College freshman, want to be SA

[jrg6381]

Hey all! My name is James and I'm currently a freshman at RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) studying Information Security and Forensics.

I have been doing some reading on 1118/Marshal job types lately and it really seems like what I want to end up doing. Does anyone have any advice considering I'm still in early college? Anything that could potentially give me a leg up when I'm actually applying in 3 years? Anything at all would be very much appreciated.

A quick side note, I cannot do any type of military service or ROTC due to mild arthritis in my hands, so that's out of the question.

Thank you!

[Grift]

Stay out of trouble, avoid drugs like the plague, and choose your friends carefully.

Stay, or get, fit.

Whatever your major or area of study is, excel in it.

As I begin applying, there are several things I wish I had done that I think would have helped:

Internships, specifically co-ops. Look very carefully into these. I had no idea they existed.

Pick up a language. You might not become fluent, but you could make some progress.

Community involvement. Volunteer.

Get some certifications: pilot's license, SCUBA, EMT, whatever.

Maybe some folks who have successfully navigated the hiring process could chime in, but there are about a million and a half threads on here about how to become a fed or a cop. Follow all of the advice in them.

[Kimble]

I have been doing some reading on 1118/Marshal job

Not sure what job series that one is. :p

Grift already gave solid advice, however I will say that learning a new language is easier said than done. If you have the opportunity to do emersion training, go for it (but many don't get that sort of opportunity). Having IT credentials will help make you marketable to just about any agency, which isn't a bad idea.

Stay out of trouble, do well in school, and give it your best shot!

[Shamrock0211]

I would avoid transferring to San Diego State University and entering into any frat. Although I hear there are about 96 openings so rush this year should be easy.

By the way, I am an SDSU alum...

Consider going into the military or getting on as a local/State officer after graduation. Also I would think heavily about the Border Patrol.

[England]

Maybe start working now. There are plenty of federal jobs that require minimum age of 19 and are in the evenings. I worked for the state in college as a security guard. Gained a bit of experience and got to study all evening.

If you decide the military route, do it full time. You don't even get veteran's preference for reserve duty unless you get deployed. Besides, if you enlist after you get out of college, you could be recruited straight to CID.

[MP_Steve]

I would avoid transferring to San Diego State University and entering into any frat. Although I hear there are about 96 openings so rush this year should be easy. HAHA! And if you're going to major in criminal justice or homeland security, make sure you're not going to be utilizing those degrees from behind bars! :p

By the way, I am an SDSU alum...

Consider going into the military or getting on as a local/State officer after graduation. Also I would think heavily about the Border Patrol.

He's already stated that he has a medical condition that would prevent him from entering military service. ;)

:cool:

[JeffW]

If you want to get into the US Marshals, the best way if as an intern. Check to see if your college is eligible.

[jrg6381]

Thanks for the advice, guys. Got plenty of IT credentials. I love computers! I hadn't even thought about a federal job...

Once again, as Steve pointed out, I can not join the military or ROTC.

Couple of questions: first, is there a substantial difference between the responsibilities of a US Marshal and a Special Agent? Second, is it easy/common for 1811s to switch agencies? ICE to ATF, FBI to DEA, whatever?

[Grift]

Couple of questions: first, is there a substantial difference between the responsibilities of a US Marshal and a Special Agent? Second, is it easy/common for 1811s to switch agencies? ICE to ATF, FBI to DEA, whatever?

Switchback may be along at some point to provide some good info about the Marshals, but the short answer is yes. As far as I am aware, the only entry level the Marshals have at the moment is not 1811. Entry level is primarily court work, guarding courts, prisoner transport etc. You could always get on a fugitive task force, but that takes some time on. The Marshals do have 1811's, which is what Switch is, but again it's not entry-level.

An 1811 is the job designation for a criminal investigator, and they do exactly what is sounds like; they investigate criminal violations of federal law. Each agency has a different scope, some broad, some much narrower. Their job is to enforce federal law by investigating violations/violators, building cases, and arresting offenders. They are usually referred to as special agents and work plain-clothes.

Switching agencies as an 1811 is common from what I understand, but it's not a lateral situation. Every switch is accompanied by a new application process, a new academy, new training, new everything.

[jrg6381]

Thanks. Is it realistic to think that I can become 1811 without a graduate education? I only plan on a BS. I also wanted to know if time spent in the Peace Corp can hold someone back in the application process...? I'm not going for sure, but it's certainly something I want to try.

[Kimble]

Is it realistic to think that I can become 1811 without a graduate education?

A master's degree is viewed as favorable with some agencies more than others, but it's by no means a requirement, nor is it prevalent. Many agents have a masters, most do not. Outside a handful of agencies (FBI to name one) most don't even require a bachelor's degree.

I only plan on a BS. I also wanted to know if time spent in the Peace Corp can hold someone back in the application process...? I'm not going for sure, but it's certainly something I want to try.

Peace Corps volunteers go worldwide. Yes, this could certainly add issues and time to a background investigation. They will have to review where you went, who you worked with, who knew you during this time, what you did, etc. Go for it if you're interested, but it can add time to your process, though it may be looked on favorably for agencies with a worldwide mission, like Diplomatic Security.

[Switchback]

You have been given some great advice.

Grift is right on in regards to the USMS. As things are now, you are hired as an 082 (non-investigative Deputy US Marshal). You receive all the training (CI school and Basic DUSM school) upon being hired. After some period of time (I think 3 years), you become an 1811.

In the recent past, there was no automatic progression from 082 to 1811. Back when I was hired, there were no 082s. We were all hired as 1811s. Then, prior to me coming on, it was just like it is now. So, what should you get from that? Who knows what it will be like in a few years. Why, for the life of me, would something that did not work 15 years ago will work now? :confused:

So, before too long, there will be a lot of 1811s sitting in court. It all depends on your district management, your workload, and the number of personnel in your district. As an 082 and newer 1811, plan on doing your share of prisoner-related duties in the USMS.

The kicker is, if you hang around and work hard, you may get on a fugitive task force. Most other agents even admit that that is the gig to have... lots of the good parts of the job (action) without much of the bad (paperwork). I've been on a USMS run, multi-agency task force for the better part of 5 years and I would want to do nothing else.

[Grift]

After some period of time (I think 3 years), you become an 1811.

When did THAT happen? Seems like a non-competitive progression from 082 to 1811 can't be a good thing. First of all, won't you get top-heavy with 1811's? As you said, that seems like it would mean 1811's had to do standard court stuff. Second, will a good 082 necessarily make a good 1811? Or more importantly, will an adequate 082 make an adequate 1811?

[Grift]

http://fbijobs.gov/

[Kimble]

After I found out the Marshals don't hire directly to 1811, I sort of stopped tracking them. Not that I mind paying my dues, I'm just paying them in the civilian world. Only 6 years after discovering my career goals have I started even applying. But if the progression is automatic, it seems like the USMS has no incentive to hire directly to 1811.

Switch/Stub/smcc,

Correct me if I'm wrong, but haven't the Marshals hired "laterals" to 1811 billets in the past (i.e. 1811's from other agencies apply for 1811 spot with USMS)? If so, do they continue to do this periodically?