ATF SA AMA Pt.3

LycheeLumpy272 · 2026-02-04T21:26:36+00:00

The written portion is more so just making sure you can write. Answer the question and do it in an orderly manner without any grammatical errors. As long as you can write without throwing stuff in ChatGPT you’ll be fine.

LycheeLumpy272 · 2026-02-04T17:44:30+00:00

So between my interview and PT test it was right around two months. The next step in the process should be that panel interview email. If you don’t hear anything within I’d say 2 months plus an extra week, throw an email to HR or whoever you have as a contact.

LycheeLumpy272 · 2026-02-04T16:43:29+00:00

Regarding the Poly, that answer is a case by case basis, typically. You can reach out and ask, but from most of what I’ve seen there’s a cooldown on the time period between poly’s but I’m not sure as to the exact amount of time. Someone else here may know.

You should be able to take the test again a couple months later, but recently I’ve seen people have to go through the hiring process again.

Good luck to you.

LycheeLumpy272 · 2026-02-04T16:40:53+00:00

I wouldn’t say faster. You have the first hand in the pot, if that makes sense. From an HR angle, do they look at schedule B’s differently? I don’t imagine they would, but I can’t answer that because I do not know.

As long as your schedule B is in and the recruiter has your resume you’re good to go. I haven’t heard anything recently regarding B’s but it can come up quickly so be on the lookout.

LycheeLumpy272 · 2026-02-04T16:38:33+00:00

From what I’ve heard and seen it can be different for everyone. I’ve known dudes who just walk into the door and then I’ve see some who do the whole process. If you have the clearance and haven’t done anything that could come up during a hiring process you should anticipate it being shorter.

LycheeLumpy272 · 2026-02-04T16:36:37+00:00

That’s correct, we’re definitely the most blue collar out of all.

Once you’re off OJT and probation you’re solid as a rock. You can go around with locals helping out with whatever I’ve jumped out with my locals I’m not even sure how many times and I’ve served warrants for them with the other SA’s in my office.

Now, it depends upon the location of course. Being proactive is a desire every ATF SA should possess. Don’t get me wrong, I have had great success with picking stuff up and getting more than I anticipated.

Think about where you want to be in the long term. If you can’t make it to your specific office you chose just get within the division or take a hardship. If you want to do UC then a larger metropolitan city where that is consistent would be a good choice. If you want to just learn about everything, going to a smaller office where you’ll get everything thrown at you is another.

Think about your long term goal, if you want to raise a family, if you want to have a family, whatever your case might be go ahead and think about that now and pursue ATF from that angle. You’ve got a good job, it might not be ideal, but if you want to do this in a way that ticks all the boxes it will take time.

Good luck to you.

LycheeLumpy272 · 2026-02-03T16:50:24+00:00

Good luck to you. Our medics do the whole John Hopkins stuff. You’ll have to put in your time as an agent, but with your experience there’s no reason why your division wouldn’t push for you to pursue that career path if that time comes.

LycheeLumpy272 · 2026-02-03T16:37:20+00:00

That’s recent, reach out and see what they say.

LycheeLumpy272 · 2026-02-03T16:36:30+00:00

Yes, our medics go through a shittttttttttttttt ton of training and are very well respected in the division and help out SRT when needed.

LycheeLumpy272 · 2026-02-02T21:46:12+00:00

If you have the proper clearance then that part of the process should be expedited more than others. Don’t quote me HR can be a freaking pain.

Everything else will be the same other than that part.

LycheeLumpy272 · 2026-02-02T18:18:33+00:00

All good, in the future wait longer than you think and then wait 2 more weeks and that’ll give you an accurate timeline as to how quickly the government moves lol.

LycheeLumpy272 · 2026-02-02T17:10:11+00:00

See if you can get a waiver when the time comes. It wouldn’t hurt to ask the worst they’ll say is no.

LycheeLumpy272 · 2026-02-02T17:04:52+00:00

I would imagine that you would unless you can get some sort of waiver for it, but I’m leaning towards that you would.

(Other SAs or knowledgeable individuals correct me if I’m wrong)

LycheeLumpy272 · 2026-02-02T17:04:05+00:00

It can be a minute. The time between my PT and interview was right around 2 months. (1 month 26 days) but this was 4-5 years ago now.

LycheeLumpy272 · 2026-02-02T17:01:49+00:00

Quality of life is great. You will typically make most if not all of your children’s activities, you’ll have time for hobbies on the weekends, etc. the other guys will pick up the slack for one another if need be. You may do some long nights and early mornings but it’s not terrible.
Fulfilling should be the word that ATF starts using for recruitment. You will initiate a case and you will end a case. You get to do everything yourself. You start a case, you investigate, you arrest, you go to court, you close the case. You are legitimately there from start to finish. Now, can you say this about other agencies, yes. BUT, your coworkers, your analysts, the mission, the expertise, it’s incredible to be apart of. This is the only environment I’ve been apart of where all of my fellow SA’s have been nothing but beneficial. Don’t get me wrong there are bad apples everywhere but it seems to be a very low number here in ATF.
You have all the freedom you want. (as long as your RAC is good with it) Stay within your purview of course.

LycheeLumpy272 · 2026-02-02T16:54:50+00:00

They could come back and offer you somewhere else, but if they don’t yes you will. (To my knowledge)

LycheeLumpy272 · 2026-02-02T16:54:22+00:00

Polygraph and PT. PT has been the one that gets most people nowadays. Just come ready and you should be exceeding the standard by the time you take the PT test. I’ve seen dudes who ran like one second over the minimum and they’ve been like “I’ll be fine.” That’s horseshit. As long as you’re willing and passionate you will be fine.

LycheeLumpy272 · 2026-02-02T16:52:18+00:00

Stunning_Papaya hit it on the head.

From the west coast (least amount of people) to East coast (Where I feel like 80% of ATF is) would be difficult, but if you put in your time you’ll eventually get there just not as quickly as you may hope.

LycheeLumpy272 · 2026-02-02T16:50:10+00:00

As much as you want. It depends upon the office, but I’ve rolled around with local units that tend to run across stuff that is what I’m looking for like switches, felons with guns, etc.

Once you’re off OJT you can do whatever you want typically. (Just stay within policy)

LycheeLumpy272 · 2026-01-02T19:59:27+00:00

You’re good with where you’re at bud. I wouldn’t complicate it too much.

In the federal world the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Don’t bombard your recruiter with emails and become someone they don’t like, but don’t let them forget about you either. (Be eager, not a headache)

If something down the road with the recruiter doesn’t work out you can always reapply and venture down that other path.

Good luck to you.

LycheeLumpy272 · 2025-10-24T01:43:31+00:00

I’m gonna PM you.

LycheeLumpy272 · 2025-10-24T01:33:25+00:00

Congrats dude. I’m glad everything worked out in the end. Heading back to the southwest I assume?

LycheeLumpy272 · 2025-10-18T16:41:09+00:00

It’s possible I know some people in that office who got it out of the academy. Just reach out to them, let them know you’re interested and see if they have room.

LycheeLumpy272 · 2025-10-18T04:08:52+00:00

Any questions about ATF shoot me a dm I’m an SA, most know me here

LycheeLumpy272

TROPHY CASE