FBI Careers for Veterans: Complete Guide to Joining the Bureau

The FBI wants veterans. Your security clearance, discipline, and operational experience make you an ideal candidate for America's premier law enforcement agency.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation employs over 35,000 people—including approximately 14,000 Special Agents and 21,000 professional staff. Veterans are heavily represented and actively recruited for both tracks.

This guide covers everything about FBI careers: Special Agent vs. professional staff paths, hiring requirements, the lengthy application process, and how to position yourself for success.

Why FBI for Veterans?

Mission Alignment

The FBI's mission resonates with military service:

• National security and counterterrorism
• Cybersecurity and cyber threats
• Major criminal investigations
• Intelligence operations

Veteran Hiring Priority

The FBI actively seeks veterans:

• 25%+ of FBI Special Agents have military backgrounds
• Military experience counts as "critical skills"
• Clearances transfer (huge advantage)
• Leadership and discipline valued

Unique Opportunities

FBI offers capabilities you won't find elsewhere:

• Lead federal criminal investigations
• Work counterterrorism and counterintelligence
• Access to advanced investigative tools
• Career paths in specialized squads

FBI Career Tracks

Special Agent (GL-10 to GS-13)

Special Agents are the FBI's criminal investigators.

What they do:

• Investigate federal crimes
• Conduct interviews and interrogations
• Execute search and arrest warrants
• Work undercover operations
• Testify in federal court
• Coordinate with other agencies

Starting salary: $81,000 (includes LEAP and locality) Journey level: GS-13 ($121,000+ with LEAP) Supervisory: GS-14/15 (~$140,000-$180,000+)

Professional Staff (GS-5 to GS-15)

Professional staff support FBI operations in critical roles.

Categories include:

• Intelligence Analysts
• IT Specialists
• Forensic Examiners
• Financial Analysts
• Surveillance Specialists
• Language Specialists
• Evidence Technicians
• Administrative Specialists

Salary range: $45,000 to $180,000+ depending on position and grade

Which Path?

Choose Special Agent if:

• You want investigative authority
• Willing to relocate anywhere
• Can pass rigorous physical requirements
• Ready for demanding career with irregular hours
• Under age 37 at appointment (with military credit)

Choose Professional Staff if:

• Prefer specialized technical work
• Want more geographic stability
• Have specific skills (cyber, intel, language, forensics)
• Not interested in law enforcement role
• Seeking standard work schedule

Special Agent Requirements

Basic Requirements

Age:

• 23-36 at appointment
• Military service credit can extend maximum age
• Must be under 37 when entering duty

Citizenship:

• U.S. citizen or in process of becoming citizen

Education:

• Bachelor's degree from accredited university
• No specific major required

Work experience:

• At least 2 years professional experience
• Military service qualifies

Driver's license:

• Valid driver's license required

Availability:

• Must be available for assignment anywhere in U.S.
• May be assigned overseas

Critical Skills Entry Programs

The FBI prioritizes candidates with "critical skills." Veterans often qualify:

Diversified (military/law enforcement):

• Three years of full-time work experience
• Military service counts
• Law enforcement experience counts

Accounting/Finance:

• CPA or degree in accounting
• Financial investigation focus

Computer Science/IT:

• Degree in CS, IT, or related field
• Cyber investigation focus

Language:

• Test-certified proficiency in critical language
• Priority languages include Arabic, Farsi, Chinese, Korean, Russian

Law:

• JD and active bar membership
• Legal and policy focus

STEM:

• Degree in science, engineering, or mathematics
• Technical investigation focus

Physical Requirements

Physical Fitness Test (PFT): All candidates must pass:

• Sit-ups (1 minute)
• 300-meter sprint
• Push-ups (untimed)
• 1.5-mile run

Minimum standards (vary by age and gender):

• Must score at least 1 point in each event
• Need minimum 12 points total across 4 events

Example (male, 30-39):

Event	1 Point	Max Points
Sit-ups	32	48+
Sprint	52.5 sec	44.0 sec
Push-ups	33	64+
1.5 mile	13:59	9:29

Veterans typically excel at PFT with modest preparation.

Medical Requirements

• Vision: 20/20 corrected (uncorrected 20/200 max)
• Hearing: Within normal limits
• Color vision: Must pass Ishihara test
• General health: Pass comprehensive medical exam
• Mental health: Psychological evaluation

Background Investigation

FBI background is exceptionally thorough:

• Full-scope polygraph examination
• SF-86 (Tier 5 investigation)
• Financial review
• Employment verification
• Reference interviews (extensive)
• Social media review
• Drug history review

Automatic disqualifiers include:

• Conviction of felony
• Default on student loans insured by U.S. government
• Failure of polygraph
• Illegal drug use within certain timeframes
• Failure to register with Selective Service (males)

Special Agent Hiring Process

Overview

The FBI Special Agent hiring process is lengthy—typically 1-2 years.

Phase 1: Application

1. Apply online at fbijobs.gov
2. Complete questionnaire (education, experience, critical skills)
3. Wait for review (can take weeks to months)

Phase 2: Phase I Testing

If selected, you'll complete:

• Cognitive ability test (logic, reasoning)
• Personality assessment (behavioral questions)
• Essay questions (situational judgment)

Testing is online and must be completed within deadline.

Phase 3: Meet and Greet

If you pass Phase I:

• Interview with Special Agent recruiter
• In-person or virtual session
• Discuss your background and interest

Phase 4: Phase II Testing

Structured interview:

• Panel interview with FBI personnel
• Behavioral and situational questions
• Professional and personal history
• Scored on competencies

Written exercise:

• Produce written work product
• Demonstrates communication skills

Phase 5: Conditional Job Offer

If you pass Phase II:

• Receive conditional offer
• Begin intensive background investigation
• Schedule physical fitness test
• Begin medical evaluation

Phase 6: Background and Polygraph

Background investigation:

• Investigators contact references
• Employment verification
• Education verification
• Financial review
• Criminal history check

Polygraph:

• Full-scope polygraph examination
• Counterintelligence and lifestyle questions
• Can be lengthy and intense

Medical:

• Complete physical examination
• Vision and hearing tests
• Drug testing

Phase 7: Final Job Offer

If you pass all phases:

• Final job offer
• Assignment to Field Office
• Report date to FBI Academy

Phase 8: FBI Academy

New Agent Training (NAT):

• 20 weeks at Quantico, Virginia
• Academic training
• Firearms training
• Physical training
• Practical exercises
• Case simulation

Upon graduation, you're a certified FBI Special Agent.

Professional Staff Positions

Intelligence Analyst (GS-7 to GS-13)

What they do:

• Analyze intelligence for investigations
• Produce intelligence products
• Support operational planning
• Brief field agents and leadership

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree
• Analytical experience
• Security clearance eligibility

Salary: $56K-$118K (plus locality)

Veteran advantage: Military intelligence experience directly applicable

IT Specialist (GS-9 to GS-14)

What they do:

• Support FBI technology systems
• Cybersecurity operations
• Network administration
• Digital forensics

Requirements:

• IT degree or experience
• Security certifications preferred
• Clearance eligibility

Salary: $68K-$140K (plus locality)

Veteran advantage: 25B, 17C, cyber MOS experience valuable

Surveillance Specialist (GS-7 to GS-9)

What they do:

• Conduct physical surveillance
• Monitor subjects
• Document activities
• Support investigative operations

Requirements:

• Valid driver's license
• Ability to work irregular hours
• Physical capability

Salary: $56K-$82K (plus locality)

Veteran advantage: Reconnaissance, observation skills

Language Specialist (GS-7 to GS-13)

What they do:

• Translate documents
• Interpret communications
• Support foreign language operations
• Provide cultural expertise

Requirements:

• Proficiency in critical language
• Must pass language testing
• Written and oral capability

Salary: $56K-$118K (plus locality)

Priority languages: Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Russian, Spanish

Forensic Examiner (GS-9 to GS-13)

What they do:

• Analyze forensic evidence
• DNA, fingerprints, ballistics, digital
• Testify as expert witnesses
• Support investigations

Requirements:

• Relevant degree (chemistry, biology, computer science)
• Specialized training
• Attention to detail

Salary: $68K-$118K (plus locality)

FBI Salary and Benefits

Special Agent Pay

Special Agents receive:

Base pay (GL scale):

• GL-10: ~$57,000

LEAP (Law Enforcement Availability Pay):

• 25% additional (mandatory availability)

Locality pay:

• 17-44% depending on location

Example - New Agent in DC:

• Base: $57,000
• LEAP: $14,250
• Locality: $23,700
• Total: ~$95,000

After promotion to GS-13 (typical after 4 years):

• Base: ~$97,000
• LEAP: ~$24,000
• Locality: ~$32,000
• Total: ~$153,000

Professional Staff Pay

Standard GS scale with locality adjustments.

Benefits

All FBI employees receive:

• Federal health insurance (FEHB)
• Retirement (FERS)
• Thrift Savings Plan with 5% match
• Life insurance (FEGLI)
• Paid leave
• Training and development

Special Agent additional:

• Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) retirement at 20 years
• Enhanced retirement benefits
• Mandatory retirement at 57

FBI Locations

Headquarters

FBI Headquarters, Washington DC:

• Leadership and executive positions
• Policy and program management
• Specialized units

FBI Academy, Quantico, VA:

• Training division
• Behavioral analysis
• Leadership programs

Field Offices

56 Field Offices across the United States:

• Major cities in every region
• From New York to Los Angeles
• From Chicago to Miami

New agents:

• Assigned based on FBI needs
• Can request preferences
• Must be willing to go anywhere

Resident Agencies

~350 smaller offices throughout country:

• Support field office operations
• Located in smaller cities
• More specialized work

International

FBI has presence in 80+ countries:

• Legal attaché offices
• Embedded positions
• Liaison roles

Military Experience Advantage

What FBI Values

Leadership:

• Small unit leadership
• Decision-making under stress
• Personnel management

Operations:

• Mission planning
• Tactical execution
• Intelligence operations

Security:

• Classified material handling
• OPSEC/COMSEC
• Clearance background

Discipline:

• Attention to detail
• Chain of command
• Professional conduct

MOS Translation to FBI

Military Background	FBI Fit
Infantry (11B/0311)	Special Agent, Tactical
Intelligence (35F/0231)	Intel Analyst, Special Agent
MP (31B/5811)	Special Agent, Security
Cyber (17C/1B4X1)	IT Specialist, Cyber SA
Special Operations	Special Agent, HRT potential
Linguist (35P)	Language Specialist, SA

Clearance Advantage

If you have TS/SCI:

• Transfers to FBI (saves months)
• Required for most positions
• Huge competitive advantage
• Don't let it lapse before applying

Application Tips

For Special Agent

1. Apply in multiple critical skill areas if qualified
2. Highlight military leadership specifically
3. Document operational experience with metrics
4. Prepare extensively for Phase II interview
5. Train for PFT starting now
6. Be completely honest in background—dishonesty is disqualifying

For Professional Staff

1. Target positions matching your MOS
2. Apply to multiple locations for better odds
3. Emphasize clearance if you have one
4. Highlight specialized skills (language, cyber, intel)
5. Use veteran hiring authorities (VRA, 30% disabled)

Timeline Strategy

Given the length of FBI hiring:

• Apply early – 1-2 years before you want to start
• Continue other applications – Don't wait for FBI alone
• Stay in shape – PFT could come anytime
• Maintain clearance – Don't let it lapse
• Keep record clean – Any incidents can derail process

Career Progression

Special Agent Path

Years 1-4: New Agent → Full Performance (GS-13) Years 5-10: Squad work, potential supervisor (GS-14) Years 10-15: Supervisory Special Agent, Unit Chief (GS-15) Years 15+: ASAC, SAC, HQ leadership (SES)

Professional Staff Path

Entry (GS-7/9) → Journey (GS-11/12) → Senior (GS-13) → Lead/Supervisor (GS-14/15)

Timeline varies by position and performance.

The Bottom Line

FBI offers veterans:

• Prestigious career in premier law enforcement
• Mission continuity in national security
• Strong veteran hiring preference
• Competitive compensation with LEO benefits

The process is long and demanding—but for those who make it, the FBI provides an extraordinary career.

Start your application now. Given 1-2 year timelines, there's no time to wait.

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Interested in other federal law enforcement? Explore careers at DEA, Secret Service, or ATF.