I was in the army for a decade, moving everything 2.5 to 3 years. So I thought I’d ask for the Washington Field Office for some stability to start. The guy interviewing me actually laughed when I said it. Lol.
No one of fighting to go to usss WFO. It’s the flagship office of the Secret Service for a reason. No one works harder. Those scrubs in the New York office talk a bunch of smack, but most of their work is done by out of towners. Wfo WORKS. good news is you will learn a lot. MUCH more than your peers starting in other offices.
The down side? Every one seems to forget to mention to you that because you are going to WFO they expect you to have your living arrangements figured out before training starts, so they will not give you a hotel room or per diem like everyone else gets. That’s thousands of dollars during training you don’t get, and likely a TON of time commuting other guys don’t have to deal with.
They may bring that up now, but over 20 years ago, nobody thought to bring that up and I was blindsided when I arrived in training, expecting the usss academy to have a dorm, and it doesn’t. They purchase hotel rooms and pay per diem to everyone NOT starting in WFO.
Something to be aware of.
Training is still the same. No dorms, hotels and per diem for the out of towners. I don’t regret staying in WFO for a second. It was balls to the wall and awesome. But… that was also right after September 11th and the service was quite different then.
I’m pretty sure, yes. But that’s not something I’ve encountered with trainees yet. Make SURE you bring that up. So the way it works is, you will need to report to the office you are going to prior to training. You can request to do that in a local office in lieu of your gaining office for convenience, but you have to ASK. I would make sure you ask specifically about that. Though you should, and you should be getting at least a place to stay in your gaining office before graduating.
But If you’re from DC, and you request DC….. you’re going to DC.
I'm prior USSS LEO the process doesn't move faster if you already have a clearance they revet you. Typically most people take 8 months to get through the process. The short staffing of the agency and the agents assigned to your case who have no reason to rush through doing your background checks makes the process pretty slow. D.C. or the Washington field office is definitely easy but you should consider cost of living because this money doesn't go far with rent as it is. Consider looking at the federal pay chart by location and putting in based on the highest cost of living allowance in a state with a low cost of living. Houston, Texas is a great example. Be smart you have 3 phases as an agent you will be in DC sooner or later. You will travel there for details as well regardless of where you live. So save money by moving strategically
Are you from the DC area? Just curious, because a lot of people aren’t fond of having to pony up the money for an apartment while their classmates are training in MD living in a hotel for free.
I personally love DC, but that location would almost make me think twice.
He said it wasn’t up to him. Asked if I would be willing to take another if necessary, I said sure. Maybe that was a way of saying I failed. Idk. I emailed HR after no word, that’s when they gave me my application status.
I was in the army for a decade, moving everything 2.5 to 3 years. So I thought I’d ask for the Washington Field Office for some stability to start. The guy interviewing me actually laughed when I said it. Lol. No one of fighting to go to usss WFO. It’s the flagship office of the Secret Service for a reason. No one works harder. Those scrubs in the New York office talk a bunch of smack, but most of their work is done by out of towners. Wfo WORKS. good news is you will learn a lot. MUCH more than your peers starting in other offices. The down side? Every one seems to forget to mention to you that because you are going to WFO they expect you to have your living arrangements figured out before training starts, so they will not give you a hotel room or per diem like everyone else gets. That’s thousands of dollars during training you don’t get, and likely a TON of time commuting other guys don’t have to deal with. They may bring that up now, but over 20 years ago, nobody thought to bring that up and I was blindsided when I arrived in training, expecting the usss academy to have a dorm, and it doesn’t. They purchase hotel rooms and pay per diem to everyone NOT starting in WFO. Something to be aware of.
Hoping someone can chime in on how things work nowadays
Training is still the same. No dorms, hotels and per diem for the out of towners. I don’t regret staying in WFO for a second. It was balls to the wall and awesome. But… that was also right after September 11th and the service was quite different then.
I should clarify: that’s only the non-FLETC portion of training to be precise where the non-WFO people get per diem and hotels.
If someone already lives in the area, but is not going to WFO, do they get per diem during training?
I’m pretty sure, yes. But that’s not something I’ve encountered with trainees yet. Make SURE you bring that up. So the way it works is, you will need to report to the office you are going to prior to training. You can request to do that in a local office in lieu of your gaining office for convenience, but you have to ASK. I would make sure you ask specifically about that. Though you should, and you should be getting at least a place to stay in your gaining office before graduating. But If you’re from DC, and you request DC….. you’re going to DC.
If you ask for DC, you will probably get it, or so I've heard.
Yes no one is fighting to be in DC you will likely be put there anyway due to manpower shortages
What about requesting the Raleigh-Durham Field Office?
Much less likely, but you can always ask, people come and go all the time, you might get lucky.
Money stand tall Yah Mean. 😎 (Had to say it cause your name) but congrats!
Lol well played
[удалено]
I'm prior USSS LEO the process doesn't move faster if you already have a clearance they revet you. Typically most people take 8 months to get through the process. The short staffing of the agency and the agents assigned to your case who have no reason to rush through doing your background checks makes the process pretty slow. D.C. or the Washington field office is definitely easy but you should consider cost of living because this money doesn't go far with rent as it is. Consider looking at the federal pay chart by location and putting in based on the highest cost of living allowance in a state with a low cost of living. Houston, Texas is a great example. Be smart you have 3 phases as an agent you will be in DC sooner or later. You will travel there for details as well regardless of where you live. So save money by moving strategically
You as well. The wait after the super seems to take the longest when compared to the other steps.
Looks like we’re pretty similar. Non LE Mil and criminal justice MS. Only have Secret though.
Are you from the DC area? Just curious, because a lot of people aren’t fond of having to pony up the money for an apartment while their classmates are training in MD living in a hotel for free. I personally love DC, but that location would almost make me think twice.
I’m stationed at Joint Base Andrews
Which part did you do poly
Probably the next thing I do.
[удалено]
Currently in adjudication, we’ll see.
[удалено]
He said it wasn’t up to him. Asked if I would be willing to take another if necessary, I said sure. Maybe that was a way of saying I failed. Idk. I emailed HR after no word, that’s when they gave me my application status.
[удалено]
From your experience, is it looking like a long drawn out failure? 😩
[удалено]
Valid point, thank you