Secret Service Special Agent - chances of getting DC as a first office?

[macteam]

Does anyone have any thoughts on whether requesting and receiving DC as a first assignment as a USSS Special Agent is likely?

I'm asking because I think I'm going to withdraw from the whole Secret Service process, even though I'm getting really far down the road with it. My spouse has just accepted a nice job in Maryland, and I'll be living in Rockville, MD in about a month. (She earns the nice money in the relationship, and she has worked too damn hard to get to the job she has just been offered, so I can't expect her to drift around the country while I play "tough guy").

I don't want to waste the Service's time by going through the whole process, then pulling out at the last minute if they offer me something other than DC, like NY or LA (or anywhere else, really). I gather that many people do go through the process knowing that they don't want many locations, but I think it's kinda dickish to do so, particularly as the Service is up-front with applicants about the fact that a first positing anywhere in the country is possible. I don't have that mobility anymore.

Also, would it be totally weird to apply for UD instead? They are all in DC and that might work now that I am limited in where I can look for jobs.

Thoughts would be very much appreciated - it's going to be rough to pull out of the process after all this hard work.

[Boxer4]

Stick with it. I doubt they want you so bad that they will be disappointed if you turn down an offer.

[macteam]

I hardly expected them to be disappointed, nor was that the question I asked.

I'm more concerned with wasting my own time than the agency's time - if I could be productively moving forward with UD towards a job I know I could 100% accept instead of dreaming about a long-shot local appointment in DC as a special agent, I'd rather move forward with UD. I'm past the age where I get a boner at the thought of being an 1811, and it's not something I'm prepared to put my life on hold for if DC really isn't an office where they often place new agents. Also, I don't feel comfortable wasting USSS time and money if an initial appointment to DC is virtually impossible. I'm sure there's many people here who are applying in the knowledge that they will only accept positions in Texas, or California, or Florida, but that's not how I roll. There's enough uncommitted crap clogging up the system without me adding to it.

Nor do I want to burn any bridges. If my wife suddenly finds that she is mobile again after a couple of years, I would like to drop back into USSS SA hiring. I'm not sure they would be too interested if they had already wasted their time with me once before.

[rouge5]

I agree with boxer4. Don't set yourself back. Keep the 1811 hope alive. You don't want to regret it down the line. Also many of USSS SA's new hires usually get assigned to the office they applied through. I am sure most applicants in the USSS SA pipeline are in the same boat as you, wanting their own specific geo preference. To say DC is virtually impossible is totally not true. Unlike other agencies like ICE & ATF majority of new hires are being place along the south west border, because of the need in that region. As for USSS the focus is not along the south west border, so you would not need to worry. what's also good is that USSS will let you know before hand your field office before signing on the dotted line. Something to think about.

[macteam]

Thanks boxer4 and rouge5. That actually makes sense, the more I think about it. Plus, UD has a higher age limit for joining, so I guess I could afford to hang on to the SA position for a while.

[rouge5]

There you go that's the spirit!!!Sometimes the illogical is the most logical answer. Just keep us posted.

[Nole795]

U.S. Secret Service is pretty good about keeping you in the area that you are processing. I know a lot of agents who stayed in the office that recruited them. Let your recruiter know that you are relocating to the Rockville area. Depending on where you are in the process, your file may be relocated to the office closest to your new residence.

DC is a major area and I dont see that being a problem for hire. Many USSS dread the day they have to go to relocate to that area so you should be good.

Good luck to you.

[UpOnBase2]

Thanks boxer4 and rouge5. That actually makes sense, the more I think about it. Plus, UD has a higher age limit for joining, so I guess I could afford to hang on to the SA position for a while.

Here is the problem for SA.

You will be put into an investigative squad 5-7 years, then do your protective mission rotation for a few years, then move again.

Expect to move 3ish times per career, so your plans of staying in DC metro isn't going to happen.

Good luck but if you want to stay in DC go UD/USPP/USCP/MPDC

[BP348]

U.S. Secret Service is pretty good about keeping you in the area that you are processing. I know a lot of agents who stayed in the office that recruited them. Let your recruiter know that you are relocating to the Rockville area. Depending on where you are in the process, your file may be relocated to the office closest to your new residence.

DC is a major area and I dont see that being a problem for hire. Many USSS dread the day they have to go to relocate to that area so you should be good.

Good luck to you.

+1

Let your recruiter know ASAP!!! Due to the cost of living I wouldn't think they get many who request that area so I'd think you have a good chance of getting a spot in the DC area.