How hard is it to be FBI?

Becoming an FBI Agent is a tremendously difficult and competitive process. It takes years of time, planning, and hard work to mold yourself into the kind of candidate the FBI is looking to hire. It's not going to happen overnight, and the hiring process itself can take a year or longer.

How hard is it to pass the FBI Academy?

FBI Agent Training at Quantico

Before beginning field work, FBI agents must pass through New Agent Training at the FBI Academy. This approximately 20-week course is one of the most difficult training programs law enforcement officials will ever go through, and it will test both physical and mental limits.

Is becoming an FBI agent worth it?

Pros of being an FBI agent

FBI agents typically earn a decent salary and receive a good benefits package. The average salary for a special agent is $71,665 per year . In addition, special agents receive health insurance, long-term care coverage, group life insurance, retirement savings and investment plans.

Is being in the FBI stressful?

Is Being an FBI Agent Stressful? Working as an FBI agent comes with many stressful duties, as does any career in law enforcement. Prospective FBI agents should ensure they have strong stress-management skills and good mental health support.

Is being in the FBI fun?

FBI agents say the job is often exciting, and working on such significant, challenging issues is very rewarding. One of the most significant downsides of working as an FBI agent is so many additional work hours in sometimes very challenging situations.

Want to Become an FBI Agent? Here’s How

Do FBI agents live comfortably?

Ever wonder what it's really like to work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)? Special agents are by no means wealthy, but they earn enough to live comfortably. They also have the opportunity to travel, qualify for promotions and develop their skills.

Do FBI agents go undercover?

Our organized crime investigations frequently use undercover operations, court-authorized electronic surveillance, informants and cooperating witnesses, and consensual monitoring. Many of these are conducted in concert with domestic and international police agencies.

Do FBI agents quit?

Similarly, you should understand the true career path of an FBI special agent; many new special agents routinely quit within the first 2-5 years due to an unrealistic expectation of the organization (fostered by years hollywood fiction).

How do FBI agents dress?

Do FBI agents have a uniform? They frequently wear suits and ties for the majority of their work. They may be dressed casually while making arrests or conducting surveillance. When performing undercover operations, they dress appropriately for the position they are portraying.

Do people fail FBI Academy?

Yes, you can. You can fail out of the Academy and you can fail out two ways. Let me say, that's probably the hardest part of our job is dismissing a student, and not because we're dismissing them.

Can FBI agents talk about their job?

There's only a very small amount of information that an FBI agent would not be able to share with someone. Unless something or someone is under investigation, we can usually talk about what were working on or have worked on in the past.

Do you get paid while in the FBI Academy?

While attending the academy, the base trainee rate remains at the GL-10, step 1 level, which is ​$52,440​ per year as of 2021. In addition to the base salary, special agents training and working in the expensive Washington, D.C area receive locality pay.

Are tattoos allowed in FBI?

Kellie: Yeah, they are allowed. Now I would suggest that if you're looking to get a tattoo, be very judicious in where you place it, just because the image of the Academy in the FBI is extremely important. So just be judicious in your placement of your tattoo. Stephanie: Okay.

Are FBI agents allowed to date each other?

He states: 'According to Edward Boudt, Principal Legal Advisor for the Cincinnati branch of the FBI, any agent can date whomever they choose, no matter whether the other person is another agent, a supervisor, or any of the support personnel (clerks, paralegal).

Do FBI agents have to shave?

General FBI grooming and hygiene standards are codified, unless otherwise as specified for a duty or position, post-training, as: Clean shaven through training, clean mustaches permitted afterwards. Jewelry and piercings must be small, simple, and not pose a safety risk.

What are the disadvantages of being a FBI agent?

Due to the nature of the work, and the general high-stress that goes with being in law enforcement, FBI agents may experience stress-related health issues such as depression, anxiety, heart problems, digestive problems, chronic pain, sleep difficulties and poor nutrition.

Do FBI agents choose where they live?

FBI agents work all over the country and, in some cases, all over the world. While you'll start in the same place as just about everyone else, in Quantico, Virginia, the FBI frequently ends up sending you where it needs you.

Is the FBI watching me?

That said, the FBI is most likely not spying on you through your webcam. "As a society, we should be concerned about the increasing amount of surveillance and loss of privacy that we're experiencing," she notes.

Can FBI agents have social media?

While there are no specific regulations prohibiting an FBI agent from having an active Facebook account, social media can directly impact the results of a comprehensive background investigation.

How do I join the FBI?

Can FBI agents drink alcohol?

All federal government agencies have strict drug-free workplace policies and the FBI is no different. But the policy against drug use doesn't address alcohol use. That said, the FBI probably won't tolerate excessive drinking within its ranks because of the problems that can arise.

Can FBI agents have dyed hair?

Hair must be of reasonable length without faddish or exaggerated style or color.

Does the FBI offer scholarships?

The J. Edgar Hoover Foundation has awarded many scholarships to the sons and daughters of special agents of the FBI, as well as state and local law enforcement officers. The Foundation continues to support scholarships annually.