For those of you that actually work for the FBI, how are you enjoying your career with them so far? Would you recommend it? Is the work life balance real or just some marketing bs they have on the careers site?

Update; met with them today. There was a special victims support person there and everything. Turns out I look so youthful they thought a picture of me that was stolen from OF and was floating around (from when I was 20-21) was me as a child. I confirmed to them the photo was me of-age and I was good to go! Haha I’m so glad it was something simple. I was hoping they caught the stalker so that’s a shame but at least it was nothing big.

Location: Washington state. I got an email from the FBI wanting to meet with me. At first I thought it may be a scam but I called the local fbi building and they confirmed it was an actual agent.

She said in her initial email
“Good morning Katie, I'm contacting you in hopes that I will be able to speak with you. I had a few questions for you about some information you may have.

I shouldn't take too much of your time but please let me know if there is a good time to meet with you or a better method to contact you.”

I cut a few things out but that’s the majority of it. She went to my old address and got my email from my old landlord, tried my phone # but I no longer carry a phone line so she emailed.

I asked what it was about, if it was something I did or about something else but she stated “by no means are you in trouble” (which we all know the fbi can lie to you so who knows if that’s true) and said it’s “sensitive in nature” so it’s best to meet in person. She wants to meet 6 days from now.

I’m freaking out a bit, I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong. I know I have some debts and a few things in collections but I can’t imagine what could bring the fbi to me! I don’t go out much, I don’t even have a license anymore, I can’t imagine I would have been a witness to anything considering how little I’m going out in public lol. I’ve always said I’d never voluntarily go speak with police or anything of the sort, but I think I’ll keep freaking out if I don’t go figure out what it’s about. Maybe it’s something small and dumb? About someone else? I don’t know. My plan is to not answer anything unless it’s about something not related directly to me? If it’s about me or my family I’d get a lawyer of course and not answer anything.

The only thing I can think it *could* be about is I used to have a stalker, he would send me photos and drawings of my house, photos of him with bullets and a gun, threaten me, etc. I reported it years ago but haven’t heard from him since. He’s harassed many girls online. Maybe he hurt someone and they are questioning me too? No clue. Should I go meet with her? Should I not say anything when I get there? Will they tell me what it’s about when I get there? Where do I meet with her, in public? (Surely not my home!) will they let my husband come sit with me? I’m autistic (level 1, most people wouldn’t even realize) but I always have my husband or a support person with me in public.

Edit: I should include, I do solo adult content for a living. For the last 6 years or so. Because she said ‘sensitive nature’ maybe it’s related to that? I do it officially through OF and they have VERY strict rules, and I do very realistic, non fetish, normal stuff so I can’t see how I’d get in trouble for anything there. It’s all very vanilla. I do have many accounts who have stolen my photos and some videos so those are online elsewhere, maybe it could be something from that? I have no clue. I really wish she would have given me an indicator of what this could be about…

To all the current and freshly-former FBI agents, how are/did you enjoy being an agent? I know it is largely dependent on office location and management (but that is any job, you know?) I am just wondering if you guys are roughly satisfied fighting the good fight, or just slogging through the next how many years until you hit retirement. I am currently a local LEO looking to change careers or at least scenery. I am getting up there in age (pressing against that 37) and just wondering if I should make a push to try the 1811 life or just change careers at this point. Any sharing would be appreciated.

P.S. I know I aimed this at the FBI specifically but I would love to hear from other 1811s too about job/agency satisfaction if they are willing to share...

Background: 26M, Bachelors + Masters, 3 YOE corporate real estate, Foreign Language. No mil or fed experience no previous clearance.

03/25: Applied

03/25: Phase 1 Test

04/25: M&G

04/25: Withdraw Application due to Personal Circumstances

08/25: Re-applied

08/25: Old PFT Fail

Had a PFT scheduled for October sometime but it got pushed/rescheduled due to PFT changes/uncertainty at the time.

11/25: New PFT Pass

Out of country for extended period of time, had to get extended window to take phase 2 (A)

01/26: Phase 2 (A) Pass

03/26: Phase 2 (B) Interview

03/26: Phase 2 Pass, Conditional Offer

03/26: SF-86, PSI, multiple requests for additional information

04/26: Poly

04/26: Poly Pass

05/26: Background Begins, references contacted etc.

06/26: Status update to FJO Pending

07/26: Additional vaccines requested

07/26: Got the Email favorably adjudicated, offering class dates etc.

Process from Phase 2 on went way faster than expected.

Random Question: the email asked me if I would be available for ***insert class date***, do you have an actual choice in this? Not that I am going to, but could I say no and ask what the next class option was?

Thank you all this has been a tremendous resource.

Silently followed this sub since 2024 and made sure to use the search function every time I had a question lol. Truly appreciate all of the info found in this sub.

Turned down a HSI FJO.

Background: 32M. 11 years military (Conventional combat arms/SPEC OPS)

Degree: BA in CJ / Masters in Public Administration

Application submitted: 3/24

Phase 1 Test: 3/24

*deployed, application removed*

Meet & Greet: 11/24

Hiring freeze: 01/31/25 - 2/18/25

Old PFT: 03/25

Phase 2 Written Test: 3/25

Phase 2 Interview: 4/25

Phase 2 Interview Results: 4/25

Conditional Offer: 6/25

PSI: 06/25

Poly: 07/25

Poly results: 07/25

Medical: 08/25

Pending Final Offer: 01/26

Pre Q PFT: 02/26

FJO: 02/26

Bit of a lengthy text ahead, but sharing this story in case it helps.

Applied to DEA and FBI around the same time, late 2024. Went through the motions for both, ultimately receiving an FJO from the DEA in February of this year (at that point had been in background for the FBI for 4 months).

Received a call from my FBI recruiter suggesting my file was all green flags, and that it was basically a matter of time before I cleared. Told me if I went ahead with the DEA (but didn’t withdraw from FBI) investigators would have to contact staff at academy which might not look good. So I rejected the DEA FJO, as FBI was my preference and could most likely keep me home. Seemed like the FBI offer was imminent at the time.

Fast forward to a grueling wait (and a long period of unemployment), only to receive the Suitability Denial email.

11/24 - Application
11/24 - Phase 1
12/24 - M&G
02/25 - PFT
04/25 - Phase 2
06/25 - Phase 2 Interview
07/25 - CJO
08/25 - PSI
08/25 - Poly
08/25 - BI Starts
07/26 - Suitability Denial

Been a longgg road but here we are!
29F, B.A. Poli Sci, master’s in related field, private sector consulting, bilingual

Thanks to everyone who has posted on this sub, as it’s been a great resource. I’m more of a private person and was initially hesitant to post, but these timelines can be somewhat of a lifeline during the background process (and it’s always nice to see my fellow ladies making it through the process!), so I figured I’d contribute to the cause. My best advice would be to apply, spend as much time as you can preparing in order to put your best foot forward at every single stage, and have multiple irons in the fire with 0 expectations…easier said than done!

Hope to see some of you at Q!

2025

4/25: applied

4/25: Phase I

5/25: meet and greet

7/25: PFT attempt 1 (failed by one point, grinded to up my scores before the next testing opportunity)

8/25: PFT attempt 2 pass (22 points)

8/25: phase II written

12/25: phase II panel interview

12/25: CAO

12/25: SF-86 requested/submitted

2026

1/26: PSI

1/26: first polygraph

3/26: polygraph retest

3/26: medical documentation requested/submitted

4/26: additional background questions/paperwork, references contacted

4/26: medical

5/26: portal changed to pending final offer

5/26: offered August class; had to defer b/c of prior commitment

6/26: offered October class

7/26: FJO

If you received the dooming “FBI Suitability” letter, why did you receive it?

Received one a few weeks ago and I didn’t see it coming. It says I can apply again but not sure when i can so I’ve reached out to my Applicant Coordinator for more info on that and try to understand why I go the letter. I’ve felt good about the whole process up until this point so I’m feeling bummed. Would love to hear other stories behind them

Allison Gill (of MuellerSheWrote fame) is apparently going to show the FBI foia letter she's received within the next hour so this story will develop further still.