Getting Competitive for DEA

[tre8]

Found out Friday that I passed the written section of the panel. Going in for the interview section tomorrow. After that, it's on to medical, background and PTT. Just training like hell until then.

Good luck. I called the Philly office about a week ago. They have me on file, but told me it was going to be about a month until I get a panel interview.

[FLE07GC]

Thus far I completed my written, panel, and medical. I am currently awaiting to be scheduled for my Fitness.

[jarheadfrog]

I'm in need of an honest, current, "in-the-know" opinion regardign duty assignments.

I am currently in the "pipeline" for DEA, just finished panel with positive results. Probably looking at BAT sometime in FY2010.

I have heard some first assignment horror stories regarding stagnation in post. IE-Guys getting stationed somewhere and being advised they'll be spending 10-12 years stuck in an office that has chronic vacancies (LA/NY) or a border station. I am attracted to a career with DEA because I enjoy the prospect of being able to move around often and have numerous duty stations throughout my career, expecially overseas. I have also heard that many agents are so tired of this they are applying to other agencies looking to lateral out. I understand that as a new agent there is the chance that I will be sent somewhere I do not care for, such as a border post, but if I wanted to spend half or more of my career there...I'd join the border patrol. Are the people telling me this suffering from the results of the hiring freeze a few years back, which prevented a backfill of new agents to replace them in less desirable assignments? Is this sort of stagnation the rule or the exception?

Also, How are they currently choosing assignments at BAT (random assignments vs. letting the class figure it out themselves from a list of available openings), and how many new agents are getting at least one of their three wishlist choices? Are the majority of graduates from each class being sent to same areas?

Lots of questions, some that you may not be able to answer, but I thank you in advance for any attempt to do so.

[JitsuBear]

If it is true that the DEA has constant openings in their NY office, any idea what that is. Seems like a "happening" place lol. Know the cost of living is high but i currently live in NJ and If i ever attempted a federal job like that I want to get as close to Home as possible.

[mleehogg]

I'll be happy if I never see another bubble sheet test in my life after today!. :eek:

[Group9]

I'm in need of an honest, current, "in-the-know" opinion regardign duty assignments.

I am currently in the "pipeline" for DEA, just finished panel with positive results. Probably looking at BAT sometime in FY2010.

I have heard some first assignment horror stories regarding stagnation in post. IE-Guys getting stationed somewhere and being advised they'll be spending 10-12 years stuck in an office that has chronic vacancies (LA/NY) or a border station. I am attracted to a career with DEA because I enjoy the prospect of being able to move around often and have numerous duty stations throughout my career, expecially overseas. I have also heard that many agents are so tired of this they are applying to other agencies looking to lateral out. I understand that as a new agent there is the chance that I will be sent somewhere I do not care for, such as a border post, but if I wanted to spend half or more of my career there...I'd join the border patrol. Are the people telling me this suffering from the results of the hiring freeze a few years back, which prevented a backfill of new agents to replace them in less desirable assignments? Is this sort of stagnation the rule or the exception?

Also, How are they currently choosing assignments at BAT (random assignments vs. letting the class figure it out themselves from a list of available openings), and how many new agents are getting at least one of their three wishlist choices? Are the majority of graduates from each class being sent to same areas?

Lots of questions, some that you may not be able to answer, but I thank you in advance for any attempt to do so.

The truth is, that if you are a person who won't be happy if DEA sends you someplace different than where you want to go, then DEA isn't really for you. There are a lot of federal law enforcement agencies that make an effort to make their agents happy in where they get sent, right from the academy. DEA isn't one of those agencies.

After getting a few years on, there will be a lot of opportunities for foreign assignments, lateral transfers to better places, and special assignments (like FAST for instance). Those are the payoff for taking the risk of a cruddy initial assignment. And, a lot of how successful you will be in getting those second assignments will be your reputation from your first one.

Get a reputation for hard work, little complaining, and always pitching in when there is a shitty job to get done, and you will find doors opened up for you all over the world. Get a reputation as a lazy whiner, and be prepared to stay where you initially land the rest of your career.

It may not be fair, but that really is the way DEA works.

[mleehogg]

Just finished the PTT with a 30. Two other guys took it with me and scored a 25 and 32. Happy to be done with it!

[scout_sniper03]

Anybody know when the next DEA job vacancy announcement will be?

How long are the announcements typically open? Are we talking months or weeks?