are two reasons I want to be a LEO; first of all, I want to protect others from being victims of crimes; (my "father" is a convicted felon who abused my mother before he was arrested for embezzlement), and to serve my country in the way I think that I best can. I believe the FBI is uniquely suited to me, and I've already started teaching myself Russian. I have a 157 IQ but I'm very physical, being involved in Varsity Football as a second string lineman with a decent chance at a scholarship, starting to pick up boxing, and starting as a member of Boy Scouts. I plan on attending some college on the East Coast on a football scholarship, and getting a dual Criminal Justice/Law major with possible minors in other courses such as intelligence (my friend assures me this is a course?) and in Russian language studies. I've made a few mistakes, messing around in class and stuff, but nothing serious, I've never been suspended and only received one or two after school detentions at a very strict Catholic school but I've matured a lot since then and I'm committed to playing it straight. Also, I'm considering applying for an FBI or ATF student internship but I'm worried since the background check goes back 7 years to when my father still lived with us and in the years that followed the divorce before high school, I had a few behavioral problems in school and at home, nothing serious, just talking in class, arguments at home, etc. (I've long since moved on). I'm sorry my post is so long, but I'm just looking for feedback and advice on this career. Thanks!

[Rlong1985]

Your question is very difficult to answer at your age, but one this is clear you have several years before you can consider yourself a competitive candidate for any of the agencies.

Intelligence Studies is a real degree path and has become increasing popular with professionals already working in the field or students in the military. Basically it’s the study of intelligence collection, and consumption; providing the product to specific consumers with the elements they need at a speed in which the information is still relevant to the mission.

AMU/APU is highly regarded for being one of the best Online Universities.
AMU Degree Program: Bachelor of Arts in Intelligence Studies

Russian is a great language but demand for linguist has been diminished since the end of the cold war. Languages such as Arabic, Farsi, Spanish, and Mandarin are highly sought after.

Personal intelligence can be judged in several different ways rather than just a high IQ. IQ is not a number you want to advertise to put yourself ahead of others rather do well on exams and the hiring process. It will become evident as time goes on that you have special assets that you can bring to your prospective agency.

Special Agents and covert operations for many intelligence agencies are recruited from the military. Chances of being recruited directly from college even with athletic abilities are diminished. A stint in the military as a member of a special program such as small boat teams, or the seals would go along way on an application, but any field in the military would increase your chances.

[Safety Steve]

Sounds like your on the right path Denny. Just remember, you can pick your friends but you can't pick your family!


Be Safe.

[Kimble]

Your question is very difficult to answer at your age, but one this is clear you have several years before you can consider yourself a competitive candidate for any of the agencies.

Intelligence Studies is a real degree path and has become increasing popular with professionals already working in the field or students in the military. Basically it’s the study of intelligence collection, and consumption; providing the product to specific consumers with the elements they need at a speed in which the information is still relevant to the mission.

AMU/APU is highly regarded for being one of the best Online Universities.
AMU Degree Program: Bachelor of Arts in Intelligence Studies

Russian is a great language but demand for linguist has been diminished since the end of the cold war. Languages such as Arabic, Farsi, Spanish, and Mandarin are highly sought after.

Personal intelligence can be judged in several different ways rather than just a high IQ. IQ is not a number you want to advertise to put yourself ahead of others rather do well on exams and the hiring process. It will become evident as time goes on that you have special assets that you can bring to your prospective agency.

Special Agents and covert operations for many intelligence agencies are recruited from the military. Chances of being recruited directly from college even with athletic abilities are diminished. A stint in the military as a member of a special program such as small boat teams, or the seals would go along way on an application, but any field in the military would increase your chances.

In an effort to ensure the information posted on this site is as accurate as possible, I'm going to be perfectly blunt and say that a good majority of the info above is exaggerated, and not all that accurate. Most in this world can't say to themselves, "I want to be an FBI agent, so I'll become a Navy SEAL operator!" and actually have all that's required to endure and pass SEAL's BUD/S training, it's a bit more complicated than just wanting it really bad. Most federal agents (FBI or otherwise) were not Navy SEALs, and while certain langauges or an intelligence background can be desireable for FBI, that's far from being the only way to market yourself as an agent applicant.

I'm a fed myself, and took the time a while back to write a thread for others interested in becoming a federal agent. This is the perspective and lessons learned from someone who not only wanted to become one or was interested, but somehow figured a way to actually become one, and there's further advice from others in the thread that will prove helpful: So You Want to be a Federal Agent?

Also, FBI makes knowing what they want from applicants pretty idiot proof, just look at their site FBIJobs.gov, but realize that if you want to become a federal agent, the FBI is not the only dog in the fight (and is not the best suited agency for everyone). Word to the wise, do your homework on what federal jobs are out there. Good luck, and stay out of trouble if you seriously want this.

[Rlong1985]

Kimble, my response was geared towards the US and partner nation’s intelligence communities rather than just the FBI. You are not recruited for clandestine operations for any of the agencies without basis in both tactical and academic experience. If you have an interest in Intelligence Studies as a minor you need to look at the community rather than just the one or two specific agencies. The United States Intelligence Community has some similarities to your own but it has demands and responsibilities that can exceed those of typical law enforcement.

[Trip]

Russian is a great language but demand for linguist has been diminished since the end of the cold war. Languages such as Arabic, Farsi, Spanish, and Mandarin are highly sought after.

Having worked at the level where intel is sythesized from all "contributors," I can see how both Rlong and Kimble are correct from each of their standpoints. Regarding the comment above about languages, from the overall intelligence community standpoint, I was going to make the same post. Farsi and Arabic have become much more important than Russian. Having said that, Kimble may have a different take from the FBI standpoint as there sure as hell are a lot of Russian criminals running around out there. What's your take on Russian, Kimble?

[Kimble]

Having worked at the level where intel is sythesized from all "contributors," I can see how both Rlong and Kimble are correct from each of their standpoints. Regarding the comment above about languages, from the overall intelligence community standpoint, I was going to make the same post. Farsi and Arabic have become much more important than Russian. Having said that, Kimble may have a different take from the FBI standpoint as there sure as hell are a lot of Russian criminals running around out there. What's your take on Russian, Kimble?

Without going into anything classified or that would violate OpSec, there is still an ongoing need for Russian language expertise in the intel community. That's really all I can say publically, but it's far from a situation of, "The Cold War is over, we don't need that skill set anymore."

[Rlong1985]

I did not say the skill set was not needed anymore I said it was diminished. If you take a look at the SRB's for CTI's it will give you an idea of what languages are needed and in high demand. Russian is still being taught at DLI but the majority of students are being taught other languages.

[Kimble]

I did not say the skill set was not needed anymore I said it was diminished. If you take a look at the SRB's for CTI's it will give you an idea of what languages are needed and in high demand. Russian is still being taught at DLI but the majority of students are being taught other languages.

I'm going to politely ask you not drift this thread off topic further. The original questions posed were about the FBI, not the intelligence community or other intel agencies having no involvement outside of LE. If a thread pops up asking about gaining info on intel agencies, offer up what you know, but so far, as I said originally, the info you've posted is not entirely accurate for the FBI. If you don't want to be corrected, make sure what you're posting is correct.

Regards.

[BigDenny]

Thanks for the advice, guys. I really appreciate it. One thing, though: which of the three languages is easiest to learn? Farsi, Arabic, or Russian? So far, I'm only starting to teach myself Russian and it's a mixture of enjoyable and pull-your-hair-out frustrating. I've looked at Arabic and it looks even more difficult. Farsi, though, I've never heard of.

[Trip]

All three of them are hard. Farsi is what Iranians speak. They are Persians and not Arabs. It's pretty hard to learn Arabic and Farsi well enough to sound like you were born there, which is why you would be in such high demand. If you are good at picking up languages, you could learn one and the others would come just a tad easier. Sounds like you're doing an impressive job with Russian by the way - you know why I know? Cause you haven't given up yet, lol. Good luck to you!

[Kimble]

Thanks for the advice, guys. I really appreciate it. One thing, though: which of the three languages is easiest to learn? Farsi, Arabic, or Russian? So far, I'm only starting to teach myself Russian and it's a mixture of enjoyable and pull-your-hair-out frustrating. I've looked at Arabic and it looks even more difficult. Farsi, though, I've never heard of.

Not sure about Russian (I took a single course on it in high school, and it was all I could do to make a C), but to really learn Arabic and Farsi, you'd need to look at an immersion program to develop fluency. The Department of Defense has a language test (DLAB) that tests one's ability to learn a new language, and both Arabic and Farsi are at the very top in difficulty to learn. Not impossible, but very difficult.

[Rlong1985]

Rosetta Stone Store

I do not work for Rosetta Stone but after a few weeks I was able to pick up about 10-15 words of Arabic after using the software. The company has a product that works and I would trust it if your interested. They offer Pashto also which is spoken in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Denny, your interest in intelligence as a degree will expose you to both foreign and domestic intelligence services. If your interested in exploring both as career options I can send you some links. I may have jumped the gun earlier in assuming you were interested by the degree path alone.

[BigDenny]

Sure, I'd really appreciate you sending me those links. I was considering using Rosetta Stone but at this point, there's no way I can afford it. I was thinking of using one of the cheaper knock-off programs sold on Amazon.

[Rlong1985]

Kimble has already made it a point to declare demostic investigation and foriegn intelligence agencies different as are the scope and responsibility of their operations. He is correct in this statement, but both take on large roles and are equallly important esuring the safety of the the United States. As this is a law enforcement forum the view point on which is better may be one sided, but both fields should be explored rather than disregarded.

The Intelligence Community can be divided into two basic forms of operation, Administrative and Clandestine.
What interests you?

Do you know what form of intelligence you would like to study?

https://www.cia.gov/careers/opportunities/index.html

Career Fields at the National Security Agency (NSA)

https://www1.nga.mil/NGAJOBS/INTERNS...s/default.aspx