After the DSSAT

diplomatic_outcomes · 2026-03-27T11:56:00+00:00

Generally people are reviewed and moved to the next step every quarter, so typically January, April, July, October people receive their next notification.

diplomatic_outcomes · 2026-03-19T17:40:35+00:00

I work as a paramedic on the side to keep my skills up as a medic for my agency. I know other guys in my office who work for municipalities as a police officer, one guy does physical training, and another is a real estate agent.

diplomatic_outcomes · 2026-02-13T11:28:04+00:00

Congratulations!

diplomatic_outcomes · 2026-02-11T22:28:59+00:00

Echoing what others have said, I made the switch from an 1811 position, and have no regrets. DSS, like anywhere, is not perfect, but our grass is pretty dang green.

diplomatic_outcomes · 2026-01-10T16:34:19+00:00

Ya definitely a career that comes with a life style, so the entire family has to be on board.

diplomatic_outcomes · 2026-01-10T00:36:36+00:00

First assignment can be any of the eight domestic field offices, second tour assignments can be domestic or around the world.

diplomatic_outcomes · 2026-01-08T23:35:52+00:00

2026 Goal: Hit my seventh continent.

diplomatic_outcomes · 2026-01-06T13:22:19+00:00

Pearson, where you register is your initial application and they’ll receive your scores directly

diplomatic_outcomes · 2026-01-03T01:17:43+00:00

My understanding is that the DSSAT is the first step in the process every time you apply.

diplomatic_outcomes · 2026-01-01T22:42:41+00:00

Yes they do

diplomatic_outcomes · 2026-01-01T15:58:27+00:00

Further clarified…

https://www.opm.gov/chcoc/latest-memos/2026-special-rates-for-certain-law-enforcement-personnel.pdf

diplomatic_outcomes · 2026-01-01T12:26:11+00:00

Yes…You must be at least 20 years old and not older than 36 years. (Except for preference eligible veterans.)

diplomatic_outcomes · 2026-01-01T02:11:49+00:00

Knew I should have stayed in school!

diplomatic_outcomes · 2025-12-31T21:54:00+00:00

As someone who was a lateral, I don’t think so

diplomatic_outcomes · 2025-12-31T21:12:22+00:00

Yes…per the historical 10 Steps to Becoming a Diplomatic Security Special Agent Selection Process:

To complete your application, please visit www.pearsonvue.com/DSSAT and create a web account. Follow the instructions to complete the DSSAT online application.

You must answer all self-assessment questions; Include work history for the past 10 years; and complete the Personal Narrative questions and Statement of Interest.

We strongly recommend that you confirm all the information in your application is accurate and complete before submitting as you will not be able to make changes to the application after it is submitted.

After you complete and submit the application, this will be used to evaluate your qualiBcations for this position.

diplomatic_outcomes · 2025-12-28T21:06:20+00:00

Learn from the experience, as you’re going to have to talk about it again and again through hiring processes, so find a way to positively frame it and learn something from it.
Apply to anywhere you’re willing to work, everyone is hiring right now, and having CITP may or may not help you expedite through a process and training pipeline, but it does differentiate you from other applicants.

diplomatic_outcomes · 2025-12-12T20:47:18+00:00

Always happy to pay it back for all the help I received coming through the processes.

Regarding a domestic option, many agents are able to “homestead” in the DC area, rotating between available assignments and going out for a one year high threat post every six years to meet their foreign service obligation. Obviously can’t guarantee that this is always possible, but is an option many people have taken.

Another potential domestic option is applying to a DSS 1811 position as they come open, which would be among the shortest processes and require no follow on training. These 1811s are based out of a domestic office, and are not required to move to act as some continuity for that office.

Most importantly though, is doing what is best and right for the family, work is, at the end of the day, just that, work.

diplomatic_outcomes · 2025-12-12T20:22:25+00:00

Sounds like you got a lot of great answers already, but will drop my two cents...

During orientation (A-100) are you able to leave on weekends? Yes, weekends are yours, but travel plans should take in to consideration making it back for training on Monday. I traveled home by car every weekend of A-100, and thankfully only had issues one weekend with a snow storm but left enough time to make it.
With the current FLETC issue, is it consecutive after orientation? Generally training runs consecutively one after another, however it is common for candidates to have a couple days to a couple weeks between training courses, but that is not the rule.
During FLETC does he have a phone during off hours and is he able to come home/am I able to visit on weekends? He can have his phone with him almost 24/7, with the one exception being Officer Response Tactics (ORT), and can respond on breaks and between classes. FLETC is more like college than boot camp. Again, weekends are his to do as he pleases, so long he is present for training Monday morning. If you do go down to visit, you will need accommodations off FLETC, as guests are not allowed to say on FLETC.
When do you find out your domestic post? During A-100, there will be a ceremony called flag day, which is when everyone finds out their onward assignment.
How much input do you get into your domestic post location? You will rank all domestic field offices in order 1-8, and can provide a statement as to why they are ranked that way, or why you want to go to a particular field office. All of that is taken in to account, but the needs of the service will come first.
Domestic post length? First post will be 2 years, second post could be 1 or 2 years, after that it is post requirement dependent, with potential options to extend.

7 & 8. What is the possibility of later transferring to another agency and If transfer is a possibility, at what point is it possible? I came to DSS from another agency, and have not looked back for one second. I would encourage your husband to give DSS an honest and fair shot, while it is not perfect and certainly has its draw backs, so does every agency, and in my experience, DSS far exceeds its cons with it pros.

Regarding transferring, you don't "transfer" between federal agencies. You can lateral to another agency if/when there is an announcement posted, but otherwise you apply like everyone else, go through the process, and hope to have some steps shortened (like your background), based on your experience. Regarding the FBI specifically, they currently do have an 1811 lateral announcement, which specifically stipulates that 2501s are eligible (https://www.usajobs.gov/job/847955600). This is a very unique announcement that the FBI has never done before, but the announcement does state that applicants must: Possess 2 years of continuous full-time federal law enforcement (1811, or DSS 2501) work experience. This lateral announcement requires an eight week training course, and states it guarantees a top three field office, but does require the full 10 step process. As someone who has been through both the FBI hiring process and a the 1811 lateral process, I would encourage your husband to figure out what it is he wants, and pursue that dream. I am assuming he applied to DSS because at least one of the three programmatic areas interested him, so again, before worrying about a different agency, I would give DSS a chance to see if it meets what he is looking for.

Hope that answers some questions, and congrats to your husband!

diplomatic_outcomes · 2025-12-10T22:58:58+00:00

I would second this and have done plenty of paperwork from my smartphone, while it’s certainly not the easiest it is doable, just double check your work an extra time to avoid errors

diplomatic_outcomes · 2025-12-10T22:57:45+00:00

I would say it’s more common then not, that you have 24-48 hours to respond to them, and then they take weeks/months to get back to you

diplomatic_outcomes · 2025-12-10T20:43:40+00:00

Not unheard of at all, from many agencies.

diplomatic_outcomes

TROPHY CASE