As President Joseph R. Biden Jr. settles into his tenure as commander and chief of the United States, we gave thought to those who will be charged with keeping he and his family safe. Protection of the nation’s highest elected leaders and other government officials is one of the primary missions of the Secret Service.
Sounds exciting. So, how does someone become a member of the oldest federal law enforcement agency in the United States?
The United States Secret Service is an agency under the Department of Homeland Security charged with conducting criminal investigations and protecting the nation’s leaders, their families, and visiting heads of state or government. Until 2003, the Secret Service was part of the Department of the Treasury.
So, when you think of the secret service, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? A James Bond figure without the British accent? Most would say they are highly-trained individuals who risk their lives to protect the President of the United States. That’s correct. However, there is so much more to the job.
Formed right around the start of the Civil War in 1865 by the Treasury Department, the duties of the Secret Service centered on stopping widespread counterfeiting. However, in 1901, because of the assassination of President William H. McKinley, the Secret Service was then given the full-time task of protecting the president and other important political figures and their families.
All living former presidents and their spouses after Dwight D. Eisenhower are entitled to receive lifetime Secret Service protection. Their children are entitled to protection until they turn 16 years-old.
According to the official website, the Secret Service also provides physical security for the White House Complex, the neighboring Treasury Department building, the vice president’s residence, and all foreign diplomatic missions in Washington, D.C.
The protective mission includes protective operations to coordinate manpower and logistics with state and local law enforcement, protective advances to conduct site and venue assessments for protectees, and protective intelligence to investigate all manners of threats made against protectees. The Secret Service is the lead agency in charge of the planning, coordination, and implementation of security operations for events designated as National Special Security Events (NSSE).
In addition to protecting public officials, they may be called to investigate financial crimes.
Still interested? Let’s take a look at what’s involved with becoming an agent for the Secret Service.
Surprisingly, the work hours of a regular secret service agent are the typical 40-hrs per week. Workdays are 9am to 5pm. Needless to say, it’s different if you are a special agent protecting the President. When servicing the President, secret service agents may have to work a 24-hour shift without food or sleep.
The job itself is interesting and exciting. However, it does take a toll on physical and mental health according to many retired agents.
According to a 2014 article written by former secret service agent Dan Emmett for The Wall Street Journal, the life of a secret service agent can be extremely tough and lonely.
Emmett, who protected former Presidents Bill Clinton, George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush, describes the role of a secret service agent as unglamorous:
“The routine is essentially shift work: Each agent assigned to the president works for a two-week period during the day, followed by two weeks on midnight shift and two weeks on the evening shift. At the end of this six-week cycle the agent goes into a two-week training phase, after which the cycle begins again. The continual changing of shifts, combined with constant travel to different time zones, is, of course, very hard on the body. Agents often burn out after four or five years.”
Emmett continued to say, it is especially hard on those with a family. Be prepared to miss holidays, birthdays, soccer games, graduations, and even wedding anniversaries. But that is just part of the life of some secret service agents.
Despite the ups and downs of being an agent, thousands of Americans each year fill out applications with hopes of becoming a member of the secret service.
So, what does it take to become an agent? It helps to have a degree in criminal justice and a respectable GPA, though it’s not required. If you don’t have a degree in that field, some experience helps.
Many agent hopefuls come from law enforcement such as local police department or sheriff’s office. Applicants must be 21 and older but under the age of 37 years in excellent health. They must pass a written examination and training programs.
Of course, passing a background check is a must to qualify for top security clearances.
Once completed, the applicants can apply for the job. Less than one percent of candidates become special agents.
The estimated annual salary for secret service agents ranges from $100,000 to $200,000 a year.
Still willing to don the black suit, earpiece and sunglasses? You can learn more about starting a career in the secret service by visiting https://careers.secretservice.gov/.
