Calling any USSS 1811

[Seand442]

If any USSS 1811 is reading this, please pm me. I am looking for some info regarding the app process, academy and such. 8 years with a state agency looking for a change. Thanks in advance.

[Joeyd6]

Was an intern and work with them daily as we have cross-over on two case types. If you are married, and have kids, and think you will have remote chance of seeing them frequently, forget about it for the first 7-8 years, after that, you may.

Process is the same as most feds, with the exception of one step...a polygraph. Application....panel interview....poly.......medical......background.

Academy is FLETC going to the Criminal Investigator Training Program or CITP. Every 1811 out there except DEA/FBI go through the FLETC class, including ICE, ATF, US Marshal, OIG agents, etc...

After that, you go to Beltsville, MD, for the "agency add on." IF YOU CAN NOT SWIM......YOU WILL HAVE PROBLEMS IN BELTSVILLE! They sit you in a suit, in a simulated Marine one, flip it, and dunk it in a deep pool. You have to get yourself and the protectee out. Not a fun experience if you can't swim or are uncomfortable in the water. Otherwise its lost of fun and running.

When you get out, you are going big city.....Miami, New York, Los Angeles, etc.... Don't let them tell you otherwise. You will spend three-5 years there, learning the USSS way. While you may have previous experience, it is their way. During that time you will also travel to any and all protective details to start getting your feet wet. Around year 5-6, you get pulled for your protective assignment. You will be on that detail for 3 years. That means living on the road. Days off are slim, and the traditional five day work week is a distant thing. Your request for days off are not guaranteed. I know several agents here in NJ who were denied leave for the birth of their kids because of "the mission." I know an agent with 23 years on, whose daughter was getting married on Saturday with a rehearsal on Friday. He was "allowed" Saturday and Sunday off his detail. He worked Friday and had to travel in the overnight. He left Sunday to catch up with his detail on Monday.

The USSS is a great organization, but it is "their way" or the highway. They are not concerned about your kid, family, dreams, desires, etc.... As a result, the reason the USSS is always hiring is the turnover. They have more turnover than any other agency. And if you talk to some CAT Team folks, they are running in the red with personnel to the point five man teams are frequently running at half of normal staffing levels. There is also the unusual political influence of White House Staff on a daily basis that other agencies don't have.

If you are single.....go for it! If not, have sit down with the wife and kids and see if she can handle being a single parent for the majority of the month.

[Seand442]

Thanks for the info. I had heard some of the same before but this just reaffirms it. Job vs family is a very easy decision for me.

[UpOnBase2]

Same goes for UD/TSD divisions.

Great agency but nothing will come before the mission.

SA turnover isn't as bad compared to UD, but many will apply for 1811 laterals to ICE/USPIS/etc when there is an opening.

IMO - the best gig in the Feds is being a MIA but you need a "6-pack license" and previous LE...but that is a different thread

[esl550]

Same goes for UD/TSD divisions.

Great agency but nothing will come before the mission.

SA turnover isn't as bad compared to UD, but many will apply for 1811 laterals to ICE/USPIS/etc when there is an opening.

IMO - the best gig in the Feds is being a MIA but you need a "6-pack license" and previous LE...but that is a different thread

Here's the part where I get laughed out of the room, but what do "TSD" and "MIA" stand for?

[Kimble]

Here's the part where I get laughed out of the room, but what do "TSD" and "MIA" stand for?

TSD is the USSS' Technical Security Division, they do electronic surveillance and other "tech" stuff. MIA, I think, is Marine Interdiction Agent (here's a thread with further details: Marine Interdiction Agent).

[UpOnBase2]

No worries bro...I should have typed it out.

Here's the part where I get laughed out of the room, but what do "TSD" and "MIA" stand for?

[esl550]

Good thing though, I am now two acronyms the wiser!