Government Jobs

taymcg12

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Apr 21, 2015
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I was wondering about either academy grads or NROTC grads who become naval officers joining a government agency, such as the CIA or FBI after their enlistment is up. I wonder if those experiences and past postions help?
 
Im wondering more about high level security jobs like S12 or above by the way.
 
If you're an officer, you don't have an enlistment.

Service members can receive "veterans preference" for many federal positions. This would be an additional five or 10 points to your application. Of course, there are also experiences and backgrounds you can gain from the military that may give you a leg-up on some positions.
 
I have tons of friends who work for all the XYZ agencies and government at all levels. I honestly am not sure what an S-12 is? Are you talking GS-12? If you are that is a rank or paygrade for a civilian (one that isn't all that high), not a security clearance. A clearance is a clearance and you will be screened for them as needed within each agencies processes. Even if you have them, need to know is really what comes into play. The higher you go in terms of security type things having clearance doesn't get you access to info. You have to be read in and given access to things. I applied for many of these jobs and never had an issue with a clearance. You may be subjected to waterboarding... I mean a life style polygraph (dang thing feels like that) when applying for many of these jobs. I had a TS/SCI while in and still had to screen for each of these. Really only transfers to within the DoD. Each agency has their own nuances to what they are interested in and some agencies give polygraphs of their own (not lifestyle). You can use google and see what a lifestyle poly is... no big mystery.

As to your experience helping you land these jobs... yes and no. Depends on what you want to do and who are talking about applying to. As LITS said, Veteran's preference (you can google this) can help out. If you speak Farsi, Spanish and have a CPA's licence... guess what? Welcome to any agency you want! Intel background, foreign languages (some not all are in demand), accounting degrees are all great ways to fast track to certain agencies. What I can say having applied to many of these and having tons of friends who work in these fields, really understand the differences of something like CIA vs. being a Federal Agent and what those careers entail. It isn't all kicking down doors and running around doing cool ops.
 
I enjoyed the comment about waterboarding, but thanks, I'm just thinking that after I retire from the military it would be nice to have some kind of public service job.
 
I enjoyed the comment about waterboarding, but thanks, I'm just thinking that after I retire from the military it would be nice to have some kind of public service job.

After you retire from the military? I hope you know that isn't a guarantee.
 
You need to check out age requirements for many of these. A full career and retire... Awesome. But cross off special agent. 37 is the limit. Plenty of military members, retired or not, move on to government service in a variety of ways. Just typing this I can think of my friends who work for all parts of the DoD, state department, NCIS (and yes I ask about Gibbs and Abby every time I see them), FEMA, FBI, CIA, USAID, CBP, DEA. If I sit and think about it I can probably name another dozen or so. Some jobs transition more naturally than others. Beltway tours while on active duty can open lots of doors to GS jobs. Plenty of folks on this board have done that it or passed on them for other gigs (I did).

It's great to look ahead but in your scenario this is 25 years away. Military retirement is not a sure thing. Career designation is hit and miss depending on career fields, needs of military, funding, etc. Also at that time you might be married with a herd of children. So many things you don't think about now will come into play.
 
Listen to scout and NavyHoops.

Retirement is not guaranteed, never was. Don't make O4 in the AF and they typically will hand you your walking papers with @180 day notice.

You are at step 69. GS14 is step 69000.
 
By retire i meant leave I guess, but yes I do realize that retirement is not a sure thing in the military. Plus I'm also doing a lot of assuming and playing lots of scenarios out in my head. Just thought that I'd ask a few questions to fill my curiosity I guess!
 
After you leave the military and take a government job, you can 'buy back' your military years toward federal retirement.
 
try contractors too. SAIC, LM, NGC, etc.

I was wondering about either academy grads or NROTC grads who become naval officers joining a government agency, such as the CIA or FBI after their enlistment is up. I wonder if those experiences and past postions help?
 
By retire i meant leave I guess, but yes I do realize that retirement is not a sure thing in the military. Plus I'm also doing a lot of assuming and playing lots of scenarios out in my head. Just thought that I'd ask a few questions to fill my curiosity I guess!
I too agree with your point sir regarding the the military.
 
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After you leave the military and take a government job, you can 'buy back' your military years toward federal retirement.

And it's always best to buy back your military time as soon as possible, since the price increases over time with interest charges. But definitely buy back that time to be applied towards the FERS pension. Your "buy-back" expense can be recouped in 1-2 years through a higher FERS pension after retirement.
 
And it's always best to buy back your military time as soon as possible, since the price increases over time with interest charges. But definitely buy back that time to be applied towards the FERS pension. Your "buy-back" expense can be recouped in 1-2 years through a higher FERS pension after retirement.
Just started that process. The info from this forum (different thread) really helped!
 
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