Federal LE / family life

[intheaircop2]

What family life! My three kids don’t even know me. I am away from home more then I should be and the job is taxing on a family. If I knew what I know now I probably would have picked another career.

[BP348]

From what I've heard the FAMS have it pretty bad. I’ve heard that most 1811’s are like what Nole said. Call outs only a few times a year but I know the local ICE guys get called out just about every day they have the duty. Of course they handle all the immigration cases from 2 of the busiest USBP checkpoints in the nation. ;)

I don't know how true it is but one of the ICE guys told me that he had more cases last year then some entire ICE offices had.

[EndlessEcko]

What family life! My three kids don’t even know me. I am away from home more then I should be and the job is taxing on a family. If I knew what I know now I probably would have picked another career.

It's not that bad. :rolleyes:

[Big Sexy]

It's not that bad. :rolleyes:

Would have to agree. During BIG's shy of 4 year stint, the wife thought BIG gone a lot, but not to the point of, "Who are you?"

[BarXone]

For the USMS -

Is the job anything like what is depicted on that television series? I'm sure they grab the highlights, but how often are you shipped on a plane to the other side of country to nab someone? And how long do you usually stay on those trips for, on average? I realize it may depend case by case..

Great info guys ! :D

[Switchback]

Life is far better than what the show depicts. Generally, you MAY travel for bigger cases, but it is not that common. The real "muscle" comes in the ability to send collateral leads to other offices, often getting things done faster than the time it would take you to travel to the location. In fact, one time, I was able to set up hitting 2 locations (one in Tennessee and one in California) simultaneously within 15 hours of setting the ball in motion.

However, if you are in certain positions, you may go out a lot more often. Luckily, these are positions that you seek out and volunteer for (such as Special Operations, Technical Ops, OCDETF, Judicial Security Division, Witness Security and a few others).

If you don't want to travel, there are plenty of options. You can stay in general operations (court/transport) and you will have minimal travel requirements. You can promote to operational supervisor positions, Judicial Security Inspectors and several others.

The time you are away on travel can vary greatly, depending on your assignment. You may be sent on a high-threat trial for 3 days - 3 weeks. Several years ago, I used to rotate onto a full-time protection detail for 3 weeks at a time, usually doing 1-2 rotations a year.

When I got on SOG, I was gone about half of each year for 1-3 weeks at a time, with each of the last 2 years having a voluntary 6 month tour overseas PLUS a 5-6 weeks of missions. Don't worry, not many guys are on our SOG. After several years on SOG, I scaled back recently when I was promoted.

Most of my travel on cases these days tends to be about a week, with me setting up & managing take-downs. I do full-time fugitive work and the days can be long when I am at home, though.

If you like banker's hours, there are better options... unless you don't mind working in general ops. With that said, most of us love the job so much the hours don't bother us.

[Stub]

Is the job anything like what is depicted on that television series?

If you are conducting fugitive ops, then yes, the show gives good insight, despite some of the added drama.

I'm sure they grab the highlights, but how often are you shipped on a plane to the other side of country to nab someone?

Not very often.

And how long do you usually stay on those trips for, on average?

The length of your assignment is driven by many factors (circumstances, funding, likelihood of success...) Given his experience, Switch may be able to provide you a better answer.

[BarXone]

wow.. amazing info guys.

very informative.. I'm sure I'll be back with many more questions ;)

Just give me some time..

I wouldn't mind the workload as much as the distance some federal agencies would put me between me and my family. When it comes down to it, you either want it or you don't.

I'm from the New York City Area.. I'm aware one of their field offices is in Queens? I also believe there is one in Newark?

I have no prior law enforcement experience. I do have a 4-year degree in Political Science I'm in Graduate School for my Master's in Crim. Justice.

It's pathetic all of my sacrifice thus far makes me a candidate as stand out as a needle in a haystack. I am currently taking the CBP exam in April and I'm in the process of hiring for the NYPD. What's the best advice you can give me to set my eyes on a goal to one day hopefully join the USMS? (Besides the "stay clean" lecture haha)

Thanks so much for your time

[basher52]

As do AFOSI and NCIS, and I believe serval Inspector General agencies do as well.

ROS, don't you have to rotate every 5 years? My new partner (recently retired NCIS) was about to get an assignment change and move, so he retired instead. With 25+ years he was tired, he spent a major part of his career overseas.

[Group9]

If I added up the TDY's away from home, they have to be around a year and a half to two years, all together. Two four monthers, two three monthers, one seven weeker, a one monther, and so many one two and three weekers I have lost count.
Not too mention, eleven months living by myself, with my family in a different town, 800 miles away, due to bad timing and 9-11.

But, that's the job. If I wanted to always work in the same town, the same state, and the same country, I would have joined the PD. :D

[MP_Steve]

I have no prior law enforcement experience. I do have a 4-year degree in Political Science I'm in Graduate School for my Master's in Crim. Justice.

There is at least one guy on this board with his Masters degree AND prior local law enforcement experience, where it took him about two years after the applying to get hired on as an 1811. He also wasn't picky about agency from what I understand.

If you want to be an 1811 you won't limit yourself to just three agencies. Apply to a bunch, and go with whoever might hire you first. You can always transfer.

[Stub]

What's the best advice you can give me to set my eyes on a goal to one day hopefully join the USMS?

We look for a combination of higher education, military experience, and previous law enforcement experience.

In my basic class more than half had prior law enforcement experience, more than a third had prior military experience, and most had at least a bachelor's degree. The average age was 32.

[Kimble]

ROS, don't you have to rotate every 5 years? My new partner (recently retired NCIS) was about to get an assignment change and move, so he retired instead. With 25+ years he was tired, he spent a major part of his career overseas.

Give or take, yeah, that's about right (not just for us, but any military federal LE agency).