I would like to know as much information as I can get regarding a day in the life of an FBI agent.  I recognize there is no "typical" description, but, maybe average hours worked?  How many weekends worked per quarter?  I am no stranger to long hours as an ex-Army officer, however, I have the grand task of being grilled by a significant other as to the impact being selected will have on our relationship.  I am scheduled for the panel interview soon, and while the process is far from complete, and I am as far from Quantico as when I started, still, my answers to her questions involve no firsthand information.  Also, any tips for the panel interview or writing portion are appreciated as well.  Thanks in advance for any answers provided.

Thanks for the response.  Actually, I am getting in touch with an agent this week.  I have posted on several sites to get as much info as possible.  Also, the FBI site just gives you the "warm and fuzzy" paragraph...good, but insufficient.  I found this site while researching concerns I had about the poly and just thought I'd give it a shot.

Thanks so much for taking a few minutes....I am cutting and pasting your response to her now.  If you have first hand experience...here are a few other things...

first assignment- I imagine much like the military this would be a crap shoot, but are there greater needs in one location verses another?  My interests lie in DC or KC, Missouri or Dallas Texas.  Secondly, while this is not of primary concern, pay increases....I would take a 22K cut right now to follow this dream, and while worth it, I have some support requirements that I must plan for.  How quick do increases come...Step1 to Step3, etc.?  Thanks again!

Mustang6,

A few additional thoughts to that of what has already been offered to you...  I highly concur with Guest's general enthusiasm for a law enforcement career--in particular you are to be envied if you are to enter into service with the Bureau.  Unless things have changed in the almost year since I retired from the Bureau (and following 9/11/01 many things have), you will begin as a GS-10.  During the 16 weeks of new agent training you will not receive the availability pay that Guest spoke of, but will upon reporting to your first office.  Over the next 5 to 7 years (has changed over the years) you will progress to the journeyman street agent investigator level of GS-13.  Your desires, aptitude and the availability of management/executive positions will determine to what degree you receive promotions following that (up through Senior Executive Service (SES) level 6).   

“The needs of the Bureau” in addition to your desires and those of your family largely determine your first office assignment as well as many other assignments within the Bureau.   At various times, new agents were initially sent to top 10 or 12 (large offices) and at other times to small offices.  This changed with some frequency over the period of my 25-year career.  No doubt the needs of the Bureau have been affected by 9/11 and related activities and the increased personnel resources devoted to counterterrorism within the Bureau.  As has been suggested to you by the others, those involved in applicant recruitment within your local Bureau Field Division or Resident Agency will be your best source of current detailed information.  Best of luck to you...

Drew Richardson

Mustang6,

I'm glad you found the information I provided to be helpful.  I'm afraid I can't offer you very much useful information about the panel interview.  That, amongst many other things, is an addition (actually a substitution) to the applicant process that I took part in some 27 years ago.  I suppose as a result of wise guys like me, they have decided to introduce psychological testing into the mix.   Additionally, with various changes that have taken place in the candidate pool, it apparently has become necessary to do some prescreening in connection with physical training and firearms issues.

With regard to polygraph screening (to include the Bureau's program), a very casual reading of my message-board posts, and, in particular, my last response to Public_Servant under a separate thread, should make it quite clear that I have very strong views on the subject.  You have characterized yourself as a former Army officer who will receive notification by the 3rd of August regarding travel arrangements to Kansas City for a panel interview.  Assuming this information to be correct, you may well have sufficiently identified yourself to the Bureau as to want to be able to honestly say, if asked, that you had not received any specific information from me regarding polygraph exams.  I don’t think they’ve generally introduced this as a sacrifice relevant question—YET.    This, of course, does not preclude you from generally obtaining this information from other sources.  Again, best wishes and please keep us posted with regard to the process you will undergo.  No doubt, many of the readers of this site will be interested.  Best Wishes,

Drew Richardson

PS  I will be off-line for the next 2 hours, but would welcome your response via private email, or thru this site.  My sincere thanks for your time, and responses.

M6