Federal SWAT-like teams.

[Mr.H]

I have always wanted to go into law enforcement, but up until a few months ago, I wanted to go into the military first. I know quite a bit about special military units, but next to nothing about LE or FLE units. I know the names of several such units (FBI HRT, USMS-SOG, FBI regional SWAT, USSS-CAT) but I really don't know any real details.

What are some other units? How much experience in these units' base agency do you generaly need? What kind of selection prosess do these units have? What are their various missions? ect

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Chris

[Switchback]

I was on the regional USMS SRT for more than 5 years. I have been on SOG for more than 3 years. What do you want to know?

[txinvestigator1]

. What do you want to know?

Do you play with your gun alot when you are alone? :eek: Does it sometimes go off if you play with it too much? Will it make you go blind? :D

[Group9]

What do you want to know?

I want to know why you look like Jynkxxie now? :D

[Wifeofadeputy]

Do you play with your gun alot when you are alone? :eek: Does it sometimes go off if you play with it too much? Will it make you go blind? :D

ROFLMAO =)

[Mr.H]

Just general info on experience required/preferred, selection, training, missions ect.
Also, weapons. I have seen a few documentaries on the USMS and on one they had a segment about SOG. Just about every video clip or picure that I have seen of SOG guys I noticed that a few on the team would have what looked to be integrally suppressed Colt-design SMG's. What is this gun and is it popular with the SOG?

[Switchback]

Tx, give me a little credit! I have good...ummm... trigger control.

Group, if I had to look like anyone, IT WOULD BE JYNKXXIE! Sorry, man, I don't think you would make my list... Hell, I AM NOT ON MY LIST! LOL

Mr. H,
I can't really go into the depth required to answer all yur questions, as I would be here forever.
-Essentially, you must be an 1811 (crim. inv.) to put in for SOG, be reccommended by your Chief, score at least 270/300 on all your firearms and score at least "good" on your fit test.
-Selection is a 3 week militaristic, basic training-like course. Every day there are required tasks that you must pass or you will be sent home. Getting the minimum is not an option, as you must compete with everyone else (while being a good team member). Your rating is how your selection is made, as well as how they choose your specialty. It has all the fun that one would experience in basic training (at least when I went through 14 years ago) to include sleep deprivation, inspections, as well as many other physical and mental "motivations". There is a >50% failure rate.
-Training depends on your specialty. Generally, there are 2 2-3 week team training sessions per year. Sniper and breachers each have a couple weeks of training. Other training is regularly scheduled and those designated will attend. I average 5-10 weeks a year of training. Some of it is local training that I set up and SOG sends me to.
-Missions really vary. This past year was pretty slow for large scale missions. We used to do a lot of counter assault missions (CAT), which are high threat escorts. We have also provided security to high threat trials (in a response capacity) as well as officer rescue for most of the WTO protests. Recently, we have been doing more enforcement-orented missons, such as high threat warrants... some urban and some involving long approaches through the woods. We also do a lot of Top Secret missions very regularly.
-Most guys are are issued (take home) MP5s or commando M16s, depending on their primary specialty. Drivers have the MP5 PDW, Snipers have 16 fully custom M16, etc. Everyone is assigned both an MP and an M16, so you may use one for a mission eventhough you regularly take the other home with you. All snipers also have a Remington 40X assigned (take home), and an HK G3 (in the vault). We also have and deploy a couple .50s and .300 winmags. Other weapons include a variety of a variety of less lethal weapons and military weapons. We have suppressed weapons and suppressors, but they are generally not used for one reason or another. There are still Colt subguns around, but they have all been retired.

The issued handgun is the Springfield TRP Operator. There are a few other Springfields that were issued. There are also a few Sig P229s that are in the field, waiting to be DXed for the Springfields when the remainder come in.

[Mr.H]

Thank you very much Switchback; that helped alot. I appreciate you taking the time to type all that out.

[cloakanddagger]

If you wish to get a inside look of the FBI HRT team then I suggest you read the book "Cold Zero" - Special Agent Christopher Whitcomb. He gives the reader an inside look into the HRT and accounts of the missions he has been on. I believe he took part in Ruby Ridge, Waco, Kosvo, etc.

[Mr.H]

If you wish to get a inside look of the FBI HRT team then I suggest you read the book "Cold Zero" - Special Agent Christopher Whitcomb. He gives the reader an inside look into the HRT and accounts of the missions he has been on. I believe he took part in Ruby Ridge, Waco, Kosvo, etc.

I will look for that. Thanks for telling me about it.

[massgrunt]

If you wish to get a inside look of the FBI HRT team then I suggest you read the book "Cold Zero" - Special Agent Christopher Whitcomb. He gives the reader an inside look into the HRT and accounts of the missions he has been on. I believe he took part in Ruby Ridge, Waco, Kosvo, etc.

I just read that again last week. Excellent book.

[Mr.H]

I just read that again last week. Excellent book.

This sounds like one I'll have to pick up. If this Cold Zero is the kind of book I think it is, then I think you guys would like 'Inside Delta Force' by Eric L. Haney. That book was the best read I have had in a long time.

[ngcsubutterbar]

I was on the regional USMS SRT for more than 5 years. I have been on SOG for more than 3 years. What do you want to know?

yeah, can I come straight to you for a job :D :p

[john2190]

If you wish to get a inside look of the FBI HRT team then I suggest you read the book "Cold Zero" - Special Agent Christopher Whitcomb. He gives the reader an inside look into the HRT and accounts of the missions he has been on. I believe he took part in Ruby Ridge, Waco, Kosvo, etc.

On tape, it's even better.