Advice for a young warrior in training........

[OdieWon]

I need to ask for any advice that can be offered to a young man (my nephew) that wants to grow up to be a federal agent. He is unsure exactly what agency, probably FBI or US Marshals Service or something like that.

This kid is growing up to be a good guy. He's looking for guidance so he can plan his life in advance. This is the kind of kid that has known who he is, what he wants to be since he could speak.

So other than keeping his record as spotless as possible, what would you recommend so far as education etc... that he should pursue during and after high school?

[veritas16]

Do NOT get a degree in criminal justice.

If he wears glasses or contacts, he should check the requirements. They used to be pretty strict, although I think they're more accepting of LASIK, etc. these days.

If he wants to get into the FBI, he should study a language, computer science, engineering, accounting, or some other kind of hard science. Law degrees are a dime a dozen. It will get you in to take the test, and that's about it. Math skills are extremely important for the test. They also require an extremely high degree of physical fitness.

High grades, a foreign language, experience living overseas, and a sociopathic personality are good for the CIA.

[David Benefield]

The best thing to do is figure out which agency he wants to get into and then gear his plans towards that agency. For example, FBI would want an accounting degree, but US Marshals wouldn't necessarily be impressed with that.

Generic suggestions: get into law enforcement ASAP (start as a jailer before becoming 21, if possible), and try to get into a field as similar as the one he's trying to get into at the Fed level. Keep his physical fitness up because nearly every agency has PT requirements. Use every opportunity to get extra training on the job while working law enforcement. Military experience helps. Contact agency recruiters. Try to get an internship with an agency he's interested in.

Above all, be persistent.

[Escape]

Do NOT get a degree in criminal justice.

If he wears glasses or contacts, he should check the requirements. They used to be pretty strict, although I think they're more accepting of LASIK, etc. these days.

If he wants to get into the FBI, he should study a language, computer science, engineering, accounting, or some other kind of hard science. Law degrees are a dime a dozen. It will get you in to take the test, and that's about it. Math skills are extremely important for the test. They also require an extremely high degree of physical fitness.

High grades, a foreign language, experience living overseas, and a sociopathic personality are good for the CIA.

Ditto!! I think WT needs a "like" button:paranoid: Becoming and Eagle Scout wouldn't hurt the cause either.

Escape

[Bandolero]

At present the only way to get on with the USMS is through a college coop type program:

http://www.justice.gov/marshals/careers/deputy_positions.html

[Grey Man]

be a minority and or overweight and if possible a liberal . . . those are the people that I saw get all the jobs when I was trying the whole CJ thing in college . . . I saw friends who had martial arts skills, grew up in inner cities and had straight A's through college and were model students but if you're white then your chances go down big time.

[Bandolero]

"During times of intense conflict, the warriors in a criminal organization tend to rise above the businessmen" - STRATFOR


I feel this is applicable across a wider spectrum of situations.

[hedgedawg]

Depending on his age, check into Explorer Scout program at local law enforcement agengies. This program exposes the scouts to many aspects of enforcement & can get them started on required skill sets. Here, a large number of Explorer Scouts (sheriff's department) go into various law enforcement positions. Lay the foundation as early as possible.

ROTC scholarship to university. After service, veteran's benfits & better possiblity of acceptance into federal (and many state) positions.

+1 on staying away from CJ degrees.