You will be dealing with very dangerous people and very dangerous chemicals in very dangerous circumstances. You should know what these people do, what they are dealing what the drugs do to people, jail sentences and the prices and well basically everything about the system. It will test your physical prowess and your mental agility. It won’t be glamorous. At the end of the day, you’ll pine for the days of flipping burgers. This is not for the faint of heart.
You must have a valid driver’s license at the time of application.
Your Bachelor’s degree would be best served in finance, accounting, computer technology, engineering or a foreign language. However, degrees in criminal justice or police science will also be received well. Your Grade Point Average (GPA) should be 2. 95 or higher regardless of your degree.
Again, it is possible to be a DEA fresh out of college with no experience. Both are viable options and both paths have had people who have succeeded. It’s merely a personal choice.
The PTT is comprised of pull ups, sit-ups, push ups, a shuttle run, and a 2-mile run. There is minimal time for rest between tasks and a minimum score must be achieved to pass.
S/He will probably make you very aware of the career path and its realities. They are not trying to deter you from pursuing this; they are trying to ensure you’re going in with as accurate a picture as possible.
If you’re looking for a really scholarly read on the DEA’s hiring procedures, all the question you could possibly have are answered in the document you can find here.
We’ve already covered what the PTT will be comprised of in the aforementioned section – now it’s time to put that preparation to practice. If you don’t pass this, you won’t be able to continue onto BAT. You’ll be eligible to reapply in a year.
There will be a psychologist on staff who will help you clarify any answers if need be. They are there to assist and will be present and available when your test is being processed. If you’d like to talk to them, they’d love to help. Some of the questions on the MMPI are straight up silly. “Do you often see ghosts?” is just one example. Often the same question is repeated in different forms and they are testing for consistency.
This will include obtaining information focusing on your personal history and education, personal and professional references, in addition to your work history.
You’ll be studying undercover, surveillance and arrest techniques, defensive tactics and firearms training. In addition, you’ll learn the basics of report writing, law and drug identification and recognition. Apart from the mental aspect, you will constantly undergo intense physical training. It’s basically boot camp. Your superiors will rip into you, cutting out the fat from the meat, if you will. If you don’t have the perseverance and fortitude to withstand the verbal and physical abuse, you won’t make it. During the first month or so, trainees usually drop like flies.
DEA agents will have to interview witnesses, collect evidence, and facilitate sting operations when required. Completing the investigation will involve written reports, wrapping up cases.
It is possible that you could eventually be assigned to a task in a foreign office maintained by the DEA. They have 87 foreign offices in 63 different countries. Agents go wherever drug enforcement laws affecting the US must take them. If you have a family, consider the fact that you may be required to travel on a moment’s notice.
