Officially aged out of the SA process

[Motorolanut]

Excuse me Big, my bad... I meant to say DHS, as in BP, CBP. Plus this whole HSI change over thing makes me laugh anyway. Seems like a big waste of money...But everyone knows, the G is not known for making intelligent decisions.
To the poster: you can always look at 0080, 1801, 1802 series as well. Just because the 1811 dream is out, don't write off working for the G. Thee are plenty of great careers with uncle sugar.

[BP348]

I'm not a big advocate of using one agency in order to get to another but while on that subject to the OP you would not be alone if you joined USBP just to kill the age clock. You will not the first nor the last. Its an option.

That being said if you couldn't pass the PFT for FBI what makes you think you could pass the PFT/PT for USBP? Granted our PT standards are not what they used to be but it's not a walk in the park either.

I see people leave USBP for 1811 positions all the time. If I would have been offered a better duty location I would have been one of them.

[Joeyd6]

BP is spot on. I have been to Glynco, Artesia and advance classes at Q. I say this without hesitation....the USBP PT and obstacle courses are no comparrison to anything I saw with my classes or other classes at G-A or the Q.

[mcsap]

Your skills may be well received in an agency ( state or local) that has a significant population of Arab speakers.

The below info was taken from a 2003 survey. The Arab Population in the U.S.

About half of the Arab population was concentrated in only five states: California, Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, and New York. These states contained 31 percent of the total U.S. population. People reporting an Arab ancestry also numbered over 40,000 in five other states (Illinois, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas). Over the last decade, the Arab population increased in almost every state. The Arab population in California increased by 48,000, more than in any other state.

The proportion of the population that was Arab was highest in Michigan where Arabs accounted for 1.2 percent of the total. Arabs comprised nearly 1 percent of the state populations in New Jersey and Massachusetts, which were 0.9 percent and 0.8 percent Arab, respectively.

Arabs represented a higher proportion of the population in 2000 than they did in 1990 in a large majority of states. The proportion of the population that was Arab grew from 0.8 percent in 1990 to 1.2 percent in 2000 in Michigan, and from 0.6 percent to 0.9 percent in New Jersey.


And another site...

•At least 3.5 million* Americans are of Arab descent
•Arab Americans live in all 50 states, but two thirds are concentrated in 10 states; one third of the total live in California, New York, and Michigan
•About 94% of Arab Americans live in metropolitan areas. Los Angeles, Detroit, New York/NJ, Chicago and Washington, D.C., are the top five metropolitan areas of Arab American concentration
•Lebanese Americans constitute a greater part of the total number of Arab Americans residing in most states, although in New Jersey, Egyptian Americans are the largest Arab group
•Americans of Iraqi decent make up the majority of Arab Americans in Tennessee
•While the largest Palestinian population is in California, the greatest concentration of Palestinians can be found in Illinois
•There are almost as many Iraqis living in Michigan as there are living in California, even though California is 3.5% larger than Michigan

[sprk_sprd]

I'm not a big advocate of using one agency in order to get to another but while on that subject to the OP you would not be alone if you joined USBP just to kill the age clock. You will not the first nor the last. Its an option.

That being said if you couldn't pass the PFT for FBI what makes you think you could pass the PFT/PT for USBP? Granted our PT standards are not what they used to be but it's not a walk in the park either.

I see people leave USBP for 1811 positions all the time. If I would have been offered a better duty location I would have been one of them.

BP348,

I actually agree with you. The reality is that if I were currently unemployed and desperate to get any job just to put food on the table, I may take that option. But I honestly don't want to possibly get stationed at some lousy border town, only hoping that another agency picks me up one day, all the while derailing my better half's career and selling the house in this market. I understand that others have done it, but I wouldn't want to simply add to an already high turnover rate at an important agency.

As for the PFT, it seemed from the BP website that their entry PT was much easier than that of the FBI. Something like 25 pushups, 25 situps and a 5 minute step-type test, if I'm not mistaken? Considering the physical nature of BP, I can only surmise that its relatively lower barriers to entry may be due to the agency desperately needing more people. The irony is that, judging from its mission, it's one of the more physically-demanding LE agencies. But I suppose that could be said for most local agencies, even though they too have relatively easier entrance PT's.

[sprk_sprd]

Thanks, mcsap.

I always figured that had I gotten in with the FBI that there would've been a good chance I'd get assigned to the Detroit FO based on the language/cultural stats you posted. But it appears that most of the big cities would be just as likely.

I haven't fully ruled out going local (now that I'm too old for 1811). But if I do, I'd probably apply/reapply to MPD in DC or PGPD here in MD. In the meantime, I'm also starting to look at other areas (0132 series) in which I can use my skill set to serve this country.

[MikeG]

I'll call my FO's AC this week and post what kind of feedback I get.

Any word on this track?

[schoromanski]

I recently saw a documentary on the national geographic channel of an FBI agent who was selected to interrogate Saddam Hussien.

Anyways, he said he was 1 of only 9 people in the FBI that could speak Arabic.

So.. its definitely worth pressing, any news?

[Kimble]

In the meantime, I'm also starting to look at other areas (0132 series) in which I can use my skill set to serve this country.

The 0132 position is often thought of as an analyst (i.e. someone sitting behind a computer desk reading raw intel reports and analyzing them to come up with a big picture), but there are some agencies (particularly within DoD) that have 0132 positions that are operational - to include deploying with DoD special agents down range. Not sure if that's what you're looking for, but 0132 positions with agencies like OSI, NCIS, and Army Intel might be worth exploring with your language skill set. In the intel community overall, your langauge capabiliaties could be useful for FBI (even if you've out-aged the special agent positions, there's other intel support positions), CIA, DIA and others.

Being a police officer in patrol was without a doubt the best job I ever had, but if it doesn't strike your interest, see I'd recommend exploring the intel community further (just realize any job with the USG may require travel, even international in some cases).

[basher52]

Big, I know a few here in NYS, both DHS ooops HSI and TSA. One fellow finished a career in the PD and was made a full blown 1811. He is several years past the limit. Uncle Sam does/gets whatever he wants.

[sprk_sprd]

Any word on this track?

MikeG,

As I'm now starting to consider intel positions, I'm going to temporarily postpone contacting the AC and inquiring about a waiver. I just want to see what other types of opportunities are out there first. I realize I'm already short on time, but I figure I should at least do a little more research before making a case for a SA age waiver.

As much as I wholeheartedly believed the SA route was the only way to go for a very long time, I'm starting to see the benefits of other types of positions and how they may be a better fit for me. I don't remember who it was on this site (maybe "JoeyD"?), but his words are now stuck in my head: "the SA job is not the end all be all." So, before I grovel to the AC, I want to explore all my options.

[sprk_sprd]

The 0132 position is often thought of as an analyst (i.e. someone sitting behind a computer desk reading raw intel reports and analyzing them to come up with a big picture), but there are some agencies (particularly within DoD) that have 0132 positions that are operational - to include deploying with DoD special agents down range. Not sure if that's what you're looking for, but 0132 positions with agencies like OSI, NCIS, and Army Intel might be worth exploring with your language skill set. In the intel community overall, your langauge capabiliaties could be useful for FBI (even if you've out-aged the special agent positions, there's other intel support positions), CIA, DIA and others.

Being a police officer in patrol was without a doubt the best job I ever had, but if it doesn't strike your interest, see I'd recommend exploring the intel community further (just realize any job with the USG may require travel, even international in some cases).

Kimble,

What you described (operational intel) is exactly what I'm interested in. I wouldn't mind the travel, and would especially appreciate deploying and interfacing with other agencies/personnel as opposed to sitting in front of a screen all day and every day. And, yes, I do realize that I probably won't be staying at 5 star hotels. I've been looking at and applied to some of the announcements for DIA, Army, Navy, etc. on the USAJobs site. However, even with my experience/skills, I'm not sure how competitive I am with folks who have military training and clearances. Most of the positions are very specific in requiring experience. I applied to the CIA years ago, but never heard back.

I'm even now starting to consider the Army Reserves. But that'll be a whole new thread.

[BP348]

As for the PFT, it seemed from the BP website that their entry PT was much easier than that of the FBI. Something like 25 pushups, 25 situps and a 5 minute step-type test, if I'm not mistaken?

The PFT test has changed. Its not really all that difficult. I can't remember the exact standards but I know they start by taking your BP, and then its push ups, sit ups, and then a 1 1/2 mile run. The run has to be done in like 15 minutes. Of course the academy standards are higher and also include the O-course, and sprint. But honestly the actual standards to pass our PT test really isn't all that hard. Its the day to day PT you do at the academy thats a MF'er!! And thats with the PT being calmed down when we shortened our academy. I believe that the actual PT test for FBI and DEA is harder then the PT test for USBP. Of course USBP requires the same standard for males and females to pass where I believe FBI and DEA have different standards for males and females.

Good Luck with whatever you decide.

[Big Sexy]

Any agency can grant a waiver, but for a new off the street hire with no experience......not impossible, but highly improbable. Even then, it's only because the person posses' a skill or institutional knowledge that is extremely difficult to be replace.

Big, I know a few here in NYS, both DHS ooops HSI and TSA. One fellow finished a career in the PD and was made a full blown 1811. He is several years past the limit. Uncle Sam does/gets whatever he wants.

BIG was addressing street hires with "no experience". There are always exceptions to the rule and an NYC detective, especially if he was in a JTTF or some other specialty type unit, couldn't be considered a no experience street hire.

Besides, BIG said improbable, not impossible.