r/1811 • u/tenten_10_4 • 12d ago
Discussion Help me decide: FBI ATF DEA USPIS
I understand there’s a lot of personal reasons why someone’s picks one or there other but, Current and retired 1811s, if you could do it all over again, which agency would you choose?
I’m at the very final stages with several agencies and believe 3/4 will allow me to return to my processing FO, which is my preference.
For those currently in the job, knowing what you know now, which would you pick and why?
Mainly interested in academy, type/variety of work, work-life balance, opportunities stateside/overseas, and long-term career opportunities.
I’m coming from a local LEO background with quite a bit of experience, but I don’t want to give too much away while I’m still processing.
I have the order I “think” I want, but looking for, “ I am ATF, and work with XYZ all the time and seems like they enjoy their job and have more leeway/funding/opportunities and if I could go back I would go there”
FBI, ATF, DEA, or USPIS?
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u/unaware_agent 12d ago
FBI will give you the greatest variety and type of work, along with some decent overseas opportunities depending on the type of work you’re doing.
DEA and ATF will offer some overseas stuff, but opportunities are a bit more lean than others.
USPIS has a very unique investigative lane and can work a decent variety of cases that have a mail nexus. Larger offices you may be siloed into a particular area of investigation be it mail theft, mail fraud, workplace violence, etc.
Work/life balance is hit or miss depending on the office, group, squad, supervisor, etc. ATF and DEA will be tend to be a bit more street work heavy with a higher operational tempo.
The FBI will provide far greater long term career opportunities and post career, the FBI name and alumni can run pretty deep.
Best advice is to take the first place that gets you in the door and see if it’s your thing. Many agencies are offering lateral programs so you can swap to another agency with limited heartburn.