I'm interested in joining either the army, the navy, or a special unit (CIA, FBI, S.W.A.T, etc..)?

Question

have been interested in joining since my father retired from the military, but not sure what to do. I have extensive training in weaponry, espionage, and many other tactical skills. I'm also in great physical shape. I feel like i could help our country in numerous services. I want to either be an army ranger or something similar, a navy seal, or some sort of espionage agent. Any advice at all? i know this is broad but anything at all that you have to say will help. What to do, how to get started, how to make sure im in the right physical condition, other jobs that may interest me, or anything else that could help. Also, i was wondering if there was any way i could be an actual spy so if anyone knows a job involving something like that please tell me. Thanks a lot everyone :)

yea but he is hardcore air force and anytime i talk to him he tries to pressure me into enlisting in the air force and that just isnt what i want to do.

its not about one man. its about our country. and protecting people like you, even if they are pricks. just because you dont agree with one persons views doesnt mean you shouldn't want to serve your country

i'm 17 right now
and i have training because my dad and a couple of his buddies have been all over my *** with stuff like that since i was probably 7 or 8 years old. i mean constant everyday training me for what they want me to be. sorry i didnt make that clear before i know it probably sounded kind of weird.

Answer 1

First, I wonder how old you are. Then, I wonder how you have espionage training.

My suggestion? Enlist in the Marines. They'll see you as incredible, give you opportunities for training, and you go from there. No one just "becomes" a seal, or a ranger, or a PJ. YOu prove yourself first on the battlefield, then you go on to be something better.

Go into the Marines, volunteer for Iraq, show your skills, you'll get the positions.

Answer 2

First of all... Dan: Hooah is the Army. Oorah is the marines. Second: to answer your question it really does come down to personal choice. I've been in the Army for about a year now and am really enjoying it. Make sure you pick an MOS (or rate if you're in the navy.) that you will enjoy, and is something you might be able to do outside of the Military life. It is VERY hard to become a SEAL. Realistically, it probably won't happen. In the army there are several schools for you to attend, with a much higher success rates. Such as Airborne, Ranger, Special Forces, ect. Just keep that in mind. From what I hear from my navy friends, it is harder to advance in rank in the Navy. (He's an E-2 and has been in for 3.5 years. I've been in for 1 in the Army and am already an E-3.) That means you have potential to take on more leadership rolls with the higher rank.

Answer 3

When I was interested in the FBI, one needed a degree in Law or Accounting. I don't know what the requirements are now.

I believe somebody posted that SEAL, Ranger, Recon, etc. duty is appointed. Not so. You have to volunteer. But you also have to finish. There have been SEAL classes where nobody made it through. SF training can be a year of more in length. For half that you are wet, cold, dirty, exhausted, hungry, sometimes sick and bleeding. Then you have a tour and are evaluated. If you do well, you can be SOF.

I don't know what kind of background your dad and his buddies have, but my guess is that, while you might be in great shape, maybe run a couple miles in 12 minutes, swim a couple miles in 45 minutes, do 500 push-ups, 100 pull-ups, and maybe you can shoot reasonably well with a variety of weapons, and you know a little about martial arts and can do a few Katas, you might even have some sky-diving and SCUBA experience, but my guess is that your tactical skills aren't all that you think.

I swim with a guy who is about to retire from SWCC (Special Warfare Combat Crew) in which he is currently a recruiter and trainer. They didn't exist when I was in the Navy, but I hear they train right down the beach from the SEALs. He has a son who is probably 12. The kid has focus. He has no fear. He swims a thousand yards, gets out and does a hundred push-ups, a hundred "flutter kicks," and gets back in and repeats it. He probably has some martial arts and weapons training too. His dad wants him to be SEAL. But that kid's dad has been there and done that. My point is that you can learn "about" stuff. But it's different from learning the "stuff."

You're allusion to espionage training is worrisome. Perhaps you mean clandestine operations.

All that notwithstanding, if you want Ranger, SEAL, etc., join the service with that branch. Tell the recruiter, from the outset, that's your goal. Go in with all the training and hope and desire you can. But go in knowing that not many make it.

Good luck.

Answer 4

First off, if you want to join the Agency or the Bureau you'll need a college degree. Your major wouldn't matter, but learn a foreign language, spend time abroad, keep good grades, stay out of trouble and away from drugs and maybe you can have a shot :) And take it from me, it's not easy.

As far as the military side, most Special Forces units are appointed. If you want to be a Seal, join the Navy and let your superiors know you're interested. The training is intense and be warned that the majority of those who start will not finish. If you want to be a Ranger, Delta Force, or another unit within the Army, join the Army and train hard. Work harder than your peers and maybe you can be appointed to Ranger school or Delta training.

I know nothing about SWAT unfortunately. So I can't help you there.

Keep in mind there's also the DIA, Dept. of Homeland Security, the Coast Guard, etc. Don't get discouraged. I wish you good luck and hopefully someday we can be colleagues :)

Also, this isn't my cup of tea (and probably not yours), but there's also the private sector. Many firms such as Booz Allen Hamilton, Stratfor, and Rand provide such services to the government as a contracting agency. However, be warned that these guys look for hadcore military experience, intel experience (with the government), or advanced degrees.

I'm shooting for similar work with you, so I only want to help. Good luck and keep your hopes up.

Answer 5

SWAT teams are all civilian. Special Forces would be the military equivelent. To join any of the forces, you would need to join the branch of the unit you are most interested in and then qualify. Even being eligable for special forces is tough..you will have to be an outstanding example of airman/marine/soldier/sailor, make rank as quickly as you can and constantly blow the top off your PT requirements. From there you will be screened medically and psychologically. After that, it is off to training and over 50% of those who make it that far go no further.

FBI and CIA require college degrees..communication, foreign policy, tech are all good areas. A second language is helpful...learning one of the ones in high demand is best (so Spainish won't do much). Farsi, Hindi, the various Chinese dialects and anything from the Middle East are in demand. You will need to be a strong student, do internships attached to government offices if possible, stay in top shape. Being prior military can help, but is not mandatory. Since all the training you've had is home grown, you will still have to go through all the classes and qualifications. And for any of the above mentioned options...military or civilian...you will go through an in depth security and background check.

Answer 6

"extensive training"? Looking at stuff online or your dad showing you a few moves in the back yard is not extensive training. As far as physical fitness, it will depend on who you want to join. They all have different requirements. If you like weapons and tactics, go Marines, we are the most highly trained military. Then you can more easily get into FBI or SWAT. If you haven't finnished school yet, make sure your grades are good. That can make a big difference in what you are able to do, more so than tactical training, especially if you are interested in CIA or FBI.

Answer 7

I would suggest getting plenty of schooling under your belt. Either West Point or other and maybe join the Navy. Do schooling while enlisted. Do plenty of research to get some sort of structured path in front of you. See website below for more details on requirements etc. Consider learning languages that will be need most as now we are using people with Arabic most but others like Korean and Russian maybe of use depending on future climates.

Answer 8

If your interested in joining the special forces and serving your country. make sure you take a person that is inthe service to help you get what you want. Recruiters are for the most part driven by numbers so they will tell you what you want to hear to get you into the service..Special forces have signing bonuses if you complete the school and enlist for more than 4 years. If this is what you really want take your father with you or someone you know in the service you want to join to get the results that you are seeking. believe me i have been in for 20 yrs and know all the tricks.

Answer 9

I would say before you scrap out the AF alltogether to ask your AF recruiter about the AF combat medics. They do extensive training and not everyone gets accepted into it. Also, a medical field is something you can always fall back on in the civilian world. Best of luck in whatever you decide to do!!

Answer 10

if your young and fit then i would go the SF way you should do this before anything if you pick a different M.O.S and then wait a while and go SF you wont make it. Thats why i dont go becouse ive gotten used to my life style

but go SF youll do stuff no one will know and talking about stuff that saves many lifes.... but its all up to you

seal, SF, Ranger all up to you research before you do anything...

and yeah your dad is ex military he should be able to help you

"espionage" to much TV Kid ;)