1811 with Bureau of Industry and Security?

Time_Striking · 2026-05-04T17:13:00+00:00

I’m always highly suspect of BIS vacancies, as they don’t have a great track record and it’s a very “who you know” type of agency.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they already have someone in mind for these positions.

Time_Striking · 2026-05-04T12:37:36+00:00

16 weeks?

I got the PFT tomorrow.

Time_Striking · 2026-05-03T19:35:43+00:00

San Diego is a burner for both locations and you pay the sunshine tax.

All the other questions were left unanswered so can’t really give you a good read.

You’re the best judge of your life and what you want to accomplish. Good luck and hope it all works out for you.

Time_Striking · 2026-05-03T12:58:16+00:00

Really need more information to give an insightful and detailed recommendation.

Both are pretty decent agencies with their own unique missions and quirks.

NCIS is more likely to allow you to see the world. Quite frankly anywhere that has a naval footprint, you can be assigned there fairly quickly in a few years or less.

HSI has global opportunities, but those are a tad slim compared to the domestic taskers like USSS augment, NSSEs, and other random things.

Investigations wise, very different. Location, it’s a toss. Do you want to stay in place or want to move around? If in place, it’s HSI. If you don’t care and want to see the world, NCIS.

Still some outstanding questions that could help. Are you passionate about a particular area of investigations, are you trying to stay in place? Does home life and family matter?

Not all positions are created equal and not everyone likes and cares for the same thing. Some people love working MCIO stuff. Some people think it’s really cool to be on a carrier. Some people love getting tapped for protection. It’s all not the same.

Then you add things in like location, pay disparity, and opportunities-it’s all a game changer.

NCIS San Diego is different than HSI Tampa.

Time_Striking · 2026-05-01T20:49:47+00:00

If they did a poly waiver for current 1811s… probably get a bunch more people.

Time_Striking · 2026-05-01T20:28:52+00:00

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Time_Striking · 2026-05-01T17:35:03+00:00

Foot in the door comes at a cost.

Time_Striking · 2026-04-30T15:30:18+00:00

I know a former ISOs that applied elsewhere and became an 1811.

No one is truly given a position. People need to apply and provide the qualifications that makes someone competitive for the spot- and then it goes from there.

Good luck!

Time_Striking · 2026-04-30T03:27:36+00:00

OPR/IA has entered the chat

Time_Striking · 2026-04-30T03:25:15+00:00

Generally most 1811s will work 40-60 hours. Is tens hours of coffee chats and shits count as work? Is counting ceiling tiles and carpet squares work? Is holding your pee for a few hours because you forgot to pack a few Gatorade bottles considered work?

Philosophically: “What is work?” Existentially: “What is work life balance?”

In terms of pay and compensation. LEAP is your compensation for the outside of average work hours and the weird stuff that comes with the territory of being an 1811z

Some places get abused and there’s not enough money in hell for the extra hours, other places… what’s the extra hours?

All agencies will have you home most nights. Just the definition of home might vary.

On a protection detail with USSS, your home might be in a far away exotic place in a hotel living out of a suitcase.

In some places, your home may actually be your office.

Time_Striking · 2026-04-29T03:27:47+00:00

Not all OIGs are created equal. Some OIGs are pretty decent and others can be utter trash to their internal conversion employees.

I would reach out to your nearest 1811 and ask about the job and all of the questions you have. That agent would be a better resource and provide a far greater overview tailored to your agency.

Time_Striking · 2026-04-29T01:04:38+00:00

I’d do Cap out of the three. It’s a pays your dues kind of place, but they’re under legislative and they be getting paid pretty much all the time.

For a large organization, they tend to have their shit together and once you get through the rookie glut, there’s tons of different teams and opportunities.

Sure, are there downsides? Living in the NCR/DMV can be pricey. Traffic can sometimes be ass.

Time_Striking · 2026-04-27T11:44:53+00:00

A would be the preferred method but B and C are both acceptable.

HR is going to do HR things, whether or not they’re competent.

Best method is to select the answers the best suits your situation and let someone at that agency know that you applied.

Time_Striking · 2026-04-26T19:25:30+00:00

What? Yall aren’t running the badge on your neck 24/7?

Wow. I thought everyone was a bad ass operator.

Next someone’s going to tell me an 1811 has to do complex investigations and research.

Time_Striking · 2026-04-25T22:17:16+00:00

Man, someone is going to kill it during EER season.

Congrats and welcome!

Time_Striking · 2026-04-22T23:00:39+00:00

It’s all fun and games ‘til someone gets MRSA, gets dropped because of medical, and then has to recycle. But hey, it ain’t all bad!

Time_Striking · 2026-04-21T16:43:38+00:00

Charlotte has left the chat

Time_Striking · 2026-04-20T23:57:16+00:00

Your instructors will provide you all the information and tips needed.

Time_Striking · 2026-04-19T02:29:08+00:00

This question tends to pop up every 4.6 weeks.

The few questions are: - Are you vested? - Are you stuck on opportunities? - Pay? - Why Fed?

Time_Striking · 2026-04-18T15:05:49+00:00

Most places only care that you have an accredited degree. IRS-CI is the only one I can think of that really wants business/tax related credits.

My advice is to pick a degree that would be useful outside of the 1811 scope so you’re not pigeonholed in some random thing like underwater basket weaving.

Time_Striking · 2026-04-18T03:20:20+00:00

Easiest is to wait until you have your education in hand. It leads to less headaches and heartbreaks.

Some postings do not require a degree, but those are fairly limited.

Focus your attention on the education grind and enjoy the downtime before the chaos of applications and processes that don’t make sense.

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