FBI

Here's what I know, both from having 8 good friends as USSS agents (two of them next-door neighbors) and from being in the application process myself.

You are correct. With regard to the physical fitness test however, you only have to take it at FLETC and CITP with the USSS. You don't have to take it at all prior to reporting at FLETC. At FLETC you don't even have to pass it, though you do have to pass it at CITP. FLETC is about 3 months long. CITP is about 4 months long at is held at the USSS training facility in Laurel, MD.

The USSS application process is moving EXTREMELY fast right now. I applied on January 31 and I have my security interview next week. At my panel interview they said I should expect to be at FLETC in July (assuming I go with the USSS over the FBI). They are making a big hiring push because they are extremely undermanned and their new director has made lifestyle improvements a priority for USSS personnel. From what I hear he's doing great things, though of course it will take a while for the improvements to fully work their way through the agency.

If you have a master's degree you will start as a GS-9. If not, a GS-7. Assuming the former, you will be a GS-13 in 3 years (as opposed to 5 in the FBI). Year 0: GS-9, Year 1: GS-11, Year 2: GS-12, Year 3: GS-13. You will also likely earn significant overtime which will increase the pay further.

Regarding your career - typically your first assignment will last 6 years and will primarily involve investigations at a field office. However, because they are undermanned and the Trump protection detail is so large because of the size of Trump's family, the first assignment has been temporarily shortened to 3 years. The second (phase 2) assignment is on a protection detail and currently lasts about 6 years. You can expect to move to Washington DC for your protection detail.

The travel is significant. USSS agents are gone A LOT. Life is hard for their families. My neighbors' wives constantly complain about it (but they don't complain about the money - these guys frequently cap out the GS pay scale from overtime). Even during your field office assignments you will routinely be called to travel to help with protection.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Edited by user Thursday, March 29, 2018 6:43:29 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

They will max you at GS-9 step 10, yes (they're doing the same for me). Prior to attending FLETC you will be given options to choose from regarding your FO. I've heard of people getting anywhere from only 1 option to getting 6 choices. My friends have never heard of anyone's location getting changed after they made their choice. Also, you will sign a continuing service agreement which commits you to staying with the USSS for a set amount of time after finishing training. I don't know the length of commitment.

In my opinion, the questions on the USSS phase 1 exam are much harder than the FBI exam. The grammar questions can be very tricky and the physical memory questions can be very detailed. Of course, I don't know how hard the exam as a whole is - a test with hard questions is still easy if the score required to pass is very low.