u/Junior-Mulberry-330

Projecting (fingers crossed) that I’ll receive a DSS class date for January/April 2027, and I’m incredibly excited. DSS has been my number one agency since I first learned about it.

For some background, I’m 28, currently with another federal law enforcement agency, current Army National Guard officer, financially in a good place/no debt, already maxing my Roth TSP, and I don’t have a spouse or kids. One of the biggest reasons DSS appealed to me is the opportunity to live and work overseas.

For those of you already in DSS, knowing what you know now, how would you maximize your career if you were starting over in my position?

I’m looking for things like:

Assignments you wish you had pursued sooner.

Training or opportunities you wish you had volunteered for.

Financial or career decisions that paid off.

Ways to make the most of overseas tours while still young and unattached.

Anything you wish someone had told you before your first day.

I’m not necessarily looking for hiring advice, more interested in hearing what you’d do differently or prioritize if you could start over with the circumstances I’m in.

Has anyone had VES DBQs show up in their VA file before the medical opinions were uploaded?

I recently completed multiple C&P exams through VES (musculoskeletal, mental health, etc.). My VSO told me he can see a bunch of DBQs in my file, but no medical opinions have been uploaded yet, so he can’t see whether the examiner provided favorable or unfavorable nexus opinions.

Is this normal? How long after your exams did the medical opinions populate? Did your claim continue moving while waiting on them, or was it held up until the opinions were uploaded?

Just trying to understand where I am in the process and what usually happens next.

Is DSS’s Background Investigation/Suitability process more involved or difficult to get adjudicated than other federal agencies? I’ve heard they tend to scrutinize applicants more closely and have a more stringent suitability review. Just curious what others experiences have been. Thanks.

*For reference, I have an active TS/SCI through DOW and have passed another agencies suitability.*

Hello everyone,

I’m 28 years old and transitioning into federal law enforcement, so I’ll now be able to take advantage of the TSP. I’m trying to set myself up the right way financially early on and would appreciate any advice or insight from those with more experience.

My projected income progression looks roughly like this (including locality/cost-of-living pay):

Starting: around $83,000

After Year 1: around $93,000

After Year 2: around $125,000

That also does not include overtime, holiday pay, swing shifts, etc., so actual income could end up being significantly higher. I’m also currently going through the VA claims process as well.

I’ll be living in a relatively low cost-of-living area and have very little debt. The only debt I currently have is about $4,000 left on my car loan, which I’ve mainly kept open for credit history purposes. I could pay it off at any time if I wanted to.

My current plan is to go the Roth route and max out the Roth TSP each year (roughly $23k annually). I also have a traditional 401(k) from my civilian career with about $62,000 currently in it.

I’ve been in the Army National Guard since 2017, but honestly I didn’t take advantage of the TSP like I should have because I was primarily focused on contributing to my civilian 401(k) instead (dumb, I know).

For those of you further along in your careers:

Is maxing out the Roth TSP a smart move in my situation?

Would you prioritize Roth over traditional at my projected income levels?

Anything you wish you would’ve done differently early in your federal career?

Any other investing, retirement, or financial advice you’d give someone in my position?

Thank you in advance.

Does anyone have any recommendations or possible leads? For reference, I am a single, 28 year old male moving to the area with very little. Planning to buy new and/or get a furnished place. Would love to get a studio or one bedroom. Budget is $1,500. Thank you in advance!