How to Become a Secret Service Agent

Author: admin, September 9th, 2009

The primary job of a United States Secret Service Agent is to protect the currency of the country from counterfeiting. All Secret Service agents are members of the United States Treasury Department. These agents are known best for protection the president, vice president and the families of both. The training that they must go through is rather intense and only the highest qualified applicants actually make the grade.

In order to qualify to become a Secret Service agent you must be a citizen of the United States of America under the age of 37. You are required to have no less than 20/40 vision that can be corrected effectively to 20/20. In addition, you will benefit from a Bachelor’s Degree no matter your major. You should have electives in subjects such as criminology, criminal justice, law enforcement, pre-law and police science.

You will need to get in touch with the office of the local United States Secret Service office in order to obtain an application. If you are not sure how to find the office closest to you, then simply visit the United States Secret Service Field Offices online to get a list of all of the offices across the country. You should expect to be subjected to an investigation into your background once you have submitted an application.

You will also need to pass a polygraph test, a written exam and a drug test in order to become a Secret Service agent. If your application is accepted, you will then be required to complete eight weeks of investigative training. In addition, you will also have to complete nine weeks of tests and courses for special agents, including training with firearms.

Once you have been through all of the training and completed all of the required courses, you will then be given a field assignment. The first field assignments you receive will simply be extended on-the-job training. Hang in there for at least one year and you stand a chance of receiving a recommendation to become a permanent full-time agent in the Secret Service.

Becoming a Secret Service agent requires a great deal of self-discipline. If you have a tough guy attitude, you will only end up the fool. Learn how to shine your shoes and keep up a regular fitness routine. With adequate discipline and the right frame of mind, you will go far not just as an agent in the Secret Service, but in life as well.

The process of getting into the Secret Service is a rigorous task. However, if you set realistic goals for yourself and stay focused, you will be able to understand what needs to be done to fulfill your dream of becoming a Secret Service agent.

Remember to carry yourself for the job that you want. If you can see yourself as an agent, you will exude confidence. Your passion for the job will be obvious in all that you do and you should have no problem at all advancing in the agency.

Dena White blogs about various job issues in the criminal justice field, including how to study to obtain a degree from forensic science schools.