The Department of Defense’s premier law enforcement agency, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, commonly known as Army CID, is actively recruiting qualified Soldiers who are interested in pursuing a career as a federal law enforcement officer.
Special Agents with CID are some of the most highly-trained and experienced detectives in the law enforcement arena. They are responsible for investigating felony-level crime that has an Army nexus, conducting protective-service operations, conducting counter-narcotic operations, developing criminal intelligence, and working with Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies worldwide.
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“Without a doubt, this is the best job in the Army,” said Special Agent Erick Bryant, an 18-year veteran of CID who has mentored more than 100 apprentice special agents during his career. Asked if he feels like his work has a made a difference in terms of protecting Soldiers and the Army as a whole, Bryant replies with a resounding, “Yes, absolutely.”
“I feel as though I am contributing to other's welfare,” said Bryant. “It's my experience that every agent I've encountered wants to help victims. On some level, it's a common thread with every agent. That shared goal brings us together and gives us a common purpose … there is strength in that.”
Agent candidates go through 15 weeks of training during the CID Special Agent Course at the U.S. Army Military Police School and receive advanced training in several specialized investigative disciplines. Selected agents can receive advanced training at the FBI National Academy, Metropolitan Police Academy at Scotland Yard, the Defense Academy of Credibility Assessment, and the Canadian Police College. Agents also have the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree in forensic science from George Washington University and enlisted agents have tremendous opportunities to become warrant officers.
“The training is fast-paced and thought provoking covering everything from crime scene processing to interviews and interrogations and was recently accredited by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation Board,” said CID Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Seaman, who is also a CID Special Agent. “The instructors are some of the most respected law enforcement professionals in the field and the quality of and the level of instruction is second to none. As an apprentice agent, new agents at their first duty assignment receive mentorship and field training by senior agents and are given an opportunity to apply a multitude of felony investigative techniques in real-life scenarios while learning to master their craft.”
To qualify, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, at least 21-years-old, be an E-4 or E-5 (non-promotable), with at least two years - but not more than 12 years time in service, have an ST score of 107 or higher, have at least 60 college credit hours (waiver of up to half of this prerequisite may be considered), have a physical profile 222221 or higher, with normal color vision and no record of mental or emotional disorders, a minimum of one year of military police experience or two years of civilian police experience (a waiver of this prerequisite may be considered).
With just 12 months on the job, Special Agent Jennifer Swierk, a former military police officer and now a CID Special Agent at Fort Stewart, says she became an agent because she wanted a challenging career in law enforcement, but more importantly, she wanted to serve and protect her fellow Soldiers.
“CID was something I was familiar with prior to even joining the military,” said Swierk. “As an MP I worked with CID and realized it was the type of job I would thoroughly enjoy… I recognized I wanted to be a part of something bigger than the MP world. I cannot think of any other job in the Army I would rather be doing.”
Applicants must be able to speak and write clearly, have suitable character established by a Single Scope Background Investigation - leading to a Top Secret clearance, no record of unsatisfactory credit and no felony or court-martial convictions. Lastly, applicants must be able to complete 36 months of service obligation upon completion of the CID Special Agent Course.
“The unique opportunities in CID are second to none and our agents are some of the most sought after professionals in law enforcement today because of the caliber of training they receive and their experience in solving serious crime,” said Chris Grey, chief of Public Affairs for CID. “We are always looking for qualified Soldiers to join our elite team of investigators.”
According to Grey, CID Special Agents are first responders and the Army’s detectives for murders, sexual assaults, contracting fraud, robbery, computer crimes and any other felony criminal acts against the Army community. Agents from CID work daily with the FBI, ATF, DEA, and numerous other law enforcement agencies and have one of the highest solve rates for serious crime within Federal law enforcement.
To apply, contact a local CID office today, or go to www.cid.army.mil for additional information.
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