Looking for tactical, what's my best bet?

[longshot]

I am a sophomore in college majoring in CJ and I've always been a fan of military and law enforcement tactical groups, but there are so many to choose from and for many the tactical aspect is very small. I was initially looking at DEA (the FAST program is very appealing) or even ATF, however I am only familiar with major agencies and don't know if there are any minor agencies that are more involved in the tactical/security field. I am also unfamiliar with law enforcement tactical groups (SWAT, etc). If someone could please school me on these topics it would be greatly appreciated.

[Switchback]

What, specifically, do you want to know? There are a TON of teams out there. Just for the federal teams alone, there are bothy regional and national teams in some agencies.

In all instances, you will need to get on with a specific agency and prove yourself on the job before you can request consideration for a tactical team. The opportunities of each team can vary greatly and it really is going to depend on what agency you are considering.

You would be a fool to pick an agency just for the tactical team. For example, if you can get hired by the FBI and went there ONLY because you want to be HRT, you will be very disappointed. The Bureau is anything but
tactical and even IF you can get on HRT, you will not be there your entire career... and what you do in the field offices is a far cry from what you would do on HRT.

I can tell you, first-hand, that the FAST team guys are a great bunch of guys. They are extremely professional, well-trained and high-speed. I did a lot of work with these guys in Afghanistan.

Now, HRT on the other hand, is not so generous. I am hoping that it was just a fluke, but these guys would not go out over the wire in Iraq when there was a genuine need and urgency. They would preferred to leave guys understaffed in a hot environment than go out there and back a fellow agency up. I know that it was not the guys on the ground as much as the administration, but still.

FWIW, I did a significant time on a team for a "major agency" that you apparently did not consider. Look into the U.S. Marshals Special Operations Group (SOG). If you can get hired by us AND Pass our selection, you will get a chance to participate in a huge variety of high-threat missions. You will get to do everything from 6 month tours in the mideast to take-downs of militia ranches. You will get to work on supporting DOD programs that don't exist as well as dealing with security of the domestic terrorist prosecutions. When the AG didn't know who to give an operation to, they gave it to us. You will do everything.

...BUT, the first thing you need to do is get hired.

[RoadDog1905]

There is also a healthy amount of cross-training that takes place between tactical groups. For instance, our State SERT teams work a lot with local (Pittsburgh PD and Philadelphia PD or the Montgomery County SERT) and federal people. The local/state teams also get a lot of training from the federal people, including specialized schools.

If you get onto an agency, you'll meet other guys and work with them too.

But I have to strongly second everything that Switchback said. I know of no agency that will hire you and place you directly on any tactical team. You'll need to work your way up to there with years of doing the grunt work and showing your worth. Don't pick an agency because of their tactical team. Pick an agency because you think you'll enjoy doing the regular work that they do, else you'll be absolutely miserable for more then a few years.

[Samuel]

I have heard that having Explorer and/or Mall Security experience will shoo you right in! And, if you also have an Accounting degree, you'll be the head honcho in less than 6 months!

[MikeG]

If you like lots and lots of training but very little LE, this group has some of the best toys around. They are federal LE though and very tactical - probably beyond what you would see in other LE. See list of their latest operational gear at the bottom of their page.

They seem to be very proud that they convinced management of the need for some of those weapons and I think they enjoy finding new ways to use and test them.

The armorers for that group go to SHOT show. The shoot a ton of ammunition and go through a lot of firearms.

[Norm357]

Switch is just bragging. I hate it when he does that.

[Switchback]

Switch is just bragging. I hate it when he does that.

If I wanted to brag, I would just say, "I had coffee with Norm at a GA Wafflehouse."

Now they are a-swoonin'!


And, in case you didn't hear, I am just a has-been, Norm. I guess I had to grow up sooner or later (or at least LOOK like I am growing up).

[Ispbear]

I'm sure Switchback and some of the others have much more knowledge in this area, but our teams have a high concentration of prior military members with special operations backgrounds. So you might want to go be all you can be before applying for an agency.

[schoromanski]

I agree with switchback. I will try not to repeat everything he has said.

"In all instances, you will need to get on with a specific agency and prove yourself on the job before you can request consideration for a tactical team."

At Customs and ATF they have open spots which you can apply to once you are in that agency. They come and go. I met a guy on tactical with ATF, he had no prior law enforcement/military experience before coming on with tactical, he was an agent and then applied after a few years later. So it varies, anything is possible.

Just about every agency has a tactical team even Customs has a couple believe it or not to secure the ports. The training is very rigorous, so be in top shape.

[retdetsgt]

I'm sure Switchback and some of the others have much more knowledge in this area, but our teams have a high concentration of prior military members with special operations backgrounds. So you might want to go be all you can be before applying for an agency.

We didn't have that many military guys on our team, but they had been cops at least 5 years before they were taken in. They not only had to have good reputations as cops, but also be known as a team player. More than a few were rejected because they thought they were God's gift to law enforcement.

I never had a desire to do that, I had enough in the Army. But several of my friends were on our team and I'd describe them as having a lot of self confidence, but not a huge ego. "Strong, silent" types would be a good description of all the guy I knew on ours.

[longshot]

Thanks everyone for your insight. Will look into SOG and NNSA.
@schoromanski, I better start hitting the gym then!

[BP348]

Border Patrol has a good tactical team as well.

I agree with the other about wanting to be with the agency first. I couldn't say about the other agencies but I know there are plenty of guys who would like to be on the BORTAC team but very few make it.

It's kind of like wanting to be in a special forces team, how many try out compaired to how many make it? From what I've seen the graduating % (less then 10%) is about the same with the tac teams. If you can make it thats great but what if you don't pass the process? Just FYI just being in shape is only part of it.

[retdetsgt]

Just FYI just being in shape is only part of it.

Part of the training here is you have to watch a small window. Some time within an hour, a target will appear fro a brief moment and you shoot it. With my attention span, I'd be playing with dust bunnies when the target showed up.