FBI/CIA

[KiwiBird]

What is it like to apply to the FBI or CIA or other similar agencies after serving as an officer in the military? Are there benefits to having been an officer? Any related information would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Capt MJ]

What is it like to apply to the FBI or CIA or other similar agencies after serving as an officer in the military? Are there benefits to having been an officer? Any related information would be appreciated. Thank you.

The “ABC” agencies are happy to hire former junior officers either as field operators or analysts. They have military discipline, work ethic, physical fitness, security clearance, understand strategic planning and teamwork, have been in operational high-pressure situations leading people, can manage resources, etc.

The field operations specialty is highly competitive. We have had a couple of USNA sponsor alumni go that path, and they worked hard to pass all the qualifying steps.

Major and military specialty don’t make that much difference, except where it would be obvious, such as cyber skills or linguistics, and a few others. One of our sponsor family was an Oceanogrphy major and Surface Warfare Officer, another was Physics and Marine communications, another Systems Engineering and Chinese minor, and helo pilot.

Another benefit is that AD military time, including 4 years at a SA, can be included in Federal service retirement years calculations. To be clear, the 4 AD years at an SA cannot be used for military retirement planning.

 

[Wishful]

@Capt MJ I particularly like the fact that a SA grad can add 4 years to the Federal retirement system on Day 1 of employment. Might seem small at the beginning of someone's working career, but will look huge at the end.
Capt, do you know if these agencies have a 20 year retirement or some form of years worked & age formula, or something else?

 

[Capt MJ]

@Capt MJ I particularly like the fact that a SA grad can add 4 years to the Federal retirement system on Day 1 of employment. Might seem small at the beginning of someone's working career, but will look huge at the end.
Capt, do you know if these agencies have a 20 year retirement or some form of years worked & age formula, or something else?

Here’s a resource:

Benefits | FBIJOBS

www.fbijobs.gov

I think it is a combination of age eligibility, years worked, last three years of salary, etc., with a bit of special kicker for the special agents that the regular Federal service employees do not get.

Unofficial but reliable:

FBI Agent Salary Upon Retirement

After providing honorable service for their country, FBI special agents receive federal retirement benefits upon retirement to replace their salary. Agents with 25 or more years of service are eligible for a basic benefit, thrift savings plan and Social Security.

work.chron.com

The second link explains how someone with military AD years can “buy” the Federal retirement credit.

 

[cb7893]

The higher the level of security clearance require for one’s MOS, the better.

 

[Wishful]

Thanks Capt!!
Looking at the links with the military 'buy back' system, 4 years SA time credited to your pension time, the advantages of funding a TSP Roth (19.5K+ 6k outside one) & being able to be in the Reserve...that looks like a good way to go.

 

[Wishful]

@Capt MJ This post reminds me of a story. Back when I was a police officer I went to the County Range to shoot. Next to me was a young lady shooting a .357 2" snub nose revolver. Well we got to talking (my hair had color then) & she turned out to be a federal parole officer. Any handgun you can qualify with was OK. Her job, at that time, was visiting 20 or so 'clients'; her caseload consisted of international drug dealers, $$ launderers, & one guy who broke a mailmen's leg. No one complained when she entered their residence & was able to search anywhere she wanted. Lastly, she explained that federal court is a lot different than state court. Those responsible for courtroom security wear blazers & outbursts by defense attorney's are not allowed. Once in a while when a new defense attorney will appear & start to rant & rave-the judge stops them immediately; "This is federal court; we don't do that here." Basically it's how courtrooms are shown on TV. Seemed like a good job; 9x5 weekends & holidays off.

 

[Devil Doc]

@Wishful I had a .357 with three inch barrel and sold it. Wish I had it back but shooting it was painful. One of a close relative's every day carry is a plastic .357 with a slightly less than two inch barrel. At the range he'll reach it toward me to shoot. I say, NO, my magnum shooting days are over.

I have a summons for a grand jury in federal court. I have to call Friday to see if I have to go in. I guess that's why I call.

 

[banjoppd]

Seems like every 1811 at the Bureau I met was a former Army captain or MC Lt.

 

[Wishful]

@Devil Doc Ouch! Federal jury service can be loooong...
Seems to me you put your federal time in, but what do I know...

But reminds me of a story. My friend is a workmans comp/ social security disability lawyer. He had a client who was practicing medicine as a doctor in the Army before the authorities discovered he had no medical degree. oops Needless to say, he was dishonorably discharged. This individual now shows up at his disability hearing wearing a trench coat & a baseball-type hat which says "I was dishonorably discharged." My lawyer friend told him to wait in the hallway & was able to convince the judge that it was in the best interests of his client that he remain outside the courtroom! Ya think

 

[Devil Doc]

geez, what a story.

I could probably get out of it with next week being the last week of school but I want to go and see what's it's like. Maybe I'll get a high profile case. The eastern district of Virginia is where some heavy hitters are locked up and go to trial.

 

[Capt MJ]

geez, what a story.

I could probably get out of it with next week being the last week of school but I want to go and see what's it's like. Maybe I'll get a high profile case. The eastern district of Virginia is where some heavy hitters are locked up and go to trial.

Doc, I was “DQ’ed” from my Federal juror service. Defense didn’t want me on the jury because of military background and experience as a CO with administrative non-judicial punishment authority and as a Summary Court Martial officer. Too “law and order,” I suppose. I kept going when called during my assigned period of service, kept getting cut from the team. Ah well.

 

[Devil Doc]

Doc, I was “DQ’ed” from my Federal juror service. Defense didn’t want me on the jury because of military background and experience as a CO with administrative non-judicial punishment authority and as a Summary Court Martial officer. Too “law and order,” I suppose. I kept going when called during my assigned period of service, kept getting cut from the team. Ah well.

I'm the kind of guy who'll cause a mistrial. Not intentionally but I'll be ID'd from the get-go and won't even make it to opening arguments.

 

[MidCakePa]

Something I’ve always wondered about: Despite being a registered voter since turning 18, with never a break in that status despite numerous interstate moves, I’ve never once been called for jury duty. Not once!

Being a “sideline legal junky,” I truly want the juror experience. I’m well educated, have never been convicted of a felony, pay my taxes on time, and am a decent looking fellow (DW would concur, though she’s biased). Yet never a summons. For the legal eagles out there, any idea why?

 

[txfwindian]

@MidCakePa, I am wondering the same thing though my case was a bit opposite to yours. I GOT my jury orders when

- I was only about 6 months in the country
- never registered to vote ( not eligible to vote at that time)
- had never changed the county, have lived in same county since day 1
- not a legal junky
- back then did not have enough income to pay taxes

I guess maybe my looks.. from my new DL back in the day.

 

[Wishful]

@Devil Doc Not an expert but I think postponing for the summer but being definitely available during the school works for you.

 

[Wishful]

@txfwindian "Players gotta play..."

 

[Chockstock]

Is there anyone here who has served a full career or is serving in the FBI?

 

[Impulsive]

Can't speak for CIA or FBI, I am retired US Customs Enforcement (Special Agent GS-1811). Been retired for a while, but when I entered Federal Service after my military stint, GS-1811's were what was referred to as 6C Retirement. You had to be under 38 when hired (some federal L/E time got extensions, and mandatory retirement was 57. Retirement was based on your "high three" salary years, and you worked 20 and got 30 because you received 2.5% vs 2% for non 6C positions for each year. You also received an additional 20% of your base pay because of "administratively uncontrollable overtime AUO). Treasury LOVED former military, FBI always seemed to love "legal beagle types". Many of the FBI guys had JD or Graduate degrees in Criminal Justice, same with DEA.

Now with DHS, I understand military experience (with the requisite bachelors degree at a minimum) is highly valued. Any sort of "investigative" background is beneficial. Since most Commissioned Officers at some point do NJP, they do quasi investigations, so it is good thing.. One thing that is important (I think in any federal L/E service) is that when you apply, you take an exam and fill out a questionaire and are ranked on a hiring list. Military service gives you an extra 5 points which can make a BIG difference. That "List' is provided to EVERY office that has openings, and the SAC or ASAC selects the candidate(s) they desire, so it matters if you are known or know someone in the branch as you can be #1 and not be selected. Visit the office you want to work in and meet some of the Agents and Supervisors and get known, it helps!

 

[Humey]

Something I’ve always wondered about: Despite being a registered voter since turning 18, with never a break in that status despite numerous interstate moves, I’ve never once been called for jury duty. Not once!

Being a “sideline legal junky,” I truly want the juror experience. I’m well educated, have never been convicted of a felony, pay my taxes on time, and am a decent looking fellow (DW would concur, though she’s biased). Yet never a summons. For the legal eagles out there, any idea why?

And i get called all the time. I got lucky this time. My assigned time was early in the year but because I am a CPA I requested an extension and got several months. My week was the week of Memorial Day so it was a short week. I called in every day and never had to go in. Two to three years years ago, I did go in and of course, I was chosen for a jury. To make matters worse, I was an alternate which meant I got to spend 3 days on a jury and not have any say. Most of the others times either I never had to come in or was dismissed by the end of the day. The best was my first time. It was Thanksgiving week. We go in and by 11 they tell us to have a 2-hour lunch and go to Court A. At 1 pm we all go to court A and the lawyers come out saying they negotiated a settlement and then we were told to go home. What I learn is that holiday weeks especially Thanksgiving is the best time because no one wants to work that week. The truth is if that I were guaranteed a 5 day or less trial without me having to spend 1 hour or more on the freeway, I have would no problem and would actually look forward to it. However, I am self-employed and manage a one-person business. Anything more time and it would be painful