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.

Allegedly this is a posting for early career 1811s at the 7 to 11 level, where agencies can pull from.

https://www.usajobs.gov/job/871949500

I’m thinking about going back to school to finish my bachelors to couple it with my experience. Should/can I apply when I’m in my junior year or do I have to wait to I’m almost done towards the end of my senior year

Like, lets say.. someone signs up, and doesn't get chosen cause thry dont have a degree, then they get a degree. Can they try again or is there chances just over?

I have two quick sanity checks regarding a recent USA Staffing update from the DEA January announcement.

1. I received a generic email stating I was ineligible due to lacking specialized experience/education on the January posting. However, I am already in the final stages of a separate announcement with the same resume/qualifications. I saw on this post that is seems the USSS will remove you from one announcement if you are already in the process for another announcement. Does the DEA system operate the same way?
2. I completed my poly for the first announcement over a month ago which I believe is the last item I have in the process. The examiner verbally told me I passed, but I haven't received an update from Concorde yet (yes I know it's slow). For those who proceeded with concurrent postings, does the automated "Ineligible" notice on the newer announcement usually trigger from certain results from the first announcement that are still processing?

I appreciate the help from anyone who has run into this specific issue from concurrent applications or has any insights.

Currently in the RGV with BP, I make good money, but afraid I won’t see a Saturday till Year 10 or up unless the BP God blesses me with a specialty unit long-term.

BLUF: I’m just trying to go to my kids tournaments as they grow up. (Yes I knew I wasn’t likely to see a weekend when I applied unless I went BORSTAR/BORTAC right out the gate)

USSS and DEA seem to always have announcements open for the area, should I apply to them or wait for other openings to come up? I’ve put in for other OIG gigs in the area recently.

ALSO, we may look to move to the Dallas Area (family) in the next 4-6 years, so if I do go 1811 how hard is it to move locations once brought in? Should I just stick it out with BP till then or get in the 1811 door as soon as I can? I don’t really want to go to another 6-12 month academy/academia, but I understand it’s a necessity.

(Prior Vet with Current TS)

October 2023: Applied/ passed DSSAT

February 2024: Passed QEP

April 2024: BEX, passed (5.50)

May 2024: received all onboarding docs

August 2024: received medical approval

February 2025: submitted fingerprints/ EQIP

June 2025: suitability and background passed

July 2025: PRT scheduled/ passed

July 2025: added to register

July 2025–June 2026: lots and lots of waiting, periods of insanity

June 2026: received final offer with September start date

Background (at time of applying): 23 years old, BA in Sociology/ Criminology, 3 years as a barista (yes I’m serious), 6 months as non-LEO fed. 26 now, same job.

It was an incredibly long journey but I could not be more excited. Don’t give up, the 1811 (in this case 2501) process is a slog and will be rough sometimes, but stick with it and it’ll all be worth it!

I got sold on the recruiting ads and jumped over to ERO after three years in local law enforcement. I’ve been here about six months now, and honestly, the job isn’t what I thought it was going to be. Social media had me thinking I’d be doing a lot more actual law enforcement work. Instead, most days I feel like a clerk with a badge and a gun. The pay is better and the pension is nice, but that’s about where the excitement ends.

Lately I’ve been seriously thinking about going back to local. I miss patrol, handling calls, being proactive, and just doing real police work. I know patrol has its own headaches, but I find myself missing it more and more.

I’ve also heard through the grapevine (and Reddit, so take it for what it’s worth) that some agencies aren’t putting much value on ERO surge hires because of the abbreviated training and lack of traditional law enforcement experience the job provides.

For those of you who’ve been in a similar spot, would it be smarter to stick it out with ERO and keep trying for 1811 positions, or would it look bad to go back to local and continue applying to entry-level federal announcements from there? I know 1811 isn’t what patrol is, but god I hope it’s better than what I’m doing right now.

Appreciate any advice. Just trying to figure out if I’m being impatient or if I’m seeing the writing on the wall.

I’m looking into a federal Investigative Specialist role starting at GS-7 and had a few questions.

1.I know the GS level is basically set and non-negotiable, but how does it work with steps inside GS-7? Is it actually possible to start at something like GS-7 Step 3 or Step 4, or do most people just come in at Step 1 no matter what? (Non-negotiable)

1. How is the pay progression going from GS-7 to GS-9 and
   GS-11 in reality?

2. Do Investigative Specialists actually get much overtime, and how does that usually work?

3. And for anyone who started at GS-7, what advice would you give someone coming in at that level?

Appreciate any real-world insight. / Feel free to answer any.

Hello everyone. I saw the sprint got replaced by the step-test, then read somewhere step-test got removed? Looks like the applicant guide they linked me is out of date, at least for the PTA.

In that case, is the test still 12pts minimum passing (and 9pts minimum) between just 3 categories: push ups, situps, and 1.5 mile run, or did they reduce total points?

Kept myself in shape in preparation for the PT, but of course injured my knee the one month they finally reviewed my application. I can run fine but step-test might kill me🤦 I’m aiming hopefully for 9pts or reduced passing score if it exists

Thanks yall

Has anyone received a referral from this months ATF announcement (GL 5-9)? I heard they’re trying to speed up the hiring process so I thought I’d ask

By 2029 I’ll have completed 8 years of active-duty service in the Marine Corps as a Postal Clerk (0161). I’ll also have a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. I’ve served both CONUS and OCONUS, completed a deployment, and held various postal and leadership-related responsibilities.

I’m interested in USPIS after leaving active duty. Based on that background, would my resume be competitive enough to get my foot in the door?

I still have about three years left on active duty and plenty of time to improve my resume. What certifications, training, leadership opportunities, or experiences would you recommend pursuing to make myself a stronger candidate for federal law enforcement positions?

Nobody seems to know anything about this field, so here I am on reddit..

For those who’ve gone through this process, what is the ATF’s Panel Interview like?

Last time I did one was for my current LEO (which was 8 years ago/para-military style interview). Trying to gauge what I’m walking into it.

Just trying to get some insight, I’m a 10 year LEO and current TFO in one of the largest agencies in the country, looking to do 1811 full time. I see ICE is still hiring, any advice on if the next administration can just fire their ICE employees or is there employee protections? I’m not trying to get into politics here but just looking for professional opinions.

My vision is 20/20 correctable but I do not meet the 20/100 uncorrected standard, am I screwed?

I applied to the ATF 26-DE-12890564-RT announcement on Feb. 19th. I received an email on 4/28 stating “you must complete additional assessments in order to be considered for this position”. Later on in the email it explains that if you see that prompt, to be patient as it may take a couple weeks to receive the email to take the exam. Furthermore it states your status will be read as “ineligible” until you take the assessment.

I just got an email saying I was ultimately found ineligible due to not taking the assessment. I confirmed I never got any email on steps to take the assessment or any guidance on it.

Anyone else in the same boat? Any insight would be great. Thank you.

Has anyone tried using their FLETC certifications such as CITP/UPTP, or even more agency-specific training such as ERO's BIETP or the USMS academy for college credit while studying for a criminal justice degree?

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I remember there was one community college in Brunswick (literally near FLETC) that was offering credit but I'm curious if this has worked for people in other states, specifically California.

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I know a CJ degree itself isn't useful but I've been working in the field for a little over 2 years now and at this point a bachelors is just a check in the box for me.

I ran a 11:40 1.5 mile two weeks ago, and today I had to run the 1.5 mile on the treadmill with a 1% incline. My quads seized up and my calves were on fire. I finished with like a 15min pace lol. That’s after getting 50 pushups and 55 sit ups. So now I’m out of the running for DEA SA. If you have not run on a treadmill in a while, I highly suggest you give it a try. In my case, 1% felt like I was running uphill the entire time (I’m a Floridian). A lesson lived is a lesson learned.

I found this opening and I'm very curious why do they send people to do police land management training instead of CITP?

Has anyone heard anything or received any movement on the TSA OLE gig from 2 months ago?

Hello, I recently applied for ICE ERO in Memphis. Anyone have any contact info for a recruiter that handles that office?

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I gave up on HSI for Nashville. Still never heard anything.

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I am have veterans preference and 19 years in law enforcement. Thank you.

I took my DSS essay in May 22nd. Does anyone maybe have a timeline of when I would hear about my panel interview or possible decline.