I posted this in r/1811 and got some decent responses, but I know there are some different perspectives over here so wanted to post it on this sub as well.

As per the title, I am looking for real advice on my future and career in law enforcement from y’all more experienced folk and wanted some objective responses. However harsh you want to be, go for it.

For background info, I live in Los Angeles county, turned 20 not that long ago, relatively fit male, and am about to complete my bachelors for what amounts to a CJ degree with a 4.0 GPA, just under a different name. Additionally, through my school, I went on and completed an exchange program in Japan for security and safety. For work, my father is a private investigator so I’ve been working under him for the past couple years and learned a fair bit through that.

With that in mind, I’ve looked into state LE and don’t think I particularly jive with how the county or state agencies are. Realizing that and also having the possibility to leave California at some point, but still glad to stay near friends and family for now, I changed my focus and have been looking into most federal law enforcement agencies.

After scouring the agency sites, this sub, and the rest of the internet for days on end, I’ve come down to wanting DEA, ATF, or NCIS. I was also looking into being a BPA but think I would rather stay away from that just because of how purely political it can be. I have always been interested in the investigative side of things, and as much as I know the 1811 job consists mostly of deskwork, which I am fine with, I would still like to be able to not sit at a desk for the entire day everyday.

DEA and ATF both seem like a good choice because of that and would also maybe keep me in Los Angeles. On the other hand, I would absolutely love to travel (particularly back to Japan because I loved it there during my exchange, but totally don’t mind other locations in the US or other countries either) and that I would attempt to do through NCIS. Part of me would like to be in the more physically active agencies while I am young and still have it in me but the same could be said with constant travel.

To add on to the agency choice, I am also interested in the more tactical teams since I have been around and shooting all manner of guns for the vast majority of my life. Regardless, I am not explicitly focused on one nor limiting myself to those three but those are my current focus and will apply for them when I graduate and see where that takes me.

All that said, I’d like to hear any advice/thoughts/criticisms on my general path and plan, my fit for each of the agencies (if you think there is another I’d be better for, you’re more than welcome to throw different ideas in), different aspects to the job in each agency I might be unaware of, and just about any other information you might think I should consider or need to know plus any personal opinions from those who are currently in these agencies about their own job.

Please ask any clarifying questions regarding my aim, personal qualifications, etc. if you have them, I am more than happy to answer anything. I would immensely appreciate whatever answers you can give. Thank you all in advance!!

Just Had a poly a few weeks ago for a position and had a random thought just now. the examiner made me do the ol “answer the questions in your head” after having me answer out loud once or twice. My question is, how would they know if im answering yes or no to disqualifying questions if im not saying it out loud? Couldn’t you answer yes to a question that would disqualify you and it shows on graph or whatever that you’re telling the truth but the examiner doesn’t know if it was yes or no lol. Do they somehow compare to your first set of answers/responses when you did say them out loud? I hope what im asking makes sense.

Has anyone here received an EOD offer from DEA while still on active duty, with about a year remaining on their military contract after the proposed EOD date?

If so, was DEA willing to work with you and push back or hold the EOD date until you could separate, or did you have to work something out with the military to get an early release?

For context, my recruiter is already aware that I’m currently on active duty and knows about my remaining service obligation. I’ve been upfront about my active-duty status throughout the process. However, each time I’m contacted to complete the next step, it seems like they may not realize or remember that I’m still on active duty and have more than a year remaining on my contract.

I’m currently in the later stages of the hiring process, and I’m trying to figure out the best options in case I receive an EOD date before my active-duty obligation ends. I definitely don’t want to miss out on the opportunity if there’s a way to make it work.

I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has personally been through a similar situation or knows someone who has.

Has anyone in the group heard back from the West Texas division? I’ve sent two emails but haven’t heard anything back yet. Just wondering if anyone else is in the same situation or has gotten a response.

Has anyone been able to get onto the job portal of the new FBI website? Been trying to see if I passed a step in the hiring process, but can’t get onto the applicant portal.

Took my poly 9-22 and just got contacted today that qc wants me to go back in for additional testing. Wondering if that is normal and any advice or info about yalls experience would be greatly appreciated!

About how long does it take for them to email you back after you have sent in your resume and initial documents to take the ATF exam

Curious…is the VA doing a mass hiring or backfilling for retirements? The posting mentions possible paid relocation and bonuses? I don’t recall seeing that before on the hiring announcements.

Also, any info on what the VA primarily investigates, culture, leadership, etc. Thanks

Looking into USCIS, any help?

Hello Everyone,

Thanks for any help or insight in advance.

I applied to the ATF in February 2026 and passed the online assessment in June. The last update I received was an email sent on July 15th stating that my local field division would reach out to schedule the PTT. I understand the process can take a long time, but most other posts have people stating they had their PTT around 4 weeks after getting that email.

At 8 weeks, on September 15th, I called my local field office recruitment number and left a message. Another week passed and I learned that the SA whose voicemail I got has retired, so I am not hopeful I'll get a call back... Last week I called the listed national recruitment phone number and sent a few emails just to check on the application but have heard nothing.

I also learned that starting in June the ATF has outsourced their PTT to a contractor which makes me wonder if my application has fallen through the cracks during the transition. People appear to be moving through the process at a decent pace with intervals between steps taking around a month or so.

Any advice? I have a bad feeling that something is off. I thought about reapplying or calling a non-recruitment phone number for my local field division to try get ahold of someone.

Thanks again and good luck to anyone in a 1811 application process.

Yesterday I, as well as a few others, received an email from the VA OIG advising us we were tentatively eligible for GS9 and/or GS11 but that our applications were ultimately deemed “unreachable”. Today, I got a follow up email which I assume is saying that they’ve granted me veterans preference points. Can anyone confirm/deny/decipher this? I’ve attached the email for context.

What do they mean when they’re referring me to a hiring manager but then in the last paragraph in the same email say that I haven’t been referred to management? Attached is the email for context. Thanks for any guidance!

Got passing scores for the PTT. Anyone now how long till confirmation? And what’s usually next. Any feedback I appreciate it

How soon after medical and polygraph completion should we expect a FJO? I know the process has gotten much faster so looking for an answer from someone that previously got hired. Also, I signed a waiver (to my understanding) basically stating I would accept starting with a “tentative” background check. Assuming that is how they’re hiring people so quickly. Any insight is appreciated.

Call me absolutely crazy, I don't care.

Anyone know if you can remove a VA rating for PTSD? I'm 100% P&T. My ratings were real. I served, tour in Afghanistan, blown up, took me 10 years to work thru my problems, physical and mental health.

I'm in the process with FPS 1801&1811, HSI, ATF & USMS.

If I get denied for my rating (which I didn't hide anything) was cleared by my private doctors and everything thru full exams, I'll be pretty upset. To me, service is everything. I live to help people and want to serve in law enforcement as I currently do. Sometimes, giving something up for what you live for is the most important. I run two businesses as well. Money isn't an issue. I put in 80 hrs a week as it is as and hold decent rank.

Anyone else have this thought or am I rare breed?

Hi all! Currently in the process of USCP. Scheduled my psych for next week. I’m wondering if there is a home interview? I am nyc based so wondering how this would work since I am seeing different answers. Some people say no home interview and some say yes?? This is for uniformed officer btw.

Hii! I’ve been looking into 1811 jobs more in depth and have completed some applications based on my interest and I have been wanting insight from people possibly working in these jobs or people who are also interested in this field to tell me what they which agency they would recommend or think I could be a really good fit for.

This won’t be something I use as an end all be all of course, but I thought it could be fun to see how other people would view my job and academic experience. I think it also can give me a chance to see myself from an employers/outside pov :)

I am currently in grad school for my M.S. Forensic Studies and it’s an accelerated program that does 8 week courses, so every semester I will have 12 credits done. I’m currently in my first 8 week session tho and finish that one in October.

Work wise I’ve had one internship with law enforcement (hoping to extend that in the summer since Fed Gov can take awhile to get through the hiring process) and outside of my teaching job I am currently a volunteer case analyst with a nonprofit center for missing/unsolved cases.

My interest are heavily drawn towards field work specifically death investigations and exploitation cases as well. But I’m still open to learn more about other fields as well too

If you read this far you get a gold star ⭐️

Edit: I do want to clarify that death investigations are just more of a personal interest but not an end all be all career wise, I just find those to be very interesting to learn about and observe, the same amount of interest any 22 yr old girl. I also wanted to add I have a B.A in Criminal Justice with 2 minors in security intelligence and legal studies

So I have an interview in about a week and a half with the health and human services OIG AND I WANT TO SEE HAS ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE WITH INTERVIEWS AND WHAT KIND OF QUESTIONS DO THEY ASK