Yet Another Question about becoming an OSI reservist

[revisionist00]

I first want to start out by applogizing if this is the 100000th post about the same question.

I have recently exited Active Duty Air Force and have joined the reserves. During my active duty I have always been interested in joining the OSI team but was hesitant since I was working in the computers field and wanted to maintain that knowledge base I passed. Now that I am working a full time computer job and have joined as a traditional reservist I feel like this may be an opportunity to look seriously into OSI.

I have been to the OSI website and have recieved the instructions on how to apply but I wanted to get some "inside" information.

As a reservist what is expected of you, In most reserve positions you train and catch up on anciliary training then go home. Is this the same for OSI? I also wanted to know how the specialties work in OSI (CI, Computers, Protective Services, Cyber Crime..etc). If any reservist or even Active Duty could help educate me on some of the good and bad of joining OSI that would be great! I thank you guys in advance and hope to hear from some of you soon!

[Kimble]

I'm not with OSI, or a reservist, but I am an agent with a MCIO for another service branch. From what I understand, reservists assists full-time agents (whether civilian or active-duty) wherever they can for their monthly weekends and annual 2-week periods. Can't speak for all MCIO reserve programs, but I have a coworker who is a reserve agent with another branch (USCG), and he has been put in active duty status before. Big difference in pay from GS-13 salary (his normal salary as a civilian agent) to E-6 pay with CGIS, so take into consideration the fact you may get activated if the service needs you, and how you will afford your bills during this time.

As with everything in law enforcement, you'll get the best answers straight from the source, which would be contacting the nearest OSI detachment and inquiring about reserve positions (asking an USAF recruiter is likely to be a waste of time, as they are not experts on OSI-specific intel).

I first want to start out by applogizing if this is the 100000th post about the same question.

I have recently exited Active Duty Air Force and have joined the reserves. During my active duty I have always been interested in joining the OSI team but was hesitant since I was working in the computers field and wanted to maintain that knowledge base I passed. Now that I am working a full time computer job and have joined as a traditional reservist I feel like this may be an opportunity to look seriously into OSI.

I have been to the OSI website and have recieved the instructions on how to apply but I wanted to get some "inside" information.

As a reservist what is expected of you, In most reserve positions you train and catch up on anciliary training then go home. Is this the same for OSI? I also wanted to know how the specialties work in OSI (CI, Computers, Protective Services, Cyber Crime..etc). If any reservist or even Active Duty could help educate me on some of the good and bad of joining OSI that would be great! I thank you guys in advance and hope to hear from some of you soon!

[charlydevo]

I haven't been in the military forum for quite some time. Otherwise, I'd have spoken up sooner. I am a Reserve Special Agent with OSI.

What you will do will vary from Det to Det. However, as a Reservist, you won't specialize in anything. You will do a lot of support stuff. You'll do plenty of background checks. Oftentimes, they will seek volunteers for extended active duty to help with cases. It's unlikely that you'll be a case agent at all. You will have duty days, and you'll be the first to respond. You'll open cases, but then you'll turn them over.

What did you do on active duty? Were you in the SF or Intel? By all means, apply and go for it if you're interested. But, I'm not sure how easy it will be for you to get in. Without law enforcement or Intel experience, it is pretty hard. Again, you might as well try.

I wish that I could give you more answers about getting in. But, I came into the reserves as an SA. You are already in and hoping to transfer to OSI. Those are different animals. As ROS said, start by contacting your local Det. I recommend putting on your best suit and going in person. Have a resume and some references in your hand. I'm sure that if the Det OIC wants you bad enough, he can get you.

Good luck.

[5letr]

I first want to start out by applogizing if this is the 100000th post about the same question.

I have recently exited Active Duty Air Force and have joined the reserves. During my active duty I have always been interested in joining the OSI team but was hesitant since I was working in the computers field and wanted to maintain that knowledge base I passed. Now that I am working a full time computer job and have joined as a traditional reservist I feel like this may be an opportunity to look seriously into OSI.

I have been to the OSI website and have recieved the instructions on how to apply but I wanted to get some "inside" information.

As a reservist what is expected of you, In most reserve positions you train and catch up on anciliary training then go home. Is this the same for OSI? I also wanted to know how the specialties work in OSI (CI, Computers, Protective Services, Cyber Crime..etc). If any reservist or even Active Duty could help educate me on some of the good and bad of joining OSI that would be great! I thank you guys in advance and hope to hear from some of you soon!

Call your lcoal OSI detachment. Where are you located, I can tell you who to call or PM me.

[revisionist00]

Thanks for all who replied and I am surprised that this discussion is not closed. I followed some advice and looked into local OSI Det for more information (St. Louis area and Denver (recent move)). A majority of the Det in my area suggest to wait until I finish my B.S. degree to pursue a career in OSI, some said they will have someone give me a call. I haven't been able to pin down any answer that points me in the right direction. A little background, I got out of Active duty because it sounded good, and my wife highly "recommended" that I got out. I have wanted to join OSI, for a while, and after working with a few OSI agents while working as a computer specialist with the Dept. of Justice, it re-fueled my want to do something more. I have no LE background, but a strong background in computers, with dabbling in Computer Forensics, and Ethical hacking. I am extremely interested in this career change and I have been even entertaining the idea of getting back into Active Duty to pursue this opportunity.

My new question is, has anyone in the forums heard any stories about reservists getting back into Active Duty to participate as a member of OSI? I understand that with reservists they have no guarantee that they will stick around long enough for them to be worth the trouble.

[Wolfman]

Not trying to sound like a Smart@ss, but truly the best source of information is by dialing 1-877-246-1453 and asking for your local recruiter. I have an AFOSI member I work with daily and within the last couple of years they have went from hiring, to frozen pay, to recruiting reserve officers, to being overpopulated in the officer ranks, etc etc.

The best source of information would be from the guys getting it daily - and who knows, they may be looking for guys that are good at Cyber stuff, so you could end up helping yourself by asking. Nothing is wrong with calling directly and asking, it shows interest - just don't be "that guy" who calls everyday

The recruiter would also know the likelihood of being able to activate to an OSI position permanently or in an extended ADT status.