I’m curious to know if HSI or DHS in general has pilot programs for people 1811s. I’m aware that the FBI does have some SA who also fly for the bureau. I haven’t been able to find any information on this for DHS other than CBP having 1881s, 1801s etc.

To further clarify so there’s no confusion, the questions is does HSI have a program where 1811s fly planes, e.g., FBIs Aviation Division?

Edit: if it does not, how feasible is it to go from 1811 to let’s say AMO 1801?

I’m interested in becoming and IRS CI. I was wondering if it was worth reaching out to my local recruiter about doing a sort of ride along. I know a lot of local PD’s have similar programs. Thought I would see on here if it’s even a possibility before contacting a recruiter.

Hi all,

Does anyone know how much time applicants get to rest between each event?

I have been looking on the USSS website, chat gpt as well as searching through this sub and have not found anything on this.

Thanks

Do any 3 letter agencies allow medical waivers for color vision? I cannot pass the color vision book, but can pass the test the FBI administers for 1811s.

For the record, I am not color blind, just color deficient. I can see all colors, just if you put certain shades next to each other, I may not see the difference between them (or it just takes a while to do so).

Hi All,

I'm 27M looking for a career change. I'm most interested in the money/accounting aspect of 1811. I've had this on my radar for like 5 years now, and it always finds its way back into my search when I start looking again. It's always fascinated me. My biggest hesitancy is relocating. I'm quite attached to my family and location. So much that I recently declined a second interview for a position offering as much as 250k (almost triple my current). I've heard IRS-CI is better about location preference than FBI, but never a guarantee. I believe I'd be starting at a substantial pay cut, as well, which is never fun (BA in finance, minor in econ. 5yr exp in mutual/hedge fund accounting that I doubt applies). I assume nothing similar exists in the private sector? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Hi all,

I wanted to ask if anyone had any experience with having asthma and going through FLETC/PT training? My asthma is pretty mild but after cardio it can act up just enough to where I will use my inhaler before I go to sleep, but not quite enough put me out of commission during the workout. Would I be allowed to have an inhaler to use before and after exercise at FLETC? I assume they won't let you carry it on your during PT. Thanks for the feedback!

Anyone have experience with pay retention, going from LEAP to a GS-12? Possibly looking into returning to where my wife and kids are at.

Currently with LEAP I am making 99k. Equivalent to the area I may relocate to would be a 12/5-6. They are wanting to offer me a 12/2. Trying to do some research regarding the subject before making any decisions.

Apologies if this is not the appropriate place to ask.

I applied last year went thru process, attended meet and greet, and was marked least competitive.

I reapplied in September of this year, with 6 months of new state employment as a public health preparedness planner, 2 new masters degrees, multiple cyber certification, and a couple certificates for being able to train others in ICS and Continuity.

Edit: I have 6 years of the desires work experience utilizing my original degree in public administration and emergency planning.

I got this email “After a review of your application, we have determined you do not meet the specialized experience requirements for Job Opening 54557, SPECIAL AGENT - GL-1811-10 (External - All U.S. Citizens). “

Was it just because of my timing or does the requirements continually change, I was a little perplexed on how I was able to move forward, but now I’m not able to.

I have more than enough work experience with my degree prior to this current job.

Any information it would be much appreciated

I did apply at tail end of September with the whole government shutdown timing.

Anyone attending the CITP FLETC program starting on December 3, 2024 get their letter yet ?

I’m trying to determine the time the program is finished (estimate) for both CITP and then HSI after. Factoring any holiday days.

Thanks in advance !

After 13 a month gestation period, I have received an offer.

There have been a lot of recent posts where the poster has clearly done zero research (either here or elsewhere). Also, many of these posts are incredibly low effort (e.g., people asking what agency is best without providing any info whatsoever about what types of cases they want to work).

Mods will lock and/or remove these posts without warning.

This sub is a wealth of information, so please search around before asking questions. If you decide to post, put some effort into the post so those who respond can actually provide good information.

Thanks.

I had my VIE September 13th, and I’m still waiting to hear back from them regarding when I’m supposed to head down to the Assessment Center. Curious on the experience of others

I applied for FAMS couple month ago and passed the entry test. I was invited to take the Field Office Assessment (FOA) but I got injured the day prior to it. I wrote the recruiter and she withdrew my application and said to apply to the next announcement, which I did today. My question is, do I have to take the proctored test again? Its been less than 90 days since I passed the first one..

Hello, I am a freshman in college pursuing a Criminal Justice degree and I want to work for the government after I am done. FBI, CIA, DOD.. My concentration is in Homeland Security and Counterterrorism. Also I am learning foreign languages. (Japanese and Arabic) I am researching internships now early. I wanted to ask if you are in the field what did you do for your internships and did it help to get you to where you are? I will add I’m also double majoring in Political Science.

Welcome to r/1811's weekly question thread.

With the growth of the sub, there's been an uptick in questions that are not easily answered, like "am I competitive?", "do I qualify?", "what are my chances?", "what agency/academy/degree/fed tac team is best?".

There has also been a rise in repetitive questions like "do I have to move for [agency]?", "What's the Wi-Fi at FLETC like?", "What's FLETC like?"

What goes here?

You can ask any question here provided it's within the rules. This recurring thread is to remind users we have resources that answer a lot about this career already, and provide a space to answer questions while helping us reduce the number of posts asking the same thing.

If you're new here, please research first to see if your question has been asked previously. If you can't find it, feel free to ask. Remember that the most common answer we're going to give here is either "it depends," or "that's squad and supervisor dependent."

Useful Resources

Check out our FAQ Mega Thread Or General Information & Common Questions

Want to be a high speed fed tac team operator? Realities of Being an 1811

Working on your degree? What Degree Should I Get?

Got an interview coming up? Prepare with the S.T.A.R. Method!

Remember the rules

1. Remain respectful at all times. This includes those of you who have participated here for a while, not just newbies.
2. Do not post any advice or other information unless you are sure it's accurate.
3. Please limit posts to those relevant to federal law enforcement.
4. Do not use this subreddit to advertise or spam other subreddits.
5. Be wary of claims made by unverified members.
6. No politics or current events.
7. Do not post/comment with a focus on polygraphs.
8. Practice OPSEC.
9. Accounts must age 24 hours before posting.

Please share your experiences.

This question is for current and recently retired DEA agents. I’ve also searched this sub but this question is slightly more specific with the answers not quite what I was looking for in the sub.

I am a current Police Officer who has future prospects for possibly becoming a DEA agent. I’m currently 29 years old. Recently I just came back from a deployment over seas with the ARNG as well.

I have toyed around in my head with the idea of LEGALLY getting on TRT. Last time I had my levels checked was going on 4 years ago. I measured up at 563 ng/dL.

Recently over the last year I have felt the symptoms of what could possibly be lower T. I do not think at my current age I would be below the 250-300 range that my family doctor would consider prescribing me TRT. However, I’ve felt much less libido, low motivation, less confidence, It seems no matter how much cardio and clean eating I do I can’t lose weight or tone up, I can’t build lean muscle or strength as easy as I used to, and sometimes have trouble focusing, and either can’t sleep or sleep too much. I’ve been incredibly stressed overseas, and my civilian job is inherently stressful.

I was considering going to a men’s vitality clinic which would diagnose and prescribe based on a holistic view rather than just my levels alone. While I’m sure I would get it prescribed, as a LEO it feels “dirty” in a sense that I wouldn’t be getting it prescribed by my family doctor and it would be less based on labs.

My question is if I did this and applied to the DEA would it be a “red flag” so to say or be something that disqualifies me from becoming an agent.

I really want to feel better and look better, and be motivated and have my drive back. But I don’t necessarily want to screw myself out of a potential career as an 1811 for it.

Would the DEA take exception to getting on TRT this route considering it’s legally prescribed but not within the general norm of following the lab work? Since the DEA is charged with enforcing the CSA and TRT is a schedule III, would this be concerning to them and disqualify me?

I would also be considering HCG to maintain gonadal function and Anastrazole to prevent E and gyno.

P.S. Respectfully I am only looking for answers to the question. I don’t necessarily want a lecture about the pros and cons of TRT and alternatives. I’ve looked into and realize that if this would disqualify it would be best to not get on it. I just want clarity and to understand my options. Thank you all in advance!

Good evening everyone. Just passed my FIT Test at the beginning of the week. From here on I gathered it’s just waiting on a call for a Drug Test and Academy is supposed to be 30-45 days from that to my understanding. Can anyone clarify if I’m incorrect on that or have any additional insight? Thank you.

Feel free to share your experience!

Sigh……….I accidentally did not see an offer to register for Phase III but I passed Phase I and Phase II. I changed my email password and forgot to log back into my phone so I never saw the email. I know my testing scores are good and I’m just going to have to apply when they post the job listing again but I’m worried that I won’t get a phase III offer again since I missed the email/didn’t reply (I just emailed them right now to let them know I didn’t see it even though I know I can’t go anymore). Did anything similar happen to anyone else?

Hey everyone, I have looked through all of the threads I could find and only saw one response to this question. Does anyone out there know if there there still an Exam part 2 involved in the Postal Inspector process?

Thanks to all in advance.

I’ve put in apps for 1811s, and I’m debating on if I need to pull them. I’ve applied for ones that locations are selected for you, and I’m wondering if you are able to survive in these high cost of living areas like San Diego or Hawaii? I have been reading on LEAP pay and barely understand it at all, and I reviewed the GS pay scale for Hawaii which seems shockingly low. San Diego seems a little more doable from what I’ve seen on the GS scale.

I know I would have to qualify for a GS-11 to even think of surviving. (I am already the equivalent in not the same field but kind of relevant)

My family dynamic is just myself and my 100% disabled vet spouse and pets, however may start expanding our family within the next year or so. We will need a little bit of space yet trying to be realistic if this is an opportunity worth pursuing.

Hey everyone,

I am currently an RO. I have wanted to do CI:SA but was extremely overweight. I have since lost over 150lbs. I know the direct hire is about to end. I am short 2 accounting classes to qualify. Would you all know if I am able to apply for the position if I finish the missing classes within 9 months. I know the job listing says something about being able to apply if you graduate within 9 months.

I see it says graduate and wanted to see if I could get clarification on “graduating” with a degree or just finishing the classes needed.

Thanks

I am looking at applying for a USPO position and was wondering if any existing or past USPO’s could chime in on which districts are good to work for? I have previous experience over the last 5 years both in LEO and probation/parole, with the last 3 years being a PO. I also have a BS in CJ. Currently looking at OK districts but am open to pretty much anywhere given that it can be tough to get accepted. Would like to find a district that is either down the middle for both social work/LE or that leans a little more LE oriented. Not super interested in 1811 at this time but would just like something that has some LEO aspects to it given my background.

Any information is appreciated!

I attended a talk today led by someone who will be assuming a new position in Army’s Special Operations. It was on leadership, and one of the questions he posited was: “what’s your purpose?”

It’s a question with which I’ve struggled before, and I’m not even sure I have the answer now.

I used to think that whatever my purpose was/is, it should be reflected in the occupation I choose. “When you enjoy your work” or whatever “you never work a day on your life” or whatever lol.

So my question to you is:

Do you know your purpose? If so, what is it? Do you think it’s being satisfied with your occupation? If not, how are you able to fulfill that purpose outside of your occupation?

EDIT: this question is directed moreso to your purpose as an individual, but that of a leader is welcomed, too

Does the FBI Special Agent position take corrections experience at the federal level (BOP) as specialized experience, or do I need to look for something else? I'm also in the army reserves, I thought it would be good to enlist for my prospects in the FBI but apparently I still don't have enough specialized experience. Should I try to go active or go in deployments? I would really like to work for the BOP but if I wonder if it will still be enough for "specialized experience" or if corrections just doesn't count.

Got the call today from the 2/24 announcement.

Background is 5 years Marine Corps infantry and a Bachelor’s in Homeland Security with Arabic minor.

Locations offered: Laredo, TX or San Diego, CA.

Pretty far off from my selected preferences of Miami, Palm Beach, or Ft. Lauderdale and I have already received an offer from ERO for Tampa, FL which I’ll more than likely keep over the HSI offer.

HR told me there will likely be another announcement with better options in the near future so it’s looking like I’ll reapply to those with the hope of receiving a different offer. Hopefully I’ll already be at FLETC and can just switch classes.

Carrer question

I’m a senior in college set to graduate next may, I want to go to the Federal route and join the DEA but I also know it’s not something guaranteed. So plan to apply to other agencies at local, state, and federal level. Out of those I applied to the GBI for Special Agent position (they allowed me to apply even though I don’t have my degree yet)

I applied to give myself options, but since I didn’t have my degree yet nor much experience I didn’t think much of it. But yesterday I got accepted to go on to stage two and take an exam. Originally I was going to apply to the DEA out of college, as well as applying to APD incase I wasn’t selected to get experience due to how busy they are. But with the GBI hitting me back I now have another opportunity. Would it be a good idea to go to the GBI with the plan to transition to the DEA? How much would it benefit me to go into the GBI oppose to local (experience wise)? And could it hurt my ability of applying to the DEA out of college forcing me to wait a bit?

TLDR: is it worth getting into a state level special agent position before going federal.