Is the BOP a good stepping stone to USMS

[im next]

I just got an offer from the BOP as a C/O. I just graduated with my masters in criminal justice. I need some LE exp. My dream job is to work for the USMS. Will the BOP provide me with good enought exp to compete for this position? I was thinking the duties of a C/O are very close to a 082.

[ExUSPP]

Go work for a county sheriff"s department instead. You will have more fun and get better experience for the Marshals. The Marshals do alot of the same duties as a Sheriff's department but on a Federal Level.

[im next]

I have looked at that however, the pay for the bop is hard to turn down.

[Stub]

Will the BOP provide me with good enought exp to compete for this position?

In short, yes. We do have former BOPer's in our ranks. Going BOP is better than no LE experience. Although, our hiring practices suggest that the USMS prefers military experience and/or those with full-time police experience.

I was thinking the duties of a C/O are very close to a 082.

Duties of a GS-007 and a GS-082 share some similar responsibilities (transports, processing, and cell block). That experience will benefit you. However, GS-082's are also active in a range of other law enforcement responsibilities that traditional GS-007's are not (assisting with fugitive investigations and apprehensions; serving civil writs and criminal process; protecting federal courts, judges, jurors, witnesses, defendants; and preventing civil disturbances).

If you plan on making a career in government service, getting in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) sooner rather than later is always a good thing.

[phillyfed]

I can tell you that the BOP doesn't hurt in learning how to deal with prisoners/inmates. I can also say that there are a bunch of guys I know that are with the USMS that started in the BOP. It also gets you started in the federal LE retirement system. USMS 082/1811 position, although similar in some ways, is also very different in others. My advice is take the job but continue applying for LE gigs (local, state, and federal jobs) that will get you useful experience.

[rix031]

"My dream job is to work for the USMS"-what is the real question here? if you cant pass up the pay of the bop, then the marshals isnt your dream job. keep in mind, sometimes we have to take a step back to make a leap forward. the sheriffs department is a one of the best prerequisites for the marshals and the military is the other.

[im next]

do you all think the masters degree means much to the us marshals ?

[Switchback]

I have to disagree with Stub on this one. BOP is NOT a particularly good stepping stone. In 12 years, I have come across only 2 DUSMs that I know to have BOP experience... and one of them was only there 2 weeks.

If you are looking at working at Walmart as an option, I would suggest BOP. However, it would not qualify as LE experience when putting in for the job. My app said I had to have a 4 year degree, 2.5 years of LE or a combination of the 2. It SPECIFICALLY stated that corrections did not count as LE experience. LE experience meant you had to be out there arresting people.

You would be far better served as a local LEO. While it does not matter whether it is city, county or state, it would prove to be far better for your resume. And, as already stated, the easiest way to think of us is a federal sheriff.

Rix, you are half right. LE is one of the best prerequisites... the other is a degree, not LE. While the Service has done some specific recruiting from the military (Shining Star), most of those recruited would NOT be qualified under open job announcements... most had neither a degree nor POLICE experience.

A masters degree is fine. Experience with your bachelors will serve you far better.

[Joeyd6]

I have to disagree with Stub on this one. BOP is NOT a particularly good stepping stone. In 12 years, I have come across only 2 DUSMs that I know to have BOP experience... and one of them was only there 2 weeks.

If you are looking at working at Walmart as an option, I would suggest BOP. However, it would not qualify as LE experience when putting in for the job. My app said I had to have a 4 year degree, 2.5 years of LE or a combination of the 2. It SPECIFICALLY stated that corrections did not count as LE experience. LE experience meant you had to be out there arresting people.

You would be far better served as a local LEO. While it does not matter whether it is city, county or state, it would prove to be far better for your resume. And, as already stated, the easiest way to think of us is a federal sheriff.

Rix, you are half right. LE is one of the best prerequisites... the other is a degree, not LE. While the Service has done some specific recruiting from the military (Shining Star), most of those recruited would NOT be qualified under open job announcements... most had neither a degree nor POLICE experience.

A masters degree is fine. Experience with your bachelors will serve you far better.

Well said!

My fed agency does not consider BOP as LE experience either.

[SSA1811]

As a Dad with one child in college and three more in waiting, if I paid the additional thousands of dollars for a post-graduate/Masters degree and my child asked a question like yours, I would be pulling my hair out.

With no intention of insulting BOP or anyone else, I would like to exagerate to make a point. What you are asking is almost equivalent to asking:

"I graduated from medical school but would like to know if I should get a job as an EMT to get experience before practicing as a doctor".

I have been on many panels, and my first question would be, "Why would someone with a post-graduate degree be working at a job that only requires a high school education?". My next questions would focus on your confidence and ability to do the job.

Many, if not most of the Federal LEO's I know, had no prior Law Enforcement experience, AND less education!


.

[rix031]

"Rix, you are half right. LE is one of the best prerequisites... the other is a degree, not LE"-your right. i used a degree as an assumption. of course, one of the bare minimum qualifications is a degree (of course there are exceptions). coupling military and/or law enforcement with a degree is the best prerequistes. and, considering he had a master's degree, inserting education was a moot point.

[cybirous]

Be carfull what you wish for. But in all honesty.. the best way in would be for you to go to any federal LEO agency that you can get in. (in an 1811 series if possible). But be warned that if you stay on with any agency other than USMS more than a couple of years, you will probably be stepping back a couple of GS grades. ( the Marshals are only jurneyman 12 and it takes a while. ) The problem with the FED is it takes a long time to get in.

I would not recommend going into BOP as a stepping stone. I think other than being in federal service it will not help as much as a local/state law enforcement officer.

BEST OF LUCK.

[im next]

wow I can't believe what I am hearing. I have all ways heard that the BOP is a great way to get into fed service and get exp.
Well I guess you guys know because you are already where I want to be. If I dont go local or state LE, I might go into the military to get some exp. I think going into the BOP as a c/o with a masters degree would be somewhat degrading. At least the military route would help me pay off these loans.

[Joeyd6]

With no intention of insulting BOP or anyone else, I would like to exagerate to make a point. What you are asking is almost equivalent to asking:

"I graduated from medical school but would like to know if I should get a job as an EMT to get experience before practicing as a doctor".

Best damn comparison to anything I could of ever come up with! What a way to stress the point and thoughst many of us were/are thinking! Great job!

[im next]

Best damn comparison to anything I could of ever come up with! What a way to stress the point and thoughst many of us were/are thinking! Great job!

I mean one only needs a High School Diploma to be a police officer on the local and state level in most departments. It would be the same to come into these departments with a Masters in an entry level LE position as becoming a C/O with the BOP.