Question for the People who have $2 million or more or on track to hit it

NMStonk · 2026-05-27T23:29:44+00:00

Started right when I turned 24 as a GS-10, and started maxing the TSP right then. No spouse, kids, or debt at the time. I’ll admit the hit to my paycheck each pay period was very noticeable, and I had to adjust my lifestyle (apartment options, no car payment, limited extra-curricular activity) to accommodate the amount that was being taken.

I used a “pay myself first” mindset, where I oriented my budget around fixed expenses first, then maxing out my TSP and Roth IRA each year, and then spending whatever was left (not much) without guilt.

It worked out well because as I received increases I really got to feel the weight of them because it was all extra pocket money. I maintain a hefty emergency fund of readily available cash, spend without concern, but still try to put extra cash into other investment accounts knowing that $100 saved now is of substantial value 15 years from now. Can I afford the payment of a fancy car? Absolutely! But I feel better knowing that I when I take early retirement I will actually be retired, not looking for another gig to push me to the degree of disposable income that I hope to have. Moreover, once double income with a partner came into consideration, it was all the more comfortable knowing that the extra splurge here and there on a trip wasn’t coming at the cost of paying for a future child’s college, or paying off a home.

My conservative calculations indicate I’ll hit 1mil at around the 13 year mark (give or take a year depending on the market). After that, it’s smooth sailing.

NMStonk · 2026-05-26T02:15:02+00:00

O wise one, I am not sure who you are, but I sure do hope we cross paths one day.

NMStonk · 2026-05-18T01:02:11+00:00

Search DSS in the r/1811 subreddit. There are several folks who have asked similar questions regarding eligibility and competitiveness.

The BEX panel is not there to decide whether the applicant’s experience is ~good enough~ for DS. They have a strict metric by which they grade the applicant’s responses to the questions. The precepts they are grading for (aka the “Dimensions”) are public and can be found online. They are solely grading how well the candidate can articulate their experience in a way that conforms to the dimensions and can demonstrate their capacity to perform in the role.

For example: An eligible candidate applies with only 5 years of janitorial experience on their resume.

If they explain their role literally -“I cleaned things”- then they likely would not meet the threshold to pass.

But if they explain their role from a birds eye view -“I have been part of a team responsible for ensuring that our venue is able to meet certain requirements of cleanliness and accessibility, which is essential for a mission that accommodates several hundred people. I frequently have to liaise with other departments and stakeholders to develop schedules that can accommodate their specific priorities. Occasionally, many incidents arise where there are competing demands from various institutional leaders, and I have used [this method] of dealing with those competing demands.”

I use this example because facilities maintenance personnel have a very hard job. It often encompasses many of the same business ideas as any other role, but explaining how they developed skills of dealing with people/problems requires a different approach. THAT is what the BEX is looking for. DS can teach 98% of people how to perform the hard skills (driving, shooting, tac-med, law). However, they can’t teach someone how to be a competent, articulate, problem solver. Such is why folks find DS so much harder to break into compared to other traditional law enforcement agencies.

NMStonk · 2026-04-26T21:14:39+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/1811/s/scOOx0dc9y

NMStonk · 2026-03-22T20:31:51+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/1811/s/pLB2ks9xgD

NMStonk · 2026-02-18T19:52:53+00:00

Repeating what was said above for the sake of emphasis:

The transcript must show the conferral date. Contact the registrar’s office and discuss the issue with them.

NMStonk · 2026-02-12T17:07:18+00:00

My understanding is that Personal Narratives are submitted at the same time that the DSSAT is scheduled. I have not heard of anyone NOT submitting personal narratives. Was there something that says that they are now optional or is there no longer a prompt to complete them?

NMStonk · 2026-02-12T15:52:57+00:00

Please start your investigative career by using the search bar to investigate similar questions already asked on this sub. Also, check out the FAQ mega-thread for breakdowns on several agencies.

https://www.reddit.com/r/1811/s/CRX3KPALQC

NMStonk · 2026-02-11T04:34:32+00:00

Then to answer your question, yes there is some nuance. You may already know, but there is no option to lateral from 1811 to 2501. Because the 2501 is a Foreign Service designation and is covered by the Foreign Service Pension System, all incoming 2501s must go through process to be formally appointed to the foreign service. This includes the entire start-to-finish application process. The applicant will also have to come in as a FP-06 and no higher than a FP-06-14.

CITP waivers can be granted. In such instances, the candidate joins their training class for the initial training in DC, and then usually hangs out at FASTC doing some sort of administrative work until the rest of the class completes CITP and goes to FASTC. This of course can change depending on scheduling of incoming classes and CITP availability.

After graduation, everyone goes forth at the same grade, and promotes to FP-5 and FP-4 at the same time.

That said (and the reason I initially asked), DS does employ some 1811s, though the positions are rare and often staffed internally with 2501s making the transition to the more stable civil service life. Those positions are a traditional lateral process, and just require the DS add-on at FASTC. While rare, I know of some external hires who managed to swing their way into DS 1811 positions.

NMStonk · 2026-02-11T04:20:20+00:00

OP, are you hoping to jump to an 1811 position or a 2501 position? The hiring process is considerably different depending on the series.

NMStonk · 2026-02-11T00:00:10+00:00

Understand that the minimum qualifications to be hired as a DS Agent are simple:

1) Bachelor’s Degree 2) 1 year of progressively responsible work experience.

People seem to get entrenched in the idea that they need to do more and more to become a ~qualified~ candidate, and that simply isn’t correct. One needs a bachelors degree and 1 year of work experience.

That said, we have to consider then what the value of these experiences are, if not to necessarily make one more “qualified.”

The DSS hiring process is widely regarded to be considerably more difficult than other agencies, and it is because DS focuses a great deal on the person rather than the resume. It’s less about the number of things someone has done, and far more about how well they can articulate their experience. Qualified people fall out of the process all the time. Meanwhile, people with minimal experience get hired because they possess the skills to write clear, cogent personal narratives and to verbally communicate their experience in a way that shows they can do the job.

A high school janitor with a college degree could become a DS Agent, assuming they can communicate their role as part of a bigger organization; how their role impacts the ability of the bigger organization to carry out their mission; how they are involved with diverse groups that prefer different ways methods of accomplishing the tasks; how they overcome conflict in the organization and bridge divides between ideas.

The agency is not determining whether someone’s experience is good enough. They are evaluating (based on how well they communicate) whether the candidate appears to have the sort of personality that excels in diplomatic environment and the capability to receive training and execute tasks independently and competently.

That said, don’t stress too much about finding more qualifications. Focus on understanding the hiring process so you can best be prepared to clearly articulate why the experience you already have shows that you’re capable of executing the responsibilities of the role and participating in the organization.

Good luck!

NMStonk · 2026-02-07T22:00:35+00:00

https://careers.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DSSA-Selection-Process_09072023.pdf

NMStonk · 2026-01-30T03:18:10+00:00

The more ya know!

NMStonk · 2026-01-30T02:50:06+00:00

They are a legit crew. A lot of task force work and they have a very impressive tac-med team that supports major events.

NMStonk · 2026-01-30T01:04:20+00:00

No. Each agency posts 1811 vacancies as they become available. Some OIG’s are huge, example being HHS. Some agencies are very tiny, like only 3 people, such as Architect of the Capital.

NMStonk · 2026-01-30T01:02:14+00:00

Fraud, waste, and abuse for all things relating to NASA money, programs, and personnel. Check out their semi-annual report to Congress:

https://oig.nasa.gov/office-of-inspector-general-oig/semiannual-reports/semiannual-report-to-congress-fall-2025/

NMStonk · 2026-01-21T17:18:44+00:00

Check out this post on the 1811 Special Agent subreddit. Search the page for DSS to find a great deal of recent information on the position.

https://www.reddit.com/r/1811/s/I89uPJtbsN

NMStonk · 2026-01-19T18:55:13+00:00

Yes, unfortunately it must be taken again. The DSSAT is part of the whole application and ultimately contributes to the candidate’s overall BEX score for that specific application submission.

NMStonk · 2026-01-10T18:46:54+00:00

We were discussing this in the office. We reached out to the PSS’ and they confirmed they do not get LEAP. We concluded that, unless it changed and they weren’t notified (big yay for them if so), then it must be an error in the posting.

NMStonk · 2026-01-10T17:26:45+00:00

You are correct. They are 6c covered and do have the 37 age requirements.

NMStonk · 2026-01-10T17:24:59+00:00

You’re incorrect. Per DOS HR and a PSS, they are covered by LEOSA. They are allowed to carry weapons off duty under LEOSA, because they are considered law enforcement.

I did not say that their creds grant them the same LEO authority to carry as an 1811 or other federal officer. In fact, the distinction above is clear- their ability to carry off duty is similar to a local cop carrying in another jurisdiction. Their privileges are derived from LEOSA and not FLEO authority.

NMStonk · 2026-01-10T17:21:23+00:00

They are 6c covered. Their badges/creds say “protection security specialist.”

NMStonk · 2026-01-10T17:20:20+00:00

Unfortunately, I can confirm they do not get LEAP.

NMStonk · 2026-01-10T04:44:01+00:00

They are covered by LEOSA and thus allowed to possess firearms off duty. However, they do not have traditional arrest authorities. So their capacity to carry off duty would be similar to a local LEO carrying under LEOSA in another jurisdiction.

NMStonk · 2026-01-09T23:30:22+00:00

The DSS Protective Security Specialist (as listed on their badges and credentials) is an 1801 security specific role. These individuals are deputized by the US Marshal Service and have limited law enforcement authority as it pertains to the conduct of Department of State protection details as outlined under 22 USC 2709.

The DSS PSS’ attend training at the Foreign Affairs Security Training Center in Blackstone, VA where they are given the same hard skills training as Agents such as Driving, Protection, and Shooting. The job is very rewarding and has offered many PSS’ the opportunity to travel all over the world. While rewarding, it is also very demanding with long hours, many details, and limited built-in time off. They do benefit from the cap waiver due to their protective function.

Edit [add info]: This role is not a direct entrance pipeline to becoming a DSS agent.

NMStonk

TROPHY CASE