how are duty stations decided?

[bob95321]

in the border patrol, after you've passed all the tests/interviews (but before they send you to the academy), they call and offer you a duty station. you can accept it and leave for the academy, or you can reject it and hope they offer you somewhere else. also, once you are at your duty station, there is no forced relocation that i am aware of.

since it has been discussed how bad the duty locations in the bp are, how are duty stations decided for people entering the other agencies (DEA, FBI, etc.) ?

[Toeknee112]

A fellow Reserve was hired by the FBI last year. He had to give them his top 10 choices during the academy. He ended up in Los Angeles (not even ON his list). I think he has to stay there for 2 years before he can transfer out.

[Switchback]

The USMS may try to keep you near the area you requested (a wish list). I went to NYC, nowhere near any of my requests. The ATF is similar to the USMS in the way they do it. Sometimes it works out good for the applicant, sometimes it does not. The good thing is that the USMS and ATF tell you where you are being hired to when the offer is made. Some fed agencies do not, such as the DEA and FBI. With them, you find out towards the end of the academy.

The bottom line for the feds in determining where you go is the NEEDS OF THE AGENCY.