u/Intelligent_Taco

Well everyone, get ready to enjoy staging in Miami and Key West. Key West especially is a pretty cool little island.

That's no typo. Yes, my announcement was from back in 2024. I thought I had everything dialed in for the perfect transition from the military and into federal law enforcement. But the SURGE had other plans, and knocked my app to the back burner. But I persevered (read: waited) and I finally got the call. I know HSI offers are like a dime a dozen nowadays, but I am still really excited to be part of the team. I also did most of the steps while stationed in Germany, so I paid quite a bit to fly back and forth. Only time will tell if it was worth it.

2023

Jan - First applied via USAJOBS.

Jan - Phase I Assessment Invite (completed same day).

Feb - Phase II Assessment Invite (this is where I waffled because I thought it's way too early to apply if I retire in 2025 and I thought against spending so much money to fly back for a test).

Jul - NOR email stating I failed to complete a required step in the process.

2024

Feb - Applied via USAJOBS a second time.

Mar - Phase I carried over and received Phase II invite.

Apr - Phase II Assessment complete (flew from Germany to CONUS because I couldn't do the test at my base test center).

Jun - TSL received for GL-7! (I'm surprised I passed Phase II!)

Jul - PREA Questionnaire complete.

Aug - PSD grants suitability (only found this out much later when asking about the status of my app).

Aug - Drug test requested (I had 96 hours from notification to provide sample; definitely not cheap plane tickets)

Sep - Medical Invite.

Sep - Medical complete (flew back CONUS).

Oct - Medical followup requested (I tried to accomplish at my base but appointments were over two months out and past the PECU extension; I love military healthcare!).

Nov - Completed followup items in CONUS and paid out of pocket for the exam. Submitted to PECU.

Dec - PECU waiver request and promptly completed/returned.

2025

Jan - PECU granted waiver!!!

Jan - PFT Administrator reached out for PFT. Agent advised against needlessly flying out to take PFT since it must be done w/in 90 days of FLETC. Recommended I go on military hold.

Jan - Request military hold and approved.

Jun - Moved family from Germany to California.

Jul - Reached out while on terminal leave to do the PFT and remove military hold (surge is ramping up).

Aug - Received email stating to sit tight and wait for reinstatement into the hiring process (the real wait begins).

Sep - Finally retire from the Air Force, submitted DD-214, and pinged HROC for an update. Zero response...and I am jobless.

Oct-Dec - Surge is in full swing and I see tons of FJOs from GL-9 applicants and even the GL-7 app that opened Jul '25. I reached out once a month to HROC with zero response and applied to every GL-9 announcement in an effort to dislodge my app from purgatory.

Dec - Christmas Eve I get the email to take the drug test again. Merry Christmas!!!

Dec - Receive email to start medical...again. PECU was unreachable but the DOC Health contractor was awesome in reaching out and turning off the task.

2026

Jan - PECU sent Medical Self Certification form. Promptly signed and returned.

Jan-Mar - Email once a month and no response. Also applied for GL-7 a third time and re-took Phase I/II, because it changed apparently.

Apr - PFT Administrator reaches out to schedule PFT!!!

Apr - Complete and passed PFT.

May - Got the email! (I throw up from excitement)

May - Start at the end of May. FLETC TBD (the real wait begins!)

Location: Staying in socal!!!

Background: 38M. Retired Air Force intel nerd. Supported F-16s, ISR operations, targeting, special operations, and even counter-narcotics operations. Bachelors in Intel Studies, Masters in National Security Studies.

I really appreciate everyone in this community. This has been a great place for information exchange and the occasional shit talking. I look forward to working with you all out there.