What was your Path?

[travis86b]

How did you get into Federal Law Enforcement?

Where did you work before you got a job with a Federal LE job?

If you could have gone a different route in getting a job with a Federal LE agency what would you have done?

What is your degree in?

Do you have a Graduate Degree?

How many years do you have in?

I have a couple of decisions to make this spring. I am trying decide if I should stay in College and get a Graduate Degree. If I do or Don't where I should start working first. I am going to have a B.S. in Psychology and a Minor in Criminal Justice. I am debating whether or not I should get a M.A. Also, where should I start working if I want to get into Federal LE.

Thanks in Advanced!

[Kimble]

while I am not a FLEO, I am trying to become one, so perhaps my experience will help you as well. I too have a BS in Psychology, and now an MS in Criminal Justice. Did the master's degree help me get the 1811 position I've dreamed of? Not sure, I have been invited to three panel interviews, two with the agency I'm most interested in. Also, while a grad student, I completed two internships, one county and one federal. Most of the big name agencies (FBI, USSS, ATF and DEA) told me that I needed more work experience, and that a master's degree and internships alone wouldn't cut it. So I now work in the private sector in a management position, and am in the final steps of becoming a reserve deputy sheriff with the agency I formerly interned with. So, long story short, my suggestion to you is to get relevant work experience, because without it, what are you going to say during the panel interview? Look to federal officer positions (as opposed to 1811 or Special Agent positions), including USSS Uniform Division, FPS, CBP, etc., and possibly pursue a master's on a part-time basis. To qualify at a GS-7, all you need is one year of graduate work. Another avenue to investigate is the US Coast Guard, as they are now incorporated within DHS, and LE/security is an important part of their mission. Best of luck to you.

[Switchback]

I really don't think that a graduate degree will do anything for you. The owrk experience does so much more.

How did I get into fed LE, huh? Hmmm... I think they like the way I looked in Royal Robbins. LOL Who knows, really. I think it was dumb luck more than anything else.

I worked in a University research lab prior to getting on with the USMS, as an 1811. I have a degree in molecular biology (an honors research BS... I had to write a thesis). I had no LE experience, but have a couple MOSes in the Armyy National Guard and then ROTC under my belt. I was hired when I was 24 and I've got 8 years on the job.

[travis86b]

Funny thing is I was in ROTC. I was even in a Ranger Company (ROTC on Steroids). I did the two years and then I did not want to contract. I came real close to contracting. I was thinking of going MP. I eventually found out that I would not get to do any police type work. They are cross training MP's with Infantry now. What I understand is they want MP's to do more urban fighting.

Do you think working for a big city Police Departmen would be good solid experiance? Work my way up to detective before applying. I can't figure out how I want to start out...

Thanks!

[Switchback]

FYI, Ranger Company ROTC is still just ROTC.
:D


LE experience is LE experience. The only thing I really see a large department offering is the potential for more diversity, meaning a possible quality of life issue of you are there for a longer period of time. Then again, the smaller department will probably have abetter quality of life for a new guy. :D

[travis86b]

What FLE jobs do not require previous experiance?

As far as I have found the Coast Gaurd is close to the only one. What LE experiance do you think will give me the edge to compete better in the long run. I have a couple of friends at Houston Police Dep. So I am kind of leaning toward that.

Yes Ranger Company is ROTC. It just showed us how to use small unit tactics. We had a Captain and a Sgt. Major teach us everything from weapon safety to the Ranger Creed from the original Roger's Rangers. Most of us where in the 290 or 300 club with our PT scores. Now that I am out of my Military Science Classes I might be able to graduate early. I did not mean for any of this to be disrespectful Switchback. Like the Internet site...

[Switchback]

LOL No disrespect taken. I was only saying that it's still ROTC. I was in one of the larger Battallions in the country, also having a Ranger Company. It means little in the long run. We still had weak links. It's all what you make of it.

When you apply in the fed system. keep progressing with your life as if the app is not in the works. I had no LE experience and went right into an 1811 slot. Many fed jobs allow you to get hired without LE experience. A few 1811 jobs out there do not require a degree (such as us and the ATF). However, as competitive as it is, it is really hard to be in the "most competitve" categor without the experience and degree. It's possible, though... as I am walking proof.

[Group9]

I graduated from law school, interned with a district attorney, and was hired upon graduation. I worked there a couple of years, applied to my first federal agency and was hired. I left there to take a supervisory position with a state attorney general's office. I missed being an agent and put in an application with my current federal agency and have been here since 1991.

[Switchback]

Law degree, Group? Damn, your stock just went down.
LOL

BTW, who was your first fed agency?

[travis86b]

What school did you go to? I am at Sam Houston State Univ. in Texas. There are only two ROTC programs in Texas that have Ranger groups. I am not sure if our battalion is big... We have a lot of cadre on staff.

What is the actual description of an 1811? Does it very from agency to agency? How quasi Millitary is the USMS's basic training? I here alot of State Agencies are real quasi Millitary in their academys and or training...

[Switchback]

You can look atOPM's USA Jobs site for al ittle more information on the 1811 series. The 1811 series applies to all federal criminal investigators. They are essentially the same thing. However, the exact duties of each will vary from agency to agency, as the agency's investigative "specialties" vary. An OIG for the Social Security Administration will do a very different job than me, as an 1811 on a USMS Fugitive Task Force.

Criminal Investigator school is more like college than military basic training. I revisited my military basic training days when I went through our SOG selection, but you have to be a glutton for punishment to put in for SOG. LOL

[travis86b]

So I am quessing you pump out 300 or better on your physicals for National Gaurd... I had problems maxing out on my running. I think Mountian Biking might be the culprit. I was told the bio-mechanics are a lot different. How often do you run and How far? When do you find time to workout? I run in between classes. I also swim at night at a 24 hour fitness place.

Thanks for the info, it is helping out big time!

[Switchback]

I ran track in college. Running wasn't an issue. Heck, I got worse at running in basic and AIT!

I run pretty regularly now, mountain bike a lot, and have a pretty regular lifting routine. In this line of work, you have to make time. Also, being a USMS fit instructor doesn't hurt.

[travis86b]

"USMS Fit Instructor!" for your department or for your training center? I bet that does help out alot. When are the agencies physicals going to drop to 1.5 mile run or have some already. I don't even know what I run in the 1.5 mile. I don't even know what is good. The campus food here at SHSU is what is hurting me. Hamburgers and Fries and pizza with every meal and I am on a full meal plan. They never serve healthy food.

[Switchback]

Most agencies I know already do the 1.5 mile run.

Also I got out of the Guard when I got hired by the USMS. Between the cross country move and the hours, I really didn't want to bother with the guard.