Does Fed LEO get SCRA protection?

[sg6969]

I'm retired fed LE and I don't remember any benefits like the gov't reimbursing you for leases broken. You might talk with your landlord and try to work something out.
If you're close to your 37th birthday, take anything you can to get appointed and sworn in. Your FLECTC date may not happen immediately, but at least you're in the system. You can lateral to another agency once you get appointed and sworn with one. After 37, you're not in a good place.
As a rule, don't expect a lot of fabulous benefits from federal LE service. FLETC, however, is fun as long as you are't there in the summer.

And don't forget the FLETC Chicken!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[caliprep]

I've been to both Brunswick/Glynco and Artesia.

Both have it's good and bad.

Glynco you got bugs/sand gnats/sand fleas, allergies, humidity, and heat unless you go during winter then you get cold and frost but that warms up to normal temps. Bad tasting water also. It's hard water there. Paper Mill gives the place a special scent during the times it is in use. The local girls will throw themselves at you because that is an exit from there. When I was there our class coordinator/ Health Unit warned our class that Brunswick the town has a very high incidence of STD's. So watch out. If you go to Glynco eats lots of garlic or take garlic pills the bugs hate that it comes out your pores.

Artesia you have heat, sand storms, wind, dry desert heat, dust storms, bad water also. Not so bad on humidity. Hard water also. Smells a bit because Artesia used to be an oil refinery town. There is still the plant there. It's close to nothing really. If you go there try your best to bring a car. I drove from the SF Bay Area there and enjoyed myself by visiting places. The local girls are nice but Artesia is an impoverished area. So you will be able to meet someone but know you would be the plane ticket out of there for them.

The staffs at both places are very professional and provide good training depending who the training staff is. Many instructors there are detailed from their agencies. Some are staff.

I was detailed staff from my location to the FLETC's. Taught at both locations. Each has it own unique quirks.

Yessir, been to Glynco and Charleston, twice each.
Out of the three, Charleston FLETC was the best.

[mossy]

And don't forget the FLETC Chicken!!!!!!!!!!!!!

fried chicken Tuesdays!

[kw91364]

Also remember that federal “law enforcement” covers a very large arena of sorts when it comes to FLETC and LE authority. On one end you have BoP folks whose basic training is only three weeks and have VERY limited LE authority and on the other end you have most 1811’s (Special Agents) who are there for months, CITP and then their agency add-on, with broad LE authority. In between you have a mix of folks from CBP, USSS U/D, Capitol Police, NPS Rangers, BLM Rangers, USFS LE and host of other federal LE (side note: NR LE from BLM and USFS have some really nice equipment. Too bad they dont go up to GS-13 non supervisory).

The chow hall is an interesting place. You will see some folks that are so overweight and tatted up that make you wonder who they work for. Hint, it’s obvious. The food is decent, actually great grilled cheese sandwiches. Steak night though will leave you disappointed. The ice cream is free like the food and unlimited.

The point I’m making is to hold out for an 1811/Special Agent job, regardless of agency. You will be glad you did for countless reasons (GS-13 pay within less than five years, agency authorized 24/7 carry - not just LEOSA, take home car, able to fly armed off-duty, no uniform, investigation types, significant interaction with other LE agencies, you name it.).

[Hornetsnest]

Funny you mention this because there's been rumor the 1801 job I applied for had some of them deploy to the border instead of their regular duties. This was last year however when the border incidents peaked. Not sure how this is now but wouldn't be surprised.

Its not a rumor and some are still TDY to the border to this day and beyond.

[Hornetsnest]

The point I?m making is to hold out for an 1811/Special Agent job, regardless of agency. You will be glad you did for countless reasons (GS-13 pay within less than five years, agency authorized 24/7 carry - not just LEOSA, take home car, able to fly armed off-duty, no uniform, investigation types, significant interaction with other LE agencies, you name it.).

Not knocking this advice because it is solid. However, the strategy of "holding out for an 1811 position" really depends on your current professional and personal/family situation. I understand if your ultimate goal is to be an 1811 and wanting to avoid unnecessary multiple months staying at FLETC, but it may not be the best advice for everyone.

[Romeo_alpha01]

Did you get hired with FAMs? Thats the only 1801 series that attends Artesia from what I know.

OFO = Office of Field Operations and they're the ones stationed in all ports of entries. And no, they do not require a degree.

General rule of thumb for getting into federal law enforcement....Whether its 1801, 0083, or 1811 (criminal investigators), make sure its 6c covered. I'd stray away from the DoD/VA police gigs, as they're not covered and only go up to a certain GS level...Usually 8 and below.

I put in for the OFO position right before they closed the announcement, so we'll see what happens.

You are correct on the 1801 position, but I have to do the STAR interview, ASAC interview, and PT test first before I get any sort of COE.

As far as the 0083 position, it's not 6c covered but it was my backup in case I don't make the age cutoff for the 1801, which is coming in really quickly. The 0083 position I applied for has no age limit.

Hopefully I qualify enough for an age exception as I have no VP or LEO experience. Either way whether I make it through the process or not I want to see how far I can get.

[Romeo_alpha01]

Not knocking this advice because it is solid. However, the strategy of "holding out for an 1811 position" really depends on your current professional and personal/family situation. I understand if your ultimate goal is to be an 1811 and wanting to avoid unnecessary multiple months staying at FLETC, but it may not be the best advice for everyone.

I wouldn't mind transferring into an 1811 position later on down the line if it is suitable for me. Frankly the 1801 position was more appealing to me primarily because of the marksmanship training involved, the travel being secondary. And because I'm single with no children it seemed to coincide with the schedule demand.

[caliprep]

I put in for the OFO position right before they closed the announcement, so we'll see what happens.

You are correct on the 1801 position, but I have to do the STAR interview, ASAC interview, and PT test first before I get any sort of COE.

As far as the 0083 position, it's not 6c covered but it was my backup in case I don't make the age cutoff for the 1801, which is coming in really quickly. The 0083 position I applied for has no age limit.

Hopefully I qualify enough for an age exception as I have no VP or LEO experience. Either way whether I make it through the process or not I want to see how far I can get.

Well, again it depends on the 0083 position. If you want a super comfortable/safe gig that doesn't have to deal with the public much, while still being able to carry a gun and a badge, then the DoD/VA gigs aren't bad (but keep in mind, the DoD police are required to take a physical test annually, and their LEOSA privileges' are determined by their respective base commander.) It also doesn't stop the clock in case you want to transfer to a covered position down the road..

FAMs is a pretty good gig to get in, but I wouldn't suggest staying in that agency long term.

The point I?m making is to hold out for an 1811/Special Agent job, regardless of agency. You will be glad you did for countless reasons (GS-13 pay within less than five years, agency authorized 24/7 carry - not just LEOSA, take home car, able to fly armed off-duty, no uniform, investigation types, significant interaction with other LE agencies, you name it.).

Nailed it.

[Romeo_alpha01]

It also doesn't stop the clock in case you want to transfer to a covered position down the road..

FAMs is a pretty good gig to get in, but I wouldn't suggest staying in that agency long term.

According to this document, there are exceptions that could be made to the maximum age requirement provided

https://www.justice.gov/jmd/page/file/1446196/download

See pages 6-7.

From your experience do you think the likelihood of an exemption is possible in today's law enforcement climate? From what I can tell the pattern of me getting any sort of update in the hiring process seems to be almost every other month. At that rate I would be past my 37th, unless DHS consolidates my medical and poly in one sitting.

Also, why do you believe that FAMs is not sustainable long term? Aside from the low morale and sporadic scheduling, is there anything in your opinion that is lacking within that agency?

[mossy]

Also, why do you believe that FAMs is not sustainable long term? Aside from the low morale and sporadic scheduling, is there anything in your opinion that is lacking within that agency?

The issue I have with the FAMs is that there almost no mobility within the agency. Federal air marshals are a small part of the TSA and, to my knowledge, the only TSA employees that are law enforcement positions. Even the explosive specialists who come out of the various caves in airports to clear alarms on positive tests, do their thing during the screening of known/ suspected terrorists, And run localized checkpoint tests/audits are not law enforcement positions. Unless you are going into a supervisory position within the FAMs, there is nowhere else to go.

I think they might have fixed it, but USA jobs still has TSA on that f***ed up SV band bull spit. I am still a member on some TSA Facebook groups and I thought I read something recently about them finally getting on the GS but USA jobs are still listing positions on the SV pay band system.

[Romeo_alpha01]

The issue I have with the FAMs is that there almost no mobility within the agency. Federal air marshals are a small part of the TSA and, to my knowledge, the only TSA employees that are law enforcement positions. Even the explosive specialists who come out of the various caves in airports to clear alarms on positive tests, do their thing during the screening of known/ suspected terrorists, And run localized checkpoint tests/audits are not law enforcement positions. Unless you are going into a supervisory position within the FAMs, there is nowhere else to go.

I think they might have fixed it, but USA jobs still has TSA on that f***ed up SV band bull spit. I am still a member on some TSA Facebook groups and I thought I read something recently about them finally getting on the GS but USA jobs are still listing positions on the SV pay band system.

AFAIK, FAMs will be transitioning to the GS pay band soon. Looks like a lot of things have changed, such as finally getting LEAP, which in some instances eclipses what a CBP officer gets before locality pay.

I definitely know about the lack of mobility within FAMs, as most of the FAMs I've met usually ended up becoming 1811s at another agency.

[caliprep]

AFAIK, FAMs will be transitioning to the GS pay band soon. Looks like a lot of things have changed, such as finally getting LEAP, which in some instances eclipses what a CBP officer gets before locality pay.

I definitely know about the lack of mobility within FAMs, as most of the FAMs I've met usually ended up becoming 1811s at another agency.

I think there are financial opportunities in both professions, however OFO has everyone beat with their double time pay (as far as feds go.) Also the OFO guys can lateral over to almost any uniformed 0083 position and can lateral directly to ICE ERO.

However...It's important to note that neither journeyman can surpass the 180K mark without obtaining some kind of waiver..

[hey_scooter]

Raising this thread from the dead to say Foreign Service DSS agents enjoy certain provisions (but not all) of the SCRA via the Foreign Service Families Act that was brought within the NDAA. This includes lease protection as well as phone service contracts.

[caliprep]

Raising this thread from the dead to say Foreign Service DSS agents enjoy certain provisions (but not all) of the SCRA via the Foreign Service Families Act that was brought within the NDAA. This includes lease protection as well as phone service contracts.

That's awesome for the Department of State guys and well deserved. However, the SCRA only applies to active service members of the armed forces. Why anyone would think a federal civilian employee would receive the same benefits is a bit baffling.