The Official March 2009 DUSM FCIP Applicant Thread

[davejoyce2000]

I read on many forums including this one that many applicants don't pass the interview. So what makes the interview so difficult to pass?

[AUTIGER45]

F.y.i.
I have been told that they are running a new academy group every three weeks and will do so until october. The hold up on the f.c.i.p applicants getting to an academy is that they have to go through the vets first then the co-op's and then the f.c.i.p. People. Also they just approved applicants to be hired nationwide instaed of the region they applied for. They limited it in the past to only the region you were applying for. This is just what i have been told. If there is better or more accurate info out there, please feel free to correct me.

[Phoenix623]

There are non vets who are getting hired before vets I believe so I don't know how that works...

[midwest]

I have served 4 years in the Navy as a military police officer. I worked in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as a prision guard, and I am currently working as police officer as a civilian. I have 45 credit hours and counting. What are my chances of getting on with USMS? I spoke to a recruiter and he told me i was qualified, and he said he would advise me the next time they open up for applications again. Anything I should know or be doing to prepare myself. all comments and advice are welcome. Thank you in advance

[Switchback]

F.y.i.
I have been told that they are running a new academy group every three weeks and will do so until october. The hold up on the f.c.i.p applicants getting to an academy is that they have to go through the vets first then the co-op's and then the f.c.i.p. People. Also they just approved applicants to be hired nationwide instaed of the region they applied for. They limited it in the past to only the region you were applying for. This is just what i have been told. If there is better or more accurate info out there, please feel free to correct me.

Yup... there is nothing like stirring up the ol' rumor mill with completely unsubstantiated silliness. It's not your fault, but this is so silly that I am not going to even address it point-by-point. There are plenty of recent posts that are more accurate that contradict this one... go with them.

I have served 4 years in the Navy as a military police officer. I worked in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as a prision guard, and I am currently working as police officer as a civilian. I have 45 credit hours and counting. What are my chances of getting on with USMS? I spoke to a recruiter and he told me i was qualified, and he said he would advise me the next time they open up for applications again. Anything I should know or be doing to prepare myself. all comments and advice are welcome. Thank you in advance

Qualified and competitive are 2 different things. Finish your degree to be competitive. That is not to say that you could not get hired without it... it's just harder. Military and LE are great experiences to have on your resume. Being an MP and prison guard means nothing... in fact, when asking for LE experience, they used to clearly state taht being a CO did NOT count as LE experience on the application.

More importantly, you should know that you very well may have missed the bus for a couple years. I think most regions are done with the information sessions (the first step) and this hiring initiative was in preparation of hiring about 500 DUSMs. Once the hiring is done for this year, it will likely slow down for a while (as that is a whole slew of people to bring on).

[MikeG]

I read on many forums including this one that many applicants don't pass the interview. So what makes the interview so difficult to pass?

Interviewers.

[midwest]

Thank you for responding to my post switchback, but there was a littlke confusion. I never said i was a CO, I worked in camp Delta with the detainees. It is a completely different NEC than a CO. Anyways, I'm new to this thread and I enjoy reading and learning from all you guys. I am curious why no one has mentioned about taking the exam. When i spoke to the recruiter the other day, he said he is in Washington, D.C. all month because they are getting away from the treasuary exam, and creating an exam strictly for the USMS. I also heard you guys speak alot about the writing sample. Is the writing sample on microsoft word, or is hand written? thanks all

[Switchback]

We have not used an exam for a very long time. DOJ deemed it racist. A lot of people claimed that it was too difficult. Luckily, I was studying for teh GRE, so it was not much trouble at all.

They are in a process of developing a new one. I was not clear on it being a USMS only type of exam. If that is the case, my optimism has plummeted and fully expect it to rival something you would find on the side of a Happy Meal. Ah well...



...and sorry, midwest, Prison Guard = CO. Just like beign an MP is not LE... for a few it is. For most it is physical security and infantry work.

[midwest]

Switchback,

I could not agree with you more. I mostly did force protection and harbor security besides my stint at GTMO. I did get a lot of LE training just not much experience. I am a civilian Police Officer now, and being in the military as an MP helped me out alot when i was in the academy. Switchback could you give me a rundown how the hiring process works from start to finish. I would greatly appreciate it.

[Switchback]

I'll try. I am betting that most applicants (still in the process) know it better than me. It's completely different from when I came on. I will fill you in on what I know.

I think the first step may have changed (as it is silly as hell and seems a bit prejudice against those with full time jobs). It started off with calling in. You had 2 days to do so. You would normally get a busy signal and you had to just sit there and call... all the while, hoping to get through. Then they would screen calls for qualified applicants. There was a limit of slots at the information session at each region and the call lines were ignored after that threshhold was reached.

Those who made the list would attend an information session. This information session is little more than an opportunity to submit some paperwork and listen to a dumbed-down, Cliff notes version about what the USMS is about.

I don't think everyone who attends the information session will be selected to attend the interview. Regardless, those chosen to attend the interview fill out paperwork for their BI. IF you pass the oral portion of the interview, you will immediately complete the written portion. So, it is what I would call a clue that you failed if you are NOT asked to do the written portion at the end of your oral interview. From what I have heard from those doing the interviews, only about 1 in 7 pass.

After that, it is time for your medical screening and background investigation. Sometimes medical is first, sometimes it isn't. It really doesn't matter. FYI, they have only 45 days to complete the BI from the time that it is sent out in the field.

Finally, there is the fit test. Your butt should be in decent shape, as there is no surprise that it is coming AND MANDATORY. FYI, it is good for only 6 months. If you take the fit and you are still waiting when 6 months pass, you will need to do it again in order to remain eligible for hire.

If anyone can clarify or correct me, feel free. I really have no need to stay up to date on the hiring process, as I already have the job and play no role in hiring.

[midwest]

Thank you

[AUTIGER45]

Got the call today!!! Going to the april 22nd class at fletc!!!!!!

[DarcKnight]

Switch you hit it dead on. From start to finish. I would like to ad that its a long process and you have to be very patient. Also its good to try and stay in contact with the recruiter within your district when you apply and attend the information session.

AUTIGER45,
Congratulations man. Where you headed region wise? I hope to be joining you soon down there in Glynco. Keep in touch.

D. Knight

[brhawk02]

are you beed15 on officer.com, autiger45?

[AUTIGER45]

switch you hit it dead on. From start to finish. I would like to ad that its a long process and you have to be very patient. Also its good to try and stay in contact with the recruiter within your district when you apply and attend the information session.

Autiger45,
congratulations man. Where you headed region wise? I hope to be joining you soon down there in glynco. Keep in touch.

D. Knight

thanks!!! All the woman told me yesterday was that i was going to the southeast, but i am prety sure i will most likely be in alabama somewhere. Will update when i get my papers in the next couple of days!!!!