Post-1811 career/life?

[sprk_sprd]

Hello all,

First time poster. I've been interested in 1811 positions for several years, and so I've read posts going back several years on this forum, as well as another good one. However, one question which I really haven't seen addressed is the following:

Considering 1811's are forced to retire at age 57, what are one's options then? In other words, what types of careers might one go into after having gained several years worth of investigative experience? Aside from what I can guess may be the typical response (i.e. surveillance at Walmart, private investigator following divorce or personal injury cases, etc.), do large companies often hire former 1811? Is there a lucrative market for former 1811s?

In case anyone is wondering why I'm asking, it's because I already know the basic stuff about mobility agreements, take-home cars, field offices, etc. I'm not so much concerned with "what cool gun and badge" I may get, as I am with "how marketable will I be?" after retirement or even after just 5 or 10 years as an 1811. If one is injured on the job as an 1811 and cannot continue to perform the functions required, is the transition to another career easy? And if so, which companies hire former 1811s? Do Fortune 500 companies have a spot for former 1811s?

Thanks in advance for any input you all may have.

[Switchback]

It all really depends on what you do with your career, what agency you are in, etc.

For example, I have taught a lot of swat/firearms schools, done 9 years on a federal agency's national tactical team (to include tours overseas), etc. This could open doors in training/instruction, as well as some security companies (more along the lines of assessment and management).

I have also done some financial investigations. A buddy who has also done this financial stuff has been talked to by banks for a retirement gig. They have mentioned 6 figures PLUS a commission on the money he would save the banks.

Others who like judicial security/witness protection could go into private security firms (well above the rank of bullet-cushion), do corporate security assessments, VIP security assessments, etc.

There are a ton of opportunities out there for "go-getters". Then again, on a federal retirement with generous contributions to your TSP (our version of a 401K) throughout your career, you probably won't have to work when you retire if you don't want to.

[Kimble]

My grandfather retired from USSS, he now works on a golf course. One of his buddies works at a Pet Smart. When I retire, I want to be like Cain in "Kung Fu", walking the earth getting into adventures.

[Norm357]

You couold always be the greeter at WalMart.

[retdetsgt]

Personally, I rather enjoy doin' nuthin'.

One of the primary things attracting me to the career was early retirement. It was nice to be able to leave job responsibilities when I was young enough to still do a lot of things I wanted. I was careful with my money when I was working so I didn't have a lot of financial obligations when I pulled the pin so I could do most anything that came to mind.

A number of my friends and peers picked up another lunch bucket and started full time jobs after retirement and made a lot of money, I guess. While they were doing that, I was traveling around Europe and the USA having a good time.

I can say with some pride (and immodesty) that I busted my butt for 28 years. And I have a wall and a scrapbook full of stuff to prove some of it. But the day I walked out, I never went back. I had some pretty good unsolicited job offers ranging from working for a transport airline as an investigator to being a bodyguard for some guy that transported diamonds around the country. It took me 2.3 seconds to decline them all.

I love my retirement!

[Joeyd6]

With 10 years in the game and 3+ as a 1811, I have already had many doors open in front of me, all from Fortune 500 Companies. One offer was from a major soft drink company as a regional security manager and another at as nationl bank as the director of security for the region. And I am sure as I work my cases and get out there, nore doors will open. I ain't leaving till I am 50, but I am sure there will be plenty to do if I want, though I may just build/open a shooting range in NJ. We will see.

You have to get hired before you can retire. Trust me, you can do a lot at 57.....

[Nole795]

During my career I have met many former 1811 who are now financial investigators with banks, hotels, and corporate security. Most are making very good income. This is a main motivator for me to keep working financial crimes because you do make many contacts in both government and private.

Also one of the best kept secret in federal law enforcement is working as a contract employee from the same agency you just retired from. I have met agents who have retired on a Friday, who come back to work on Monday as a civilian contractor.

Now I hope I am in a position where I can afford to just sit back like my man RDS. But only time will tell how strong my portfolio is when that time comes.

[cntryboy0531]

While I'm not a Fed, I plan on following in RetDetSgt's footsteps. I can retire fully at age 45, or stay an extra five years and retire at 50 after 30 years of service. Frankly, the only thing I would like to do after this job, is fishing. I've seen nearly all members of my family work until they croak over, and honestly, I want to enjoy life.

[retdetsgt]

During my career I have met many former 1811 who are now financial investigators with banks, hotels, and corporate security.

Several of our fraud guys went to work for banks and such after retirement. The one thing they all told me was that it wasn't like working for the gubmint..... The private sector expected them to be busting their butts every moment they're at work.

I had planned all along to teach part time when I retired, I always enjoyed that. But the community college here where I wanted to teach doesn't pay squat for part timers. There are too many grad students in the area willing to it just for the experience. I could make more at a convenience store if you figured all the hours.

If I wanted to continue to do police work, I'd have stayed where I was. There I had beau coup seniority, 4 weeks vacation and had built up 2K hours of sick time. I had enough whiskers that if I woke up, it was a nice day and I wanted to go fishing instead, I could pick up the phone and it was done. I had no desire to work for some 30 something supervisor, have a week's vacation, etc.

[sprk_sprd]

Thanks for all the replies, folks. I do appreciate the input. Not so much the one about becoming a Walmart greeter, but thanks for the reply anyway. lol

I'm 36 now and fully aware of the age cutoff. I started the FBI SA process in 2004. I have a BS in biology and several years experience in the IT and finance fields. In 2004-05, I passed PI, PII, poly & med. I failed the PFT after attempting it while ill. After my COE was rescinded (with the usual invitation to re-apply after 45-60 days), I decided to continue with my current career at that time and build up my resume. Since then I've also obtained my MBA degree. I never have to worry about physical injuries or personal lawsuits related to the job (i.e. I'm not in LE). It's basically a very comfortable job which I do enjoy, and it provides me a semi-retired lifestyle. However, it doesn't provide me the satisfaction I *think* FLE opportunities *may* provide.

Please note that I emphasized those terms "may" and "think" because I have no misconceptions of being a Jack Bauer and saving the world. I've read books by Kessler, Ackerman and Kotelar. I understand the 95% boredom, 5% excitement ratio I've seen described on these forums. I'm not one of those naive idealists who decided to apply after watching too many episodes of "24". It would be an easy decision if I hated my job, didn't get along with everyone I work with (including management) and was totally unfulfilled. But that's not the case, and as a result I've excelled at my career over the past 6-8 years. In a nutshell, my concern is that I may leave a very good gig to jump into something about which I (and other applicants) can only imagine to understand based on readings and these forums, and then completely regret my decision. I've had this internal debate (whether to reactive the SA app process or not) for the past 5 years, and as soon as I think I've come to a conclusion, it changes again.

Like I said - I appreciate all the input so far. As the clock keeps ticking, I'm nowhere closer to having made up my mind.

[BP348]

I'm not an 1811 but just the same there are oppertunities out there for retired LEO's if they want them. I know some who are happy doing the LEO thing by working at the local court house, BI's Re-hires whatever. I also know plenty who have part time jobs or even low maintaince full time jobs. My old boss drives a delievery truck and loves it. He told me after all thoses years being responsible for 150+ man station and everything that goes with that position he's happy to just be responsible for himself.

So it all depends on what you want to do.

[retdetsgt]

For the first year of retirement, I volunteered at my local library. It was a kick! Years of being a detective and a sergeant gave me pretty good organizational skills so in some ways I was in my element. But it was so nice to be around that kind of people after years of dealing with dirtbags, cynical cops and inept command personnel. You can forget that there are a lot of really nice people out there. It was a great transition to real life.

[Neferkare]

Thanks for all the replies, folks. I do appreciate the input. Not so much the one about becoming a Walmart greeter, but thanks for the reply anyway. lol

I'm 36 now and fully aware of the age cutoff. I started the FBI SA process in 2004. I have a BS in biology and several years experience in the IT and finance fields. In 2004-05, I passed PI, PII, poly & med. I failed the PFT after attempting it while ill. After my COE was rescinded (with the usual invitation to re-apply after 45-60 days), I decided to continue with my current career at that time and build up my resume. Since then I've also obtained my MBA degree. I never have to worry about physical injuries or personal lawsuits related to the job (i.e. I'm not in LE). It's basically a very comfortable job which I do enjoy, and it provides me a semi-retired lifestyle. However, it doesn't provide me the satisfaction I *think* FLE opportunities *may* provide.

Please note that I emphasized those terms "may" and "think" because I have no misconceptions of being a Jack Bauer and saving the world. I've read books by Kessler, Ackerman and Kotelar. I understand the 95% boredom, 5% excitement ratio I've seen described on these forums. I'm not one of those naive idealists who decided to apply after watching too many episodes of "24". It would be an easy decision if I hated my job, didn't get along with everyone I work with (including management) and was totally unfulfilled. But that's not the case, and as a result I've excelled at my career over the past 6-8 years. In a nutshell, my concern is that I may leave a very good gig to jump into something about which I (and other applicants) can only imagine to understand based on readings and these forums, and then completely regret my decision. I've had this internal debate (whether to reactive the SA app process or not) for the past 5 years, and as soon as I think I've come to a conclusion, it changes again.

Like I said - I appreciate all the input so far. As the clock keeps ticking, I'm nowhere closer to having made up my mind.

I can sympathize with exactly this predicament. I left a highly paid technical field in the exact area I studied in during graduate school, to get into LE related work...currently an 1810 S/A slot, its interesting and fulfilling thus far; I will say this much though, there is value in knowing your job and knowing the ins and outs and making a leap to something different is just that a leap...sometimes you land on the other side and happily continue.. other times you wish you never jumped. My advice to you is to consider exactly what you are already considering, is this a field I would find interesting even if I wasn't as an 1811? The novelty of "special agent blah blah" quickly wears off...is investigation something that you would enjoy doing as a side job outside of your dream agency? For what it's worth you are not alone in being frustrated by not having access to all the information before being forced to make a decision. But then that's what keeps things exciting right? I go back and forth daily if I want to cross over to 1811 land as well; I have extremely closely aligned duties now..but I have about 8 years though give or take to make a decision. By virtue of the fact that you are even asking this question, I would put money on you being mentally agile and capable enough to make something enjoyable no matter what the career choice. When all else fails....some decisions are made for you; apply again see where it goes.

Best of luck in your future endeavors!