DUSM worth it?

[Last Ride]

Hey all--
I know people probably get tired of answering questions from us newbies, but I am looking for any insight you can provide. I have been in the hiring process of DUSM 082 position for over four and a half years (since the test in 2001 right after I graduated). I got a call yesterday wanting me to show up for a drug screening today. I asked if this meant anything as I have been jumping through these hoops for over four years to which she replied, "They are putting a class together for February and it's coming down to the wire." Is this just one more hoop in the USMS circus?

Here's my predicament: About six months ago, I got hired on by the local police department. There are over 270 sworn officers, so it is a decent size. Town is about 130,000. I am still on my FTO, and so far, I am loving it. My wife and I are expecting our firstborn any day now (due date is Feb. 14, but everyone thinks she will go early).

My dreams have always lay in the federal realm. I did my internship with the USMS just before I graduated. If I back out of my local PD now, I have to reimburse them for academy costs. From what I can gather, the 082 position will not be as much fun as being a patrolman. And although I qualify for GS7, the pay will most likely not be as good at least initially. I am concerned as I already took a $10,000 a year pay cut to join the PD. I don't regret it, but with a new child on the way, money will be geting tight.

My question is, what would you do (or better yet, have you done) in a similar situation? I like my job now, and I know I would like working for the Marshals. Ultimately, I would like to get an 1811 spot because my true passion lies in investigations. Would an 082 position facilitate this more than prior law enforcement experience? SOrry for the long winded first post, and thanks for reading!

Bryan

[guess]

Bryan bro, I really feel for you. You're stuck between a rock and a hard place. In my opinion decide with your wife what the best move would be for your family. Although the position might be what you really want you committed to a department. Believe me, if you were worth contacting once they contact you again. Been there done that. If I were you I would put it in the back of my mind complete your obligation to your department usually a two year period and then if you still feel strongly about it go for it. At least you won't owe any money. Also you might want to check with someone you feel you can really trust on your department (you don't need people talking about the possibility of you leaving before you even know. News travels fast among cops lol) to find out if the agency would go after you if you leave for another department. When I was a police officer in GA they would only go after us if we signed on to another agency within the state however if we were to move the contract was broken. If this is the case ... well, you get the picture.

Also you might want to contact the agency since criminal investigations is your goal. They can't be mad at you. You can't put your life on hold for several years while waiting to hear back from a department that is not a sure thing. I'm not sure of the agencies hiring process however I was just hired onto a federal agency and the drug screening was one of the first processes I went though. God bless I prey that the baby is healthy and happy. Please be safe out there.

[ExUSPP]

How old are you?

[Newbie31]

I would stick ot out with the local pd and see how things go. Like you said, it may be more fun. Another thing to consider; with a baby on the way is health insurance. If you switch now would the new job cover the babys medical, or would you have to get a COBRA policy?

[Last Ride]

I am 26, but I will be 27 next weekend. The drug screening was one of the first in a laundry list of processes I went through; this one was just updating the original. I have had a "Conditional Offer of Employment" since August of 2003. My thing is, if I pass up on the Marshals now, I may be too old to go again if it's going to take me another 5 years from the time of application. My real mistake was wasting four years doing private investigation rather than pushing harder to get on with a PD right out of college.

As for insurance, my wife and new child will be on her insurance for now. After she is born, we were going to switch to my insurance. In any event, thanks for the replies!

Bryan

[Nole795]

You also need to weigh the fact that you may have to move for DUSM. You need to see where they plan on sending you. That would be a big decision in itself.

In my opinion, if I leave to another agency, it's because it is a better job and/or more money. From what you posted, you feel it may not be as exciting and you are going to lose money...and your goal isnt even to stay as an 082. That alone would prevent me from leaving.

Your dream is to one day be an 1811. You have as a good as a chance of being an SA from a local cop experience as a 082 one. If your total ambition is to be an 1811 DUSM, then from what I have seen, your would have to start out as an 082. But if you want to be an 1811 with ATF, Postal Inspector, Secret Service, etc...then the experience of a local LEO will be just as competitive.

Since your only 26 you still have plenty of time to get the local experience and apply later.

I'm an 1811 now, and I started out as local and state cop. No regrets and I wouldn't trade the experience of being a street officer for anything.

[Switchback]

First of all, Guess has no idea what he is talking about (sorry). They will not come back for you if you say no. Getting an offer does not make you more likely to get future offers once you turn them down.

With the feds, you CANNOT put your life on hold. You should go on with your life as if the fed application is not even there. It sounds like that is exactly what you have done. However, when the offer comes, you need to make a decision. Stay in the game until they make an offer. They will offer you to a specific location. The location may make the decision very easy (depending on if you want to move or not).

I also disagree with the comment about the 082 position giving you no extra leverage towards an 1811 position. It is a HUGE advantage. Ask around. Check with locals and they can tellyou how hard it is to get the coveted 1811 position. Of course, the 082 position is not as desireable. However, if you do your time there, when an 1811 class opens up you will be competing with ~250 082s for 48 positions in the 1811 class. I PROMISE you that you won't have a 1 in 5 chance of getting an 1811 position, competing openly for slots in ANY other agency!

I hate the way 1811 are hired in the USMS (do a search on here for an explanation). That being said, if you want an 1811 slot with the least amount of competition, go the 082 route... make it work for you!

There are pros and cons to this route, of course. The USMS is one of the few feds that tell you the specific location that you are being hired to when you are offered a position. Most tell you towards the end of the academy. The big disadvantage is that you very well may get an offer to an 1811 slot in an office other than where you are an 082.

Feel free to hit me up with any more USMS specific questions.

[Dalice]

Switch knows more about the USMS side of the house. I was in the same boat as Nole; local then 1811. He's right, the experience was great and I sometimes miss the patrol side of police work, but I love my job.

Nole also made a good point. Are you looking for any 1811 position or specifically with the USMS? Police work does look good for 1811 positions but it's not a guarantee. So I would think of my family first and do what's best. 1811 spots are coveted but you may have to give up a lot to get one. Sometimes it's just not worth it.

I'm not married or anything so when they called me and told me that they would only give me a position in Texas and I was living in Atlanta, I told them sure. If I would have had a wife and kid, I would surely want to talk to them about it. Especially for who I work for (ICE) because a lot of the new hires are being sent to the border. Long hours, and not easy work, I feel for those guys and their family but someone has to do it. It's our main responsibility.

Good luck in whatever you decide and be safe

[Last Ride]

Thanks so much again for the responses. I have been thinking about it a lot since Thursday morning. The 1811 position I would like most is with the USMS. I have also thought about the FBI, but overall my interest has primarily been with the Marshals. I know the retirement would better at the federal level. The benefits at my current job although good, do not really compare to what Uncle Sam is dishing out.

I guess what makes it hard is that I really do like my job. I like my location and it seems to work for us. Could it work somewhere else? I am sure it could, but I think we would ultimately want to end up back here. If I were still at my old job, this would be a no-brainer. It's definitely a lot harder walking away from a job in which you see a future! I guess until they call with an actual offer, the point is moot anyway. Thanks again.

Bryan

[Switchback]

Keep in mind that you can move around pretty good within the USMS... moreso than you can in several agencies. I started off in MYC and made it back home right when I was eligible. Some are not so lucky in terms of time, but you can usually get where you want to be with some patience.

[DonutEater]

Pardon me for my ignorance, but what is the difference between an 1811 and an 082?

My two: Stay with your current department and finish your probationary period. Isn't the cutoff for the FEDS 35? You have a few years left to re-apply.

[Switchback]

An 082 series Deputy US Marshal is non-investigative. Their primary duties revolve around prisoner-related duties. While they can assist with warrants, they are not permitted to carry a case load. There are other duties that they are excluded from as well.

An 1811 series Deputy US Marshal is a Criminal Investigator, having the same series as other federal special agents. They can do any duty in the Service. Depending on the worload in an office, they may share similar assignments as an 082. In other districts, they may do nothing but investigations.

DonutEater,
The cutoff is 37. However, a second chance is not always an option in the fed system. It tends to be a bit drawn out. That is without considering the competitiveness. While you may make the list one time, who knows about the next.

[intheaircop2]

I would stay with the local dept. untill your child is here. I was offered another postion myself for a local police department but I turned it down because my wife is also due in mid Febuary. I was looking to depart the Feds and go back to a local department but the new baby thing has gotten in the way of any move for a year or so. It all came down to money for me.
But I guess it all comes down to you. I allways wanted to be an 1811 myself but the FAM service has put a bad taste in my mouth about the feds and I am not sure what I want to do, but if I were you: well I would stay put because of the new child and no other reason. Family is allways first in my book.

[guess]

...first of all that was rude, no need for "sorry", secondly if your approach is professional an agency will accept you back after making an offer providing you did nothing to damage your standings. This has happen to me in both the civilian and government sector. I don't post anything I don't have some sort of first hand knowledge with here or anywhere else for that matter.

PS: The only reason I responded to you here rather then PM is because you decided you would personally attack me. God bless. Please be safe out there.

[Bearcat06]

...first of all that was rude, no need for "sorry", secondly if your approach is professional an agency will accept you back after making an offer providing you did nothing to damage your standings. This has happen to me in both the civilian and government sector. I don't post anything I don't have some sort of first hand knowledge with here or anywhere else for that matter.

PS: The only reason I responded to you here rather then PM is because you decided you would personally attack me. God bless. Please be safe out there.

How is that rude?? That's a fact of life.....If you turn down an agency......they ARE NOT going to come back and ask you later on.....it's as simple as that. Why bother? For everyone that turns down a position there are 500 that want it.....

Switchback is a verified LEO who happens to work for the USMS. WHO ARE YOU???

If you are a LEO.....find someone (like myself or DC Law) to verify you for this place....and you can act like an *** on the verified side.......