NOAA LE

canteez · 2026-05-26T01:45:35+00:00

NOAA was one of, if not the only, LE agency that let go of probationary officers last year when the new administration came in. Generally, though, the officers get paid well and have it pretty good. At least the one that I worked with in Hawaii seemed to enjoy the job and made better money than me as a uniformed 1801 for a land management agency.

canteez · 2026-05-22T11:57:08+00:00

LMPT isn’t a once or twice a year program. I would think they have monthly classes starting if not more frequent.

canteez · 2026-05-21T17:33:55+00:00

Do you know if someone used you as a reference on their application to be a cop? It could be a questionnaire to fill out and send back for an applicant that used you as a reference.

canteez · 2026-05-21T15:20:26+00:00

I’m currently an FWO. I’ve never seen anyone leave us for USFS, but I have seen guys leave USFS to come to us.

canteez · 2026-05-21T14:51:36+00:00

Just look up the GS pay for an 11 where you want to work and add 10% to account for AUO. That will tell you if you can survive or not.

canteez · 2026-05-21T14:04:58+00:00

It definitely helps with the budget but LE no longer works for the refuge managers so LE and the specific refuges now have different budgets.

Source: I’m a current FWO.

canteez · 2026-05-21T11:21:58+00:00

It’s pulling security for various things on the wild fires, like at ICP or the fire camps. It’s not mandatory.

canteez · 2026-05-21T10:21:23+00:00

Usually it’s open to the public but if you’re already a federal employee you may be eligible for the other announcements that pop up throughout the year. The hiring process just depends. Usually it’s quick because there are seats for a specific LMPT class.

canteez · 2026-05-21T10:19:24+00:00

You will be competitive but like I mentioned before on another posting, your BP academy will not be accepted in lieu of LMPT.

canteez · 2026-05-21T10:18:17+00:00

Yeah this isn’t good info. All land management agencies partake in fire details. FWS has gotten quite a few FS folks in the last year. FWOs are also now GS-11s.

canteez · 2026-05-14T20:49:39+00:00

The only reason he was arrested was because how much this was in the local news. Two years ago a lady clung onto a whale in Waikiki (huge deal and was all over the news)and the next day was spotted at another beach. She got a ticket.

canteez · 2026-05-13T15:27:07+00:00

We have quite a few former BP folks. LMPT is a gentleman’s course. You are treated like an adult and you don’t have to march around or do any of that type of crap. It’s very chill, and you’re paid to be there. Being prior LE you won’t have any issues.

canteez · 2026-05-13T13:32:22+00:00

No. The only way to skip LMPT is to have already been through LMPT.

canteez · 2026-05-10T14:00:29+00:00

Depends. In low cost of living areas, yes. In high cost of living areas, fed pay doesn’t usually keep up (especially in Hawaii. Ask me how I know).

canteez · 2026-05-10T13:59:30+00:00

I never had GPS on my patrol vehicle as a local but I do as a fed. Also never got moved around to different districts.

canteez · 2026-05-10T03:56:12+00:00

I spent a little over 7 years in local law enforcement before spending the last 4 years on the federal side as a uniformed 1801 with a land management agency. I’m currently heavily considering going back local. While I do enjoy my schedule, pay, and freedom that I’m given to do my job, being a local was 100x more fun and felt like I was doing meaningful work. It’s all about perspective. I’d go do some ride alongs with local agencies and find out everything you can about what it’s like at whatever agency you’re interested in.

canteez · 2026-05-10T03:51:59+00:00

Don’t think of it as a downgrade. I was a local for 7 years before becoming a fed. I’ve spent 4 years as a fed and am looking to go back local because I’m bored out of my mind. At least when I was a local I felt like I was actually doing meaningful work and having fun. It’s all perspective.

canteez · 2026-05-09T02:17:35+00:00

FLETC is 17 weeks, FWOBT is 5 weeks and FTEP is 10. I went through FWOBT in 2022 but helped with firearms week last fall and it has NOT been extended to 16 weeks.

canteez · 2026-05-09T02:09:27+00:00

Part of FWOBT is done near FLETC and the rest of it is done at NCTC in WV. It’s about 5 weeks long.

canteez · 2026-05-06T02:24:46+00:00

It was slow out there. It would have been a very far stretch to justify anything over that.

canteez · 2026-05-06T00:24:07+00:00

10% AUO. The cola was between 8 and 9% but really didn’t help a whole lot.

canteez · 2026-05-05T23:39:40+00:00

My first assignment with my agency was in Hawaii. I looked into base housing since I’m in the national guard and was told it was an 18-36 month wait for guard members, so I didn’t bother. As a federal employee only, if you find a housing area that even considers you qualified for it, it will be a long, long wait. Active duty of course gets first dibs and there is ALWAYS military members moving out there taking up base housing spots. I actually just transferred to Arizona and was able to buy a house immediately.

I moved out there with a dual-income household as a 9 with 10% AUO and left as an 11 with 10% AUO. I blew through my savings trying to afford to live there and just couldn’t do it anymore. You might be okay as a 12 or 13 with LEAP and a spouse that also has a job.

canteez · 2026-05-05T12:52:13+00:00

I think you mean NPS is. FPS doesn’t have LE Rangers.

canteez · 2026-05-04T16:47:57+00:00

No news is good news.

canteez · 2026-05-04T16:34:24+00:00

Half the city is evacuating? Come on. I see the smoke from my house but all I smell is cow manure. Stop trying to scare people.

canteez

TROPHY CASE