5 answers
Rebecca
Student
Dillon, South Carolina
1
Question
Asked
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I know I want to go into the fbi. I also know I need some sort of law enforcement or military background. I don’t know if it would be better to graduate high school and go into reserves and go to college at the same time, go to college and then go into the military afterwards, go straight into the military, or go straight to college and law school. I don’t know how to decide how I’m going to do it.
9th grade. In JROTC. Military girlfriend. #college #military #law-enforcement #lawyer #police #lawschool
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5 answers
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1662
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Rebecca,
Jobs with the FBI are highly competitive. While a military or law enforcement background is not necessary, I would encourage you to have some sort of background that showcases your ability to work as part of a team. That could include sports, which, would probably be good to help you get and stay in good physical condition. Taking ROTC in high school would show that you are familiar with the military/law enforcement style of taking orders promptly without question, and the chain-of-command. This would give you "military" experience without actually going into the military! However, if you need help paying for college, the military is not a bad idea, plus you could receive specialized training there that might make you more marketable to the FBI.
I encourage you to spend some time exploring the FBI Jobs website. There is information for students at all levels. https://www.fbijobs.gov/career-paths
It will help you get an idea of what they are looking for (foreign languages, STEM, etc) ,and the various pathways to getting hired.
You also want to make sure to be a person of impeccable moral character. As you progress through your teen years, there are temptations. Avoid them. Drugs, alcohol, driving record, school records, criminal activity, etc. Not sure what their policy is on tattoos, so be careful with that as well. As you get older, you will start to have financial responsibilities. Always pay your bills on time, and don't take on too much debt.
It's great that you are starting at a young age to prepare for this position! Best of luck!
Kim
Jobs with the FBI are highly competitive. While a military or law enforcement background is not necessary, I would encourage you to have some sort of background that showcases your ability to work as part of a team. That could include sports, which, would probably be good to help you get and stay in good physical condition. Taking ROTC in high school would show that you are familiar with the military/law enforcement style of taking orders promptly without question, and the chain-of-command. This would give you "military" experience without actually going into the military! However, if you need help paying for college, the military is not a bad idea, plus you could receive specialized training there that might make you more marketable to the FBI.
I encourage you to spend some time exploring the FBI Jobs website. There is information for students at all levels. https://www.fbijobs.gov/career-paths
It will help you get an idea of what they are looking for (foreign languages, STEM, etc) ,and the various pathways to getting hired.
You also want to make sure to be a person of impeccable moral character. As you progress through your teen years, there are temptations. Avoid them. Drugs, alcohol, driving record, school records, criminal activity, etc. Not sure what their policy is on tattoos, so be careful with that as well. As you get older, you will start to have financial responsibilities. Always pay your bills on time, and don't take on too much debt.
It's great that you are starting at a young age to prepare for this position! Best of luck!
Kim
Brian Jackson
Credit Risk Manager
6
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Brian’s Answer
First you need to understand the distinction between joining the military in the enlisted ranks versus joining as a commissioned officer.
You can join the enlisted ranks right out of high school. However there are many different professional specialties in the military, some that offer greater benefits and career paths. High school graduates that are prepared for technical careers are highly desired. This means taking the highest math and science courses you feel comfortable with during high school, or stretch what you believe you're capable.
To join as a commissioned officer you typically need to have a college degree. There are a couple of ways to do this.
(1) You can get a college degree from any college or university and then apply to enter a commissioning program, typically Officers Candidate School (OCS). The Navy, Army, and Air Force have separate OCS programs. It is also usually very competitive to get into an OCS program after college. The applicants in highest demand have technical degrees (engineering, science, math, computers).
(2) The other way to get a commission is to graduate from a military academy (Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard) or go to college while participating in an ROTC program. The ideal way is to apply for a four year or two year ROTC scholarship at the same time you are applying to college. Graduating from college through an ROTC scholarship program is also fairly competitive. Again, the services favor those who major in technical degrees.
Oh yeah, the FBI. All I know about that is that I graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. A classmate (someone who graduated the same year I did) spent five years in the Navy after graduating from the Naval Academy, and then joined the FBI. He retired after more than 20 years with the bureau (the FBI).
You can join the enlisted ranks right out of high school. However there are many different professional specialties in the military, some that offer greater benefits and career paths. High school graduates that are prepared for technical careers are highly desired. This means taking the highest math and science courses you feel comfortable with during high school, or stretch what you believe you're capable.
To join as a commissioned officer you typically need to have a college degree. There are a couple of ways to do this.
(1) You can get a college degree from any college or university and then apply to enter a commissioning program, typically Officers Candidate School (OCS). The Navy, Army, and Air Force have separate OCS programs. It is also usually very competitive to get into an OCS program after college. The applicants in highest demand have technical degrees (engineering, science, math, computers).
(2) The other way to get a commission is to graduate from a military academy (Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard) or go to college while participating in an ROTC program. The ideal way is to apply for a four year or two year ROTC scholarship at the same time you are applying to college. Graduating from college through an ROTC scholarship program is also fairly competitive. Again, the services favor those who major in technical degrees.
Oh yeah, the FBI. All I know about that is that I graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. A classmate (someone who graduated the same year I did) spent five years in the Navy after graduating from the Naval Academy, and then joined the FBI. He retired after more than 20 years with the bureau (the FBI).
Thomas Williams, SCERS
Special Agent in Charge at USG
4
Answers
Updated
Thomas’s Answer
Hi Rebecca -
As a Special Agent in Charge (DHS) there are a number of factors we look for in potential special agent candidates. Certainly military service is one of the factors that can help a candidate stand out for a position, but it is not the only or most essential factor.
Most hiring managers look for skills that are unique or differentiate one candidate from another. For example - language skills are highly sought after - Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Urdu, Russian and Spanish are all very good differentiators that make a candidate stand out. Unique skills such as computer forensics, network security and engineering will also help a candidate stand out.
To further help you stand out among candidates I would recommend volunteer or community service activities in addition to school activities such as student government or sports. As a hiring manager we look at these outside activities to get a sense of the candidate and how they work in their community. We look at leadership potential and the ability to interact with the public and people of various ages and cultures.
Finally, there are many other federal law enforcement agencies in addition to the FBI that will provide a challenging career, so remember to never limit your job search to one position. Research and apply for a number of agencies such as the US Marshals Service, the Drug Enforcement Agency, various positions with the Department of Homeland Security, the Postal Inspection Service, or the various Inspector General Offices that look into waste, fraud and abuse at each federal agency. You can find the open positions by searching on the USAJOBS website - keyword Special Agent or job series 1811.
Good Luck!
Find a unique skill that you enjoy (computer forensics, pathology, network engineering or a unique language)
Maintain a good level of physical fitness
Don't limit your job search to just one agency. A broader search among federal law enforcement jobs will result in more success.
As a Special Agent in Charge (DHS) there are a number of factors we look for in potential special agent candidates. Certainly military service is one of the factors that can help a candidate stand out for a position, but it is not the only or most essential factor.
Most hiring managers look for skills that are unique or differentiate one candidate from another. For example - language skills are highly sought after - Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Urdu, Russian and Spanish are all very good differentiators that make a candidate stand out. Unique skills such as computer forensics, network security and engineering will also help a candidate stand out.
To further help you stand out among candidates I would recommend volunteer or community service activities in addition to school activities such as student government or sports. As a hiring manager we look at these outside activities to get a sense of the candidate and how they work in their community. We look at leadership potential and the ability to interact with the public and people of various ages and cultures.
Finally, there are many other federal law enforcement agencies in addition to the FBI that will provide a challenging career, so remember to never limit your job search to one position. Research and apply for a number of agencies such as the US Marshals Service, the Drug Enforcement Agency, various positions with the Department of Homeland Security, the Postal Inspection Service, or the various Inspector General Offices that look into waste, fraud and abuse at each federal agency. You can find the open positions by searching on the USAJOBS website - keyword Special Agent or job series 1811.
Good Luck!
Thomas recommends the following next steps:
Toheeb Owolabi
Training and Development Specialist
1
Answer
Loganville, Georgia
Updated
Toheeb’s Answer
A law enforcement or military background is not required. to join the FBI, but there are benefits to military service in the FBI.
IT is wise of you to consider the pros and cons of when you attend college or enter the military.
Advantage of enrolling military first: they pay for college therefore avoiding student debt.
Advantage of attending college first: it fast-tracts you int better opportunities in the the military of FBI.
That said you may also want to consider becoming fluent in critical foreign languages.
IT is wise of you to consider the pros and cons of when you attend college or enter the military.
Advantage of enrolling military first: they pay for college therefore avoiding student debt.
Advantage of attending college first: it fast-tracts you int better opportunities in the the military of FBI.
That said you may also want to consider becoming fluent in critical foreign languages.
Frank Lemmon
Retired, former Sr. Software Test Eng.
98
Answers
Santa Clara, California
Updated
Frank’s Answer
Hi Rebecca,
First of all, don't get too stressed out by all the possibilities. Instead, ask yourself, "Which am I most interested in first?" If you head into the military first, you can complete your service and take advantage of the awesome GI Education benefits. Or, if you head to school, there is the opportunity to major in National Security Studies, in programs like the University of New Mexico offers - see their web page at https://nssp.unm.edu/ . Either way, "win-win" - so, stay flexible and see what develops as you move forward. Great that you have your eyes set on serving the country in the armed forces and/or civil service, too. Best wishes ahead!
First of all, don't get too stressed out by all the possibilities. Instead, ask yourself, "Which am I most interested in first?" If you head into the military first, you can complete your service and take advantage of the awesome GI Education benefits. Or, if you head to school, there is the opportunity to major in National Security Studies, in programs like the University of New Mexico offers - see their web page at https://nssp.unm.edu/ . Either way, "win-win" - so, stay flexible and see what develops as you move forward. Great that you have your eyes set on serving the country in the armed forces and/or civil service, too. Best wishes ahead!