Many men and women look to the law enforcement or the government when they transition out of the military. If you are in this boat, but are unsure which path is your priority, you will be happy to know that the government has plenty of law enforcement positions available across multiple agencies.
The list below comes from FederalJobs.net, which states that "most agencies incorporate federal law enforcement jobs in some capacity or another," and that there are more than 40 job series under the category of law enforcement. During your job search, you may also want to consider the occupations that provide direct support these positions.
Related: Search for Law Enforcement jobs.
Law Enforcement Jobs
1. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Falling under the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), working for the FBI means conducting highly sensitive national security investigations, and may include surveillance and undercover assignments. You may take on cases that deal with financial crimes, espionage, cybercrime, and more. Most of these FBI positions require a security clearance and fitness test.
2. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): This agency falls under the DOJ. Working here means enforcing regulations relating to illegal drugs.
3. The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS): Another agency under the DOJ, working here would mean you could work on fugitive operations, prisoner transport, and more.
4. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF): The ATF also falls under the DOJ. The name pretty much says it all here, but to elaborate, you might be an ATF Special Agent or an ATF Investigator. They have field offices across the country.
5. U.S. Department of State Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS): Working here means you have the opportunity to work worldwide. Overseas special agents advise ambassadors and coordinate security. You may also be assigned to investigate passport and visa fraud, if stationed domestically, and protect visiting foreign dignitaries as well as the Secretary of State.
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6. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): A DHS agency, working here means you can work as U.S. Border Patrol agents and enforce import and export laws.
7. Federal Air Marshals (FAMS): Working in this agency (under the Transportation Security Administration of DHS) means you defend against attacks on U.S. aircraft, passengers, and crews.
8. U.S. Secret Service: As we have seen in Hollywood and when visiting Washington, D.C., you may want to work with the Secret Service if you want to help protect the President. What you may not know is that they also protect the "Vice President, their immediate families, and other public officials," and "investigate counterfeiting, forgery of Government checks or bonds, and fraudulent use of credit cards."
9. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Many of the functions previously handled by the Department of the Treasury, Justice, Health and Human Services, Defense, FBI, Secret Service, GSA, Energy, Agriculture, Transportation and the U.S. Coast Guard have been transferred to DHS. If you want to be the “law enforcement of the government” (and by that we mean protecting our government buildings and personnel), you may be interested in the Federal Protective Service.
As you approach your job search with the government, consider these tips. To search for available government jobs, visit the Military.com Government Job Search page.
Related: For the latest veteran jobs postings around the country, including jobs related to government, visit the Military.com Job Search section.
The Next Step: Find the Right Veteran Job
Whether you want to polish up your resume, find veteran job fairs in your area, or connect with employers looking to hire veterans, Military.com can help. Sign up for a free Military.com membership to have job postings, guides and advice, and more delivered directly to your inbox.
