Federal Air Marshalls - Contacts?

[astanley]

A friend of mine (just cycled back from Tikrit, 42nd ID / MP) has applied for a job with the FAM - he got an email inviting him to fill out another application and do a security screening.

He's not sure if this is the normal process, or if he really has "down selected" into a more qualified pool.

He's looking to chat with someone familiar with the program about the process and what to expect (beyond the marketing literature and what he has read in the press)... anyone out here know someone / have insight? Ben is young (21) and very bright, very much wants a career in Law Enforcement, but wants to be on the ground, in the trenches.

Thoughts, advice?

Cheers,

-Andrew

 

[MSmith]

Ben is young (21) and very bright, very much wants a career in Law Enforcement, but wants to be on the ground, in the trenches.

Thoughts, advice?

Cheers,

-Andrew

I'm not sure that being an AIR marshal would qualify as being "on the ground".

And hopefully not "in the trenches".

 

[poadeleted3]

If he wants to be "on the ground, in the trenches," he may wish to re-evaluate whether or not the FAMs are where he really wants to be. Superb training, important job, but not he'll not be busting a bunch of bad guys, 'cept for a bunch of drunks maybe. Then again, street level law enforcement doesn't generally offer the chance to stop another 9/11.

 

[alaskaflyer]

I am in law enforcement (see avitar) and also have several friends in the FAM program.

As a young 21 year old he will feel as if he is making more money than God in the position, doing cool things, traveling etc.

The training is top notch.

However, as Joe said, he will not be doing much LE. Several of my friends that cycled into the program post 9/11 have left already, saying that though the money was good, they were bored and frustrated with the program. Like the Secret Service, there is a whole lot of waiting, not much doing.

My two cents.

 

[ausrere]

I am in law enforcement (see avitar) and also have several friends in the FAM program.

As a young 21 year old he will feel as if he is making more money than God in the position, doing cool things, traveling etc.

The training is top notch.

However, as Joe said, he will not be doing much LE. Several of my friends that cycled into the program post 9/11 have left already, saying that though the money was good, they were bored and frustrated with the program. Like the Secret Service, there is a whole lot of waiting, not much doing.

My two cents.

I second that. I know a few who got into the program post 9/11 who are already out.. they were bored silly.

Does he have a degree? Makes a difference in what he's eligible for. If he's determined to go federal, I'd suggest going DEA, FBI, ATF or even US Marshals office. DEA would probably be the most "in the trenches" sort of thing, but depending on how patient he is, the others can get him into some gritty law enforcement stuff too.

There is a big time shortage of LE officers right now, so major cities are recruiting hard. He can almost always find an “in the trenches” detail in big city if he doesn’t mind doing his time as a patrol officer (which I think is a deep enough trench if you ask me!)

 

[wsuffa]

Acquantence of mine from Cincinnati just jumped from TSA to FBI. She's in her 30's, always wanted to be with the bureau. Bored silly at TSA (and said the the FAMs were bored silly, too), but said TSA was more steady employment than being a PI.

 

[etsisk]

Bored silly at TSA (and said the the FAMs were bored silly, too), but said TSA was more steady employment than being a PI.

Well, THAT is certainly true! However, given the generally crazy state of the world - and the fact that the state of the world has always BEEN crazy - there's still work out there for PIs, I'm happy to say.

Of course most of my work is in the criminal defense side of things, so it's not like I'm gonna run out of potential clients . . . sheesh.

 

[wsuffa]

Of course most of my work is in the criminal defense side of things, so it's not like I'm gonna run out of potential clients . . . sheesh.

Ya' mean there isn't an endless market for chasing cheating spouses? Maybe you need to start a TV show - no, wait, there already is one: "Cheaters"... it make Springer look like a legit talk show...

 

[TMetzinger]

If he has a college degree, I'd suggest DEA first - the traditional career path there is street-level work making cases right out of the academy. An agent can bank away a TON of money during an overseas tour - enough to buy a house for cash when they return to the states.

 

[etsisk]

Ah, "cheating spouses" . . . I suspect that there will always be work in that area, as well, although it is not something that I choose to do. I reckon I'd be willing to do domestic cases for $120/hr - I can tolerate a LOT for two bucks a minute, I guess. Nah - I probably still wouldn't do it.

 

[alaskaflyer]

As for the question about whether he has made it to the "next level", several Federal agencies use the two-tiered hiring process (the FBI comes to mind.) It means that his initial application was screened for basic job qualifications and he passed, probably no more than that.

 

[Dean]

Like Alaskaflyer, I too am a full time LEO. I had several friends jump on the the federal LE band wagon and went to the FAM. Most of them were under 30 and have left the FAM. The only ones I know that stayed where close to the age cut off(40) and wanted the retirement. The young ones said it was the worst LE job out there, all they did was fly from here to there, get off the plane, check in their gun to the locals (if overseas) go stay in a Hotel and get ready for the flight home. Kind of the wash rinse and repeat method. So I would suggest another branch if he wants a fed job or go State police or Highway patrol. There are a lot of good county and city departments as well that are hiring.

 

[ausrere]

I'll second that. I was up in the Sheriff's office last week doing some paperwork, and was asked if I wanted a job as they were recruiting officers! uh, thanks but no thanks!

Well, just think, you could end up flying Helicopters for them! That would be my dream job.

I know a few departments that are offering recruiting bonuses for their current officers. That was never heard of when I got in to this biz.

 

[wsuffa]

Well, just think, you could end up flying Helicopters for them! That would be my dream job.

I know a few departments that are offering recruiting bonuses for their current officers. That was never heard of when I got in to this biz.

Look into DPS... they keep a fixed-wing 210 in the hangar next to mine, and they've got a helocopter based down here, too. (KSSF).

 

[ausrere]

Look into DPS... they keep a fixed-wing 210 in the hangar next to mine, and they've got a helocopter based down here, too. (KSSF).

The only problem with that plan is that there is no way I'm going through another academy at this late date (Especially the DPS academy!). The first one was fun enough in my early 20's thankyouverymuch!

I wonder, does DPS use civilian or sworn personnel to pilot their aircraft? I know they have several based here in Austin, but I've never ventured to that side of the airport. Some of the departments in this state use civilian pilots (like Fort Worth), but a few require commissioned officers to do it.

 

[wsuffa]

The only problem with that plan is that there is no way I'm going through another academy at this late date (Especially the DPS academy!). The first one was fun enough in my early 20's thankyouverymuch!

I wonder, does DPS use civilian or sworn personnel to pilot their aircraft? I know they have several based here in Austin, but I've never ventured to that side of the airport. Some of the departments in this state use civilian pilots (like Fort Worth), but a few require commissioned officers to do it.

The DPS guys down here tell me they're all sworn. It's a requirement. No idea whether you'd have to go back through academy or not.

 

[astanley]

Hey all,

Thanks for the great responses - Ben (my bro) is a great guy and really is looking to get his hands in something new. He is struggling with college, primarially because he has this strong desire to serve and utilize his training and ability domestically - he has contemplated reupping but he's not sure if he wants to stay MP for another tour. He did lots of security work for senior officers, politicals and business men on government business and really loved it... The security firms have contact him but he doesn't have enough SpecOps to get in, he thinks.

Like everyone figured out, he's 21, in the best shape of his life, believes in America and believes in Right vs Wrong... he just wants to be there in a way that is challenging.

Does a DHS FAM appointment get him anywhere? As in, with vet status, FAM experience, etc help him on other assignments?

I have been nudging him towards staying in school but he is bored out of his gourd. 18 months active plus his boot camp time has made school reallly boring for him.

Cheers,

-Andrew

 

[ausrere]

The DPS guys down here tell me they're all sworn. It's a requirement. No idea whether you'd have to go back through academy or not.

Yeah, if they are sworn, you would have to go through the academy unless you already work for DPS (or your department is merged with DPS as happened with the Capitol Police and the Security/PI Investigator board officers a few years ago). You also have to do time on highway patrol before you can transfer to the really fun jobs. I think I'll pass. I doubt I'd last long now with a DI screaming in my face.

 

[ausrere]

Hey all,


I have been nudging him towards staying in school but he is bored out of his gourd. 18 months active plus his boot camp time has made school reallly boring for him.

Cheers,

-Andrew

Andrew keep talking to him about staying in school. He'll regret it later in his career if he doesn't. It's tough getting promotions without that degree, and it's harder to go back and get it once you start working..(shift work and school just don't mix well) ...the voice of experience talking here!

 

[gkainz]

I doubt I'd last long now with a DI screaming in my face now.

Ah, but that's the beauty of experience and maturity... mentally, you can just go, "yeah, whatever. I get it." and the screaming just becomes another method of message delivery (If you really get the message, that is - I've seen it go the other way with that attitude in teens). Navy boot camp was a breeze for me - my mother could make a Marine DI wither in his tracks - I had plenty of prep for boot camp before I got there.