Special Agent Applications...Must-then-or?

[V Hanna]

Hello Everyone
1st time poster, long time reader.
1st off id like to say I think this site is very top notch. I was on another site some time ago and they made reference to this site. So I started to puruse the threads. I especially got hooked on DCLAW's posting's regarding human smuggling and drug interdiction, since I have the ability in my current position to attempt to stop both.
Any who…down to the meat and potatoes of the posting….
One every single Fed agency S/A posting I read this……
“ applicants must possess a 4-year degree from an accredited college or university; or 3-years of work experience in the criminal investigative or law enforcement fields that require knowledge and application of laws relating to criminal violations; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.”
Now they say you MUST have a 4-year degree however, they then state OR 3 years of work experience.
Currently I have an associates degree in Criminal Justice that is combined with 4 years of full time LEO experience and 4 years of part time LEO experience, coupled with 7 years of security work.

Would I be wasting my time applying for a S/A position with my experience/education?

[AndrewTx]

Hanna,

While many people with plenty of insightful experience in this area will be answering your question here shortly, I'm just curious; have you considered finishing up with a bachelor's degree? Seems like you have some great experience to apply towards a S/A application and I wonder if the extra boost of a bachelor's would push you up another level yet.

[Switchback]

While you may meet the minimum requirements to get hired with a combination of experience and education, it will be very difficult. I know of a several guys who do not have 4 year degrees, but they are the exception, not the rule. They tend to have "exceptional" experience to compensate for not having a degree. Getting an 1811 slot is extremely competitive. You would be far better served making yoruself as competitive as possible, standing out from the crowd. They have a ton of applications for each slot and hire only the most competitive.

[Group9]

Right now, the only agency I know that ever offers an 1811 slot to a person with an associates degree is ATF.

This is under a limited program they have. You have to have a lot of law enforcement experience, and from what I have seen, the slots are probably more, not less, competitive than the regular 1811 slots.

They only offer a few of these slots a year, and the one person I know who just got hired under this program, and the one who looks like he is about to get hired under it, are two of the most squared away officers I know.

Both have
1) prior military
2) prior law enforcement
3) prior duty as a federal task force officer
4) extremely good reputation as an officer

Get the four year degree if you really want an 1811 job.

[Nole795]

Just like everyone else said...get your 4 year degree.

[ExUSPP]

It wouldn't hurt to apply but I think you should finish your degree. When I was at FLETC I found it amazing how many special agent recruits that were fresh out of school and 22 or 23 years old. I think someone that has several years (7-10+ years) might make a better agent than someone who has done nothing in life but go to school. But hey that's me and I don't run a Federal Law Enforcement Agency so what do I know?

[Kimble]

Just to give you some perspective, most all applying for 1811 (i.e. Special Agent) positions have a bachelors degree in combination with work experience. There's also a number of us who have master's degrees on top of our bachelor's degree. This is what you'll be up against, so having the associates with your work experience will likely have you overlooked by other applicants deemed more qualified. As has been already stated, get your bachelor's degree if you can.

On a side note, I word for an online school of a college and will be happy to answer any questions you have about bachelor degree programs (not necessarily those with our college). If interested, send me a PM.

[coyote135]

I'm an 1811 and in our office everybody has a bachelor's degree at MINIMUM. Some have masters degress and we even have a few with JD's. When I went through CITP (Criminal Investigator Basic Training Program / Special Agent basic training), everybody had a bachelor's degree at minimum. Most of the people without other LE experience had masters degrees.

[Kimble]

I'm an 1811 and in our office everybody has a bachelor's degree at MINIMUM. Some have masters degress and we even have a few with JD's. When I went through CITP (Criminal Investigator Basic Training Program / Special Agent basic training), everybody had a bachelor's degree at minimum. Most of the people without other LE experience had masters degrees.

coyote,

Which agency do you work for? If you are an 1811, I would recommend you send a PM to DC Law or Switchback (both FLEOs) to get verfied.

[ASUsundevil5]

Many Fed. agencies are providing CO_OP programs for those Junior/Seniors making it a direct shot to the 1811 slot out of college upon graduation..so that could possibly explain those 22 to 23 yr olds recruits at FLETC..

ExUSPP,

Just curious did you find the young fresh college kids lacking in areas at FLETC? Obviously they didn't have as much or any LE experience, but were they deficient in other areas? I don't want to hijack this thread, so could you PM please so we would talk some more...thanks

[tunlrat]

Hey ASUsundevil5, I just pm'd you. Let me know if you got it. I'm having pm issues--& no not premenstrual. :D

[ICEGrrl]

While most people in 1811 slots have at least a bachelor's degree, I suggest you apply anyway. The worst they can do is say no. Almost all in my SA class @ FLETC had degrees, but I can think of 2 or 3 that didn't. They were prior Border Patrol & had a lot of years in w/ them so I attribute that to "prior law enforcement experience".

Pursue your degree and at the same time, apply for the 1811 slot. You just never know!

[Kimble]

Just as a possible Plan B, have you thought of other 6c-covered positions that are uniformed. Some of these may be less competative than 1811 positions, and will stop the age-clock if you are nearing 37 yoa. These include: U.S. Capitol Police, USSS Uniform Division, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Park Police, and others.

Just my 2 pennies.

[ASUsundevil5]

Hey ASUsundevil5, I just pm'd you. Let me know if you got it. I'm having pm issues--& no not premenstrual. :D

No I didn't get your PM, try again or I will right now :D just in case

[tunlrat]

ASUSundevil5,
Dude, I can't send pm messages for some reason. I can receive them though. PM me your email address. I got some FLETC "pointers" for you...