u/Your_Huckleberry2020

I’m EODing with USSS in two weeks and in need of updating 95% of my daily wardrobe. Help.

I’ve been a State Trooper and now dope TFO for a while… When I worked the road, I wore my issued uniform and didn’t have to spend an iota thinking about options. Everything—and I mean everything—was uniformed and regimented. Then, when I became a narc, the name of the game became growing facial hair and wearing jeans and a T…my biggest clothing decision of the day was what hat, hoodie, shoe combo I wanted to roll with. Even when I was off duty, I usually wore athletic wear and gym clothes. Comfortability was king. Professional aesthetics? Not so much.

Now that I’m joining USSS, I’ve been introduced to the wonderful world of options. I need help. Business and business casual clothing seems to be the name of the game. I like that, I just don’t know what to get and what to stand clear of. I’d like to invest in stuff that you all have found travels well, is comfortable, breathable, and looks the part. Bonus points for matching, right?! I’ll take any advice. I just want to be squared away before my start date.

Been going through the hiring process with DEA and a few other agencies. Was given the nod that I should be getting a call soon. At the end of the day, my decision will be highly dependent on locations offered. I know the locations change by class, so I’m interested to know what locations guys/gals are currently getting offered. Really hoping for the southeast. Anyone have any recent insight?

I looked but couldn’t find a direct answer… With the sign-on bonus and contract stating you will work 3-4 years with USSS, is there any flexibility for individuals to back out and jump to another agency that offers a FJO during the first year with USSS or are you stuck once you sign? I have not seen the FJO contract, so I’m unsure if anything changes for USSS SAs based on the 3-4 year commitment clause(s), but my understanding was that nothing is paid out immediately until after you complete training…So, I’d assume you may be able to jump ship for another agency if it’s more advantageous for you/your family. Can anyone speak to this?

I attended a USPIS virtual information exchange (VIE), which turned out to be a complete waste of time. What was discussed by staff was basic information that applicants should have reviewed and known before submitting an application for said agency. What was worse though, was more than half of the VIE (which you’re required to attend and sit through in its entirety) was spent in a Q&A format, answering questions of applicants who admittedly didn’t quite understand what they signed up for (i.e., “so we do carry a gun if we become an Inspector?”). 🤯

I’m not shit talking USPIS (or any agency)… Heck, I’d like to work there! But my god it was painful to see how clueless and unprofessional (wearing a T-shirt with purple hair and several nose rings) so many applicants were. I think it’s crazy to require everyone who applies to sit through a 1+ hour general info/Q&A, where the same 5 people monopolize the time and prolong the meeting to ask basic questions…

Am I the only one who feels this way? Do most other agencies experience an influx of underprepared candidates? Woof

As the title says, I am curious how much most people have saved for 6 months' worth of expenses. I'm also interested in learning how people determine which expenses to continue funding vs cutting in an "oh shit!" scenario where you have to tap into this emergency fund.

**UPDATE** I am a Dave Ramsey fan, but started tracking the Money Guys when it came time to start paying toward the principal of the house or investing more into retirement (my interest rate is fixed < 3.5%). Nevertheless, we did follow his initial baby steps and are currently debt-free, minus the mortgage.

I've got about $50k set aside in a HYSA, which I based on our normal spending. This amount will comfortably cover 6-7 months of current expenses. The reason for this post is that I am curious whether I'm saving too much in a HYSA and should instead invest it in my brokerage account for a likely higher rate of return...? For context, we're investing in our 401ks, Roth IRAs, and pension plans, yet, I feel behind because I wasn't investing regularly in my 20s. Thoughts?

As the title says, I am curious how much most people have saved for 6 months' worth of expenses. I'm also interested in learning how people determine which expenses to continue funding vs cutting in an "oh shit!" scenario where you have to tap into this emergency fund.

I’m looking to see if anyone can provide me some clarity on what just happened, or more importantly, why it happened… in May, I applied to both the special agent and special agent – CAT postings. Before taking any of the exams, I received an email for the CAT opening, advising that I was one of the top qualified applicants. I did not receive that email for the regular SA opening at that time.

I took the SAEE & APAT shortly after and passed both. Following the SAEE, I received multiple emails for both the normal SA and the SA – CAT openings, notifying me that I was being referred to multiple Feild offices + WOF at the same GL rate.

Out of the blue, I received an email notifying me that I was one of the top qualified applicants for the regular SA opening. At the exact same time— and I literally mean the same exact minute that I received this email— I received a second email for the same position, advising that there were better applicants, and that my regular SA application was being declined.

I notified the recruiting office immediately and requested clarification, assuming that the secondary email I received for the normal SA position was sent in error. I later received email notification that I had been removed from the regular SA job opening, but that I was still in the hiring process for the SA – CAT opening. When I inquired about the rationale for this, I was told that it was unclear.

I’m honored to still be in the hiring process for CAT, but frustrated that my options will be completely limited now that I’ve been removed from the regular SA opening should I get to the final job offer. Has anyone experienced this, and or can they explain it? Most of the posts I see on this page are folks offered different field offices around the country in conjunction with CAT. I have yet to read a post stating that they were only offered CAT or bust.

My question is pretty self-explanatory. I'm wondering if the field office listed in my onboarding invitation email will likely represent the location I'm offered off my dream sheet if/when a FJO comes? The email says it's not a for sure location, but I want to know if that's the USSS just saying that to cover their bases, and most people do end up there.

I also received an email notifying me I was referred to 15 +/- office locations for consideration, but was assigned to the Baltimore location. Baltimore is not one of my personal top 5 preferred locations, but I know Baltimore is fairly large and an easy office to steal bodies from if the WFO needs extra hands on deck. Thus, I'm cuurious if there's a strong likelihood that Baltimore would be the only location offered to me off my dream sheet since others are not as big or more sought after. From following this group, I've seen many people get offered large locations and hard-to-fill offices (NYC, LA, Chicago), but I'm unclear if one of or any of those locations were on their "Onboarding Invitation."

Also, does the pay grade I get brought on impact field office locations of what will or won't be offered? I was notified via emal that I was ONLY referred to the ~ 15 field offices for the pay grade of GL-11.