Officially aged out of the SA process

[sprk_sprd]

It's official. I've aged out of the SA process. I'm 36.5 and won't be further processed. I had passed Phase 1 & 2, the PSI/poly and medical for the FBI SA position back in 2004-05. After failing the PFT and having my COE rescinded, I put the process on hold while I gained more work experience and got my MBA - all the while remaining very interested in pursuing the SA career. After re-applying to this last opening (FBI SA) in September, I received notice that they weren't pushing my application through since I turn 37 next year. I realize that the process takes a long time, but I had figured that my experience (B.S. biology, MBA, Arabic speaker), along with having completed everything but the PFT and BI would allow me to re-enter and finish the process. But evidently, classes are quickly filling up. So even if they were to complete all that was left, I wouldn't get assigned a class before turning 37.

It's been a long road, but it's finally come to an end.

For what it's worth, I genuinely thank all of you LEO's that have spent countless hours, for years, positing on this and other forums. I've been reading these forums since my interest in LE started a long time ago. You provided valuable insight to those of us who have aspired to join your ranks and struggled through the hiring process. I know that I speak for a lot of us applicants in saying that we owe you much gratitude.

[Piggy]

Sorry to hear that. Everything happens for a reason, hopefully this is one of them.

Are you prior military?

[sprk_sprd]

Sorry to hear that. Everything happens for a reason, hopefully this is one of them.

Are you prior military?

Thanks, Piggy. I'm not prior military, so no age waiver for me. I'm now starting to consider the reserves, if nothing more than to perhaps gain additional experience that may help me get into intel positions. But I find it difficult jumping into something without full dedication. Don't get me wrong - I'd like to serve my country, and I had long decided that I was more cut out for FLE than military. Similarly, I don't know if I'm willing to try out for Border Patrol or BOP *only hoping* to reapply to another SA position after I've achieved 6c coverage. I believe that would be a disservice to the brave folks of the Border Patrol and BOP.

[Kimble]

Still a lot of good federal LE positions in support areas, many doing similar functions to 1811s, in the 1801, 1810 and 0080 series. Good luck, whichever path you decide on.

[MikeG]

You were on the critical skill track (arabic speaker) and they still didn't get you in?

Just a question: are there other DOJ LE that have quicker processing? Maybe getting an appt there will get your clock started before 37 and allow xfer?

[MikeG]

Not that it would help, but who is the "Head of Department Components" for the FBI? Is that the Director? They can apparently grant waivers up to 40 (and the DOJ beyond that) but it doesn't sound like they routinely do it for anything other than Veterans. Time to process is listed as a possible reason.

Couldn't hurt to write a letter to the person with authority to do it though (and highlighting the components that waivers would require). The authority to grant waivers is in the below doc if you can find out who the designee is for FBI. I also read that no one in the department except the office with the power to grant the waiver will ever tell you that a waiver is possible because it violates some rule/law about employment eligibility. And they may have already evaluated you for it and declined or maybe they don't do it for the FBI any more. Still couldn't hurt if you haven't already asked about it.

USDOJ: JMD: Human Resources Staff: Chapter 1-6, Maximum Entry Age and Mandatory Retirement of Law Enforcement Officers

I have no personal experience with this but I've read about very qualified individuals becoming FBI agents when they would have been otherwise been DQ'd because higher ups think they have a unique skill. They still go through the Academy and all that.

From the document.

4. Exceptions to the maximum entry age. The AAG/A has the authority to approve exceptions to the maximum entry age. Exceptions to the maximum entry age will only be granted in cases of especially qualified individuals; shortage of highly qualified applicants for specific LEO positions (includes shortages in certain geographic areas); situations where tentative selectees for law enforcement positions have passed the maximum entry age due to unavoidable or unexpectedly lengthy clearance or processing requirements; or for other similarly compelling reasons.

Requests for exception to the maximum entry age must be submitted in writing by the Component Head (or designee) to the AAG/A, except as noted in paragraphs B.3. and B.5. of this chapter. The request should include the following:

a. The proposed appointee's name, date of birth, and the desired date of employment;

b. Copies of the position description and the proposed appointee's application for employment; and

c. A statement that fully explains the basis for the desired exception.

5. Delegation of authority to grant exceptions to the maximum entry age. The AAG/A has delegated authority to grant exceptions to the maximum entry age up to the day preceding the individual’s 40th birthday to the Heads of Department Components having law enforcement officers. This delegation of authority may not be redelegated.

[Motorolanut]

Hang in there..... not all is lost.. ICE jobs go to 40 yoa now. You could get your foot in the door with DHS.

[retdetsgt]

Or you could apply for a local PD or SO and be a real cop.......

[sprk_sprd]

Still a lot of good federal LE positions in support areas, many doing similar functions to 1811s, in the 1801, 1810 and 0080 series. Good luck, whichever path you decide on.

Hang in there..... not all is lost.. ICE jobs go to 40 yoa now. You could get your foot in the door with DHS.

Thanks, Kimble & Motorolaonut. The sting of rejection is slowly starting to wear off. I am beginning to look into the other series jobs. I just don't know if I'm settling for less if I go another route. And to any non-1811 folks here, please don't misconstrue that as a knock on your profession. I simply mean that I have wanted to be a SA for so long that I don't know if I'm giving up too easily, or if I should do what some folks have done and just join any agency that may accept me past 37 - even if I'm not thoroughly interested/prepared to do that mission. I just can't bring myself to joining the BP or BOP merely as a way to stop the clock. I fully realize the importance of what they do. But I don't think I'd be a good fit.

As another senior member here mentioned in another thread (yes, I read these things diligently!), the SA position isn't "the end all be all". A part of me even thinks intel-type work (0132) may actually be a better choice for me and my skillset, so that not getting into a SA class may not be such a bad thing after all. I'm typically a very practical person, but after having convinced myself that a certain FLE position is the "best of the best", it's a bit hard to let go.

[sprk_sprd]

You were on the critical skill track (arabic speaker) and they still didn't get you in?

MikeG,

Yes, I have 2 of the critical skills (i.e. Arabic speaker and biology degree). But the AC basically told me that while they normally would have reinvited me to pick up where I had left off (i.e. PFT, poly, medical and BI), that because of the high number of applicants who have already completed processing and have been scheduled for the academy, that I wouldn't be able to get in before my 37th birthday in March 2011.

I certainly appreciate the document you referenced in your post! I had previously read that they granted waivers, but I never knew the specifics or if it was even likely. I'll see if the AC is willing to offer me that as a possibility. As I stated above, I'm not sure if I've simply been deflated and therefore ready to move onto non-1811 positions, or if I should stubbornly continue to pursue an FBI SA slot. And in case anyone is wondering, I have nothing against applying to DEA, ATF, NCIS, etc. But at this point (i.e. age 36.5) I figured the only FLE agency willing to process me any further would be the FBI since they're the ones with whom I had already completed some of the processing.

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

[sprk_sprd]

Or you could apply for a local PD or SO and be a real cop.......

Instigator! I actually applied to a local PD here several years ago and passed the written and physical portions, but had decided to pursue the federal side based on other factors (i.e. critical skills).

[retdetsgt]

Instigator! I actually applied to a local PD here several years ago and passed the written and physical portions, but had decided to pursue the federal side based on other factors (i.e. critical skills).

Yeah, but as local, you not only carry a gun, but you can drive fast and beat people up!

Seriously, I only spent 10 years in uniform, but when I sit around talking and laughing about experiences, it's always regarding stuff that happened then. And some feds that I know that are former local cops do the same thing.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not being critical of federal LE at all. But you can't beat being out there in the masses in costume. As Joey once said, you're a spectator in the greatest show on earth. But as a suit, you don't get the same perspective.

Good luck in your endeavors!

[Big Sexy]

Hang in there..... not all is lost.. ICE jobs go to 40 yoa now. You could get your foot in the door with DHS.

What ICE jobs are you speaking of??

[Kimble]

Hang in there..... not all is lost.. ICE jobs go to 40 yoa now. You could get your foot in the door with DHS.

What ICE jobs are you speaking of??

I've heard ICE's IEA positions can be granted an age waiver up to 40, but was going to wait for an actual ICE employee to respond to Motorola's post before responding (Big, you've confirmed my suspicion that age waivers for all ICE LEOs, particularly SA's, is spurious).

[Big Sexy]

Mind you on the ERO (IE's, DO's) side of the house, things may run a little different. But BIG hasn't heard of any age waiver allowing them to hire past 37. BIG is friendly enough with some folks on that side of the house, it would take BIG but a text message, FB posting or phone call to verify or deny this claim.

On the HSI side of the house, if they are hired after 37, it's because they were already an 1811 somewhere else and more likely than not, lateraled over.

Any agency can grant a waiver, but for a new off the street hire with no experience......not impossible, but highly improbable. Most waivers you even hear of and they're extremely few and far between, concern experienced agents getting waivers for the 57 retirement. Even then, it's only because the person posses' a skill or institutional knowledge that is extremely difficult to be replace.