What is secretive about the USSS?

[Mr.H]

I have always wondered this. I mean MI6, Mossad, and others have a mysterious nature, but the USSS is pretty straight-foward with its mission. I know this is a dumb and useless question, but does anybody know???

[Mr.H]

Secret Service is nothing like those others that you mention. Apples and Oranges.

That's my point - those other agencies are rather secretive, the USSS, to my knowledge, is not. I am not suggesting that the USSS change its name or anything, I am just curious about the story behind it, that's all.

[txinvestigator1]

http://www.ustreas.gov/usss/history_beginnings.shtml

...

[Mr.H]

http://www.ustreas.gov/usss/history_beginnings.shtml

...

Ahh, that would do it. Thanks txinvestigator1!

[txinvestigator1]

Ahh, that would do it. Thanks txinvestigator1!

You are welcome. Less than 1 minute on Google. ;)

[Mr.H]

*face turns red, looks around nervously* What's google?

Google is okay, but if you want quality answers, you come to RP! :D

[Kimble]

USSS started out as a bureau of the Dept. of the Treasury in 1865. They were signed for approval by POTUS Lincoln the day before the evening he was shot (though it would take the assassinations of two more POTUS's before protection became a part of their mission). In the beginning, the USSS investigated and intercepted counterfeiting operations. At the time, between 1/3 to 1/2 of all U.S. currency in circulation was believed to be counterfeit. Because of the danger work involved, it was necessary that the agency's operatives (which they were called before taking on the title "Special Agent") had to keep their identities secret (they had to use a LOT of UC work during this time). Therefore, the name Secret Service was adopted to refer to this special bureau of the Dept of Treas. As the years passed, the mission of the agency changed drastically, but many of the traditions began during it inception remain to this day, including the name "Secret Service."

NOTE: while many FLE agencies may have limited collaboration with intelligence agencies (CIA and others), USSS is strictly a LE agency. They do have intelligence branches to help their mission, but they are not an "intelligence agency."

[EXCOP2000]

Looks like they are hiring right now. They will even let you get Lasik surgery for you eyes if you need it. I had a friend that left my old dept. to go to SS and he came back. He said he was "living out of a suitcase" and got sick of it?

[Kimble]

Looks like they are hiring right now. They will even let you get Lasik surgery for you eyes if you need it. I had a friend that left my old dept. to go to SS and he came back. He said he was "living out of a suitcase" and got sick of it?

Just a friendly tip, don't call it "SS" to people that work with the agency. SS was the name of the secret police under the Nazi regime in WWII Germany. The appropriate acronym is USSS.

[chewy]

Just a friendly tip, don't call it "SS" to people that work with the agency. SS was the name of the secret police under the Nazi regime in WWII Germany. The appropriate acronym is USSS.

SS, now THAT was a good secrative organization. Ah, the good ol days. too bad about all the killing and gassing stuff, you know other than the strongarming and killing they really were a good group of guys. :eek: :p

J/K

[Joeyd6]

I interned with them in college. I dreamed of that job. After 240 hours of doing my internship, talking with agents, going to seminars they held, seeing how the agents worked and lived, and working at a protetction detail at a rally during a election year, I changed my mind.

Tough job. Suitcase living seems to be the norm after the 5 year or so. I watched a guy get notified of a detail 7 days before his daughters wedding...which would put him out for 3 days....all of which were the wedding rehersal and actual wedding. Calls were made. He was going right up until the day of when strings of strings were pulled by the SAIC. It was very obvious how stressful it was.

We work with those guys/gals and DSS a lot here in NYC. They are always 100% professional. They do their job and do it well. It is tough. You have to respect that.

Mr. H-
A&E or History Channel did a multiple hour series on it...search their stores onlline...you can buy it.
And there is a new book out....agent wrote stuff that is casuing hell..."Standing Next To History." Try there for more info!

[Kimble]

I interned with them in college. I dreamed of that job. After 240 hours of doing my internship, talking with agents, going to seminars they held, seeing how the agents worked and lived, and working at a protetction detail at a rally during a election year, I changed my mind.

This sounds very similar to my own experience. Top-notch agency, but after working there I realized it's probably not my cup of tea.

Mr. H-
A&E or History Channel did a multiple hour series on it...search their stores onlline...you can buy it.

Actually it came on the National Geographic channel and was called "Inside the U.S. Secret Service." It was very interesting, but it does glamorize the job a bit, and shows hardly anything at the field office level. Overall it was very interesting if you're wanting to learn more about USSS.

[EXCOP2000]

ROS,
I am very familiar with the history of the Third Reich and Nazi Germany. I actually took a full semester course called "Hitler and Nazi Germany." The Gestapo were actually the "secret police" There were several different types of SS units under Himmler, but my point is that I know about them. Just tried to use a little shorthand instead of typing out Secret Service.

[Kimble]

ROS,
I am very familiar with the history of the Third Reich and Nazi Germany. I actually took a full semester course called "Hitler and Nazi Germany." The Gestapo were actually the "secret police" There were several different types of SS units under Himmler, but my point is that I know about them. Just tried to use a little shorthand instead of typing out Secret Service.

Congrats, I'm sure you're proud.

[121Traffic]

Wow, a whole semester? All those guys that call themselves "experts" are just blowing smoke! All they needed was a semester, not years...what a waste! :rolleyes:

Cliff Notes: Take the tip without trying to prove your booksmarts...you come off as pompous.