How do you get into the FBI?

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I think I have finally decided what I would like to do. Well, I realise its not like the romantic vision given over by GTA4 or the X-Files but what is it actually like? How do you get into the FBI? Do you need to be American? Do you need to go in at an older age or at a young age, or is age not an issue (I'm thinking back to that film where there is a scholarly carrot-top who fails the physicals, and a macho blonde woman who needs help with her exams and in the finale they effect a coup de grace showing the stupid jock-male-nepos how to do it "the FBI way" - and they weren't young.) How viable a career option is the FBI? How viable is the NSA or is that just getting into a really scary area? Is the CIA recruited like MI5?

― Cozen (Cozen), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 22:21 (twenty-three years ago)

Lady, if you have to ask...

― Robert S. Mueller III, Wednesday, 22 January 2003 22:26 (twenty-three years ago)

My mom knew a guy who went into the CIA. He went to college and then law school. Apparently when he was leaving college he told the placement office he was interested in the CIA and they recruited him years later. He spent a summer being interrogated and background checked; it was apparently quite unpleasant. Then he changed his name.

― Maria (Maria), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 22:28 (twenty-three years ago)

I'd like to know the info backing up/behind that 'Lady, if you have to ask..."

For once.

― Cozen (Cozen), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 22:29 (twenty-three years ago)

I've had relatives and ex's relatives in several intelligence agencies, and all of them were in military intelligence first -- but none of those agencies were the FBI. I visited the FBI building in DC when I was a little kid, and that was one of the questions people asked -- I'm pretty sure they said something about college placement offices.

All of these people were in their early to mid 20s, for what it's worth.

― Tep (ktepi), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 22:32 (twenty-three years ago)

Yeah, you have to do it when you're in college - before you commit too many "sins" that will disqualify you

― Kerry (dymaxia), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 22:36 (twenty-three years ago)

A bull market, apparently

― felicity (felicity), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 22:42 (twenty-three years ago)

1. US Citizenship is required
2. Could you be blackmailed? If so, don't bother
3. Law enforcement/ Military experience a major bonus

Keep in mind that the FBI is not likely to take you on a second time if you've already applied once and not gotten the job.
Thus your first try had better be good.

I should point out at this juncture that the FBI is for people who also have a real paperwork fetish. You may be more interested in another government agency (Homeland Security? heh)

― Millar (Millar), Thursday, 23 January 2003 00:37 (twenty-three years ago)

Cozen, e-mail or IM me (trmllar) and we'll talk.

― Millar (Millar), Thursday, 23 January 2003 01:51 (twenty-three years ago)

THE FBI -- you know, FOR KIDS!

― donut bitch (donut), Thursday, 23 January 2003 01:52 (twenty-three years ago)

An applicant who has used any illegal drug (including anabolic steroids after February 27, 1991), other than marijuana, within the last ten years or more than five times in one's life will be found unsuitable for employment.

d'oh!

― That Girl (thatgirl), Thursday, 23 January 2003 02:38 (twenty-three years ago)

hint: they don't exactly do spinal taps

― Millar (Millar), Thursday, 23 January 2003 02:39 (twenty-three years ago)

I would like to become a spy. What does the spinal tap comment even mean? I'd make an excellent spy.

― Ally (mlescaut), Thursday, 23 January 2003 02:44 (twenty-three years ago)

The spinal tap comment means the their info on your drug usage is based on two things: record of prior convictions (in which case you're not getting in the door anyway) and what you tell them.

If anybody would like to become a 'spy', I suggest you start reading Cryptome on a regular basis. Getting a degree in one of the following fields is a big help:

1. Languages (we're not talking french and japanese)
2. Int'l Relations
3. Computer Science
4. Telecommunications Science
5. Engineering (we're not talking bridges)
6. Languages
7. Computer Science
8. Languages
9. Mathematics
10. Psychology
11. Law
12. Languages

Then, with that BS/MS under your belt, you may apply to appropriate agency for work as a paid intern. You will have to commit to a certain amount of time to work for the federal government, because it takes a while to train you. There is a lot of work to be done and you may very well end up 'in the field' if you're dedicated and you volunteer at the right moment.

In case you were wondering, all 'spies' basically get paid as regular civil servants, so here's how much you can expect to make. Plan on starting around GG-9.

― Millar (Millar), Thursday, 23 January 2003 03:01 (twenty-three years ago)

You might want to lose the gut too.

― James Blount (James Blount), Thursday, 23 January 2003 07:13 (twenty-three years ago)

ask Redhead Kingpin

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Thursday, 23 January 2003 07:58 (twenty-three years ago)

I've had several friends apply for the FBI/CIA/ATF and US Marshalls. The FBI looks for College Grads obviously, preferably Law school or comp science guys/girls, as well as engineers. A very extensive testing process. One friend of mine kept failing the lie detector test question concerning marijuana and he never touched it. Needless to say after the FBI gave him three tries they rejected him. Maybe you should check out the FBI'S website to learn more.

― Chris V. (Chris V), Thursday, 23 January 2003 14:06 (twenty-three years ago)

Better yet here's the application and faq's page.

― Chris V. (Chris V), Thursday, 23 January 2003 14:09 (twenty-three years ago)

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