New guy here. I have a FBI recruiting question, if anyone has some knowledge.

[AustinUSCG]

Hi,

Ill start with a little about myself:

Age: 23yrs old
Proffesion: US Coast guard
Rate: SK or Logistic Specialist (its currently changing from SK to LS)
Rank: E-4
Hometown: San Diego
Education: Working on my BS Accounting, minor in Criminal Justice

My question: What is my best path to becoming a FBI Special Agent with my current experience and education? (or) What should i add to my current goals for education and experience to be a competitive candidate for becoming an FBI Special Agent.

My current goals in 4-5yrs:

Experience: 6-7yrs military service as a logistic specialist, obtaining the rank of E-6.
Pistol, and rifle qualified. Boarding team memeber and Boarding Office qualified.
Education: BS in Accounting, minor in criminal justice, PA or CPA licensed
Other education/training: 5yrs-6yrs Mauy thai boxing training and competing, 6-7yrs Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training and competing, 4-5yrs judo training.

[retdetsgt]

First, you have to have a college degree to be an FBI SA. I would suggest something along the lines of computer science, accounting or perhaps a language.

Everything else looks pretty good.

[Citicop]

Change your minor from CJ to Computer Science (or add it as a double major/additional minor). The Feds LOVE computer savvy people. Learn a foreign language (Chinese, Korean, Russian, Arabic, and Farsi are all really good bets and will be in demand).

An advanced degree won't hurt either if you can swing it...

[AustinUSCG]

That's a good idea, thanks. What do you mean by advanced degree? like a MBA (Master's in Business Administration) or MPA (Master's in Public Administration)? Or a and additional degree in computer science?

[retdetsgt]

An MPA would be great if you want to move up in the organization. A lot has to do with your interest, if you really like computer science, you might want to look at that. But do something you enjoy.

[AustinUSCG]

An MPA would be great if you want to move up in the organization. A lot has to do with your interest, if you really like computer science, you might want to look at that. But do something you enjoy.

Thank you for you insight, and advise. Having a minor in computer science makes much more sense. I do realize that just a BS and Military experience wont make me a stand out agmost the rest and ill have to get further education.

[Kimble]

FBI is the 800 pound gorilla in federal LE, but they're far from the only game in town. Have you given any consideration into CGIS (within USCG)? They have active duty billets as well as civilian spots.

Also, since FBI is so large and has so many resources, you can contact an applicant coordinator/agent recruiter at any field office in the U.S. Wouldn't hurt to give them a call and ask specifics about current/near future hiring if they're the agency you wish to work for.

[retdetsgt]

FBI is the 800 pound gorilla in federal LE, but they're far from the only game in town. Have you given any consideration into CGIS (within USCG)? They have active duty billets as well as civilian spots.

Based on years of experience in dealing with federal agencies, the FBI wouldn't be in my top 10 choices. I met some great SA's, but I wouldn't care to work that at all.

[Joeyd6]

You got some great advice.....but a BA in accounting with a "CPA" and willingness to work in DC or NY City is a "straight to the front of the line pass." They love CPA's and are looking for more. It would get you the highly competitive ranking. The are over lawyered right now. Computers are a good route too, but its getting to be a flooded field. The currnet language need in demand is Chinese.

If you are putting your eggs in one basket all you will get is a omlette.

[AustinUSCG]

You got some great advice.....but a BA in accounting with a "CPA" and willingness to work in DC or NY City is a "straight to the front of the line pass." They love CPA's and are looking for more. It would get you the highly competitive ranking. The are over lawyered right now. Computers are a good route too, but its getting to be a flooded field. The currnet language need in demand is Chinese.

If you are putting your eggs in one basket all you will get is a omlette.

I have been getting great advice and I appreciate everyone's help.

Although my passion and drive is for FBI, my character has always turned me to performing as a law enforcement officer of any kind. I thought being in the DHS USCG I would perform more LE but it's a very narrow field and takes mostly luck to fall into. I haven't been able to select a LE unit and this pushes my urge for LE even further.

CGIS from what I've been told, is investigators for the USCG to deal USCG matters. Although they are very respected and well trained it doesn't interest me to stay in the USCG and be restricted to USCG matters.

I know firsthand plans almost never follow through so I've thought of options like CIA, Secret Service, ATF, DEA, USMS, CBI, and ex... I think the choices I'm making now will be applicable for any of these agencies.

If I'm wrong please let me know.

[Kimble]

I know firsthand plans almost never follow through so I've thought of options like CIA, Secret Service, ATF, DEA, USMS, CBI, and ex... I think the choices I'm making now will be applicable for any of these agencies.

Two things quick things that came to mind when reading the above: (1) CIA is not a federal law enforcement agency, they are an intelligence agency (very different animal from working investigations and arresting criminals), and (2) I've never heard of "CBI," did you mean Customs and Border Protection (CBP)?

Either way, good luck, it's a tough job market out there right now but there's spots available for folks with your credentials.

[Joeyd6]

While what all those three letters agencies do is considered "law enforcement," it is no more than what USCGIS handles.

You may want to define exactly what you want to do. Most USSS folks don't do much "law enforcement" and instead end up on protection details, aka- likely standing in a basement on a stairwell landing for 12 hours acorss the country from his family. Their retention rate is under 40% at the 7 year mark. Few USMS are out like on "Manhunters." Take a look around the court house. Find an FBI agent and ask how many arrest they have at the five year mark. You will find a suprisingly low answer. TV has portarys federal LE in a manner that is just so far beyond reality. As a former FAM, people would say "hey you got an awesome job." I told them if they wanted day in my life, get a lawn chair, set it up in their garage with a lonely old lady who will not shut up on one side and a obnoxious prick on the other, both randomly bothering you. Sit there for six hours and eat a half cooked Swanson TV dinner while trying to read a book with no place to go. See how fun that is after day three. Its an important job but many aren't satisfied at the end of the day when they go as they did not do traditional law enforcement yet it is an imporant job. If you want to enforce law and kick in doors and have the "action" on a regular basis, look into local and state police. They are the backbone of law enforcement and may help you fullfill your needs and desires.

You need to figure out what you want to do every day. Ride a desk or be about town? Kick in doors or follwoing a paper trail? Run lights and sirens around or be covert? Treated like a person who matters or just a body? You need to make a list of everything you want and then find the agencies that would cover that. Otherwise you will be miserable and hate the job.