Becoming a U.S. Marshal

[jpainter187]

I'm searching for as much info and as many opinions as I can on the subject at hand. Let me explain... I'm almost 21, and currently going to UT Tyler as a Junior, seeking a bachelors in Marketing because I wanted to one day own and operate my own firearms store. However, I just took the class for my CHL this past weekend and decided I'd like to have a job that's exciting and requires me to carry a gun while I'm still young.

I'm now considering changing my major to criminal justice. I know to become a US Marshal they require that I have previous experiece, so I'm considering joining the Air Force in order to get that. As far as I know, UT Tyler does not currently hold a CSCEP agreement with the USMS, so would most likely have to move to Brownsville or Edinburgh, TX in order to go through their "Centralized Student Career Experience Program."

I'm also trying to take into consideration the pay involved as a US Marshal, mainly because I just got married and want to provide for my wife and kids (even though I don't plan on having any children for awhile). Also, could anyone give me specific examples of tasks that are carried out on a day-to-day basis as a US Marshal?

Any other similar career suggestions would also be appreciated.

[Bearcreek]

Possibly a Texas Ranger?

[jpainter187]

Originally Posted by Bearcreek

Possibly a Texas Ranger?

Don't think I'd be too interested in becoming a Texas Ranger. Plus they require you have 8 years of previous experience.

[KrayzieVanh]

You could try starting out with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. They are hiring at every institution. The saying for us is that "it will put your foot in the door". Training wise you'd be going to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, GA. This is also where the Marshals train. You may be able to get a few contacts and build a little networking. In the BOP you can also do extra training like BPT (Basic Prisoner Transport) which will introduce you to transporting inmates (basically what the Marshals do). They also have bus and I think air training. After a year or so you can apply at the Marshals, FBI, DEA, USPO, CIA or anything Federal. Just try not to get complacent and keep your eye on where you what to go.

Oh, you said you started a family, depending on your field location (region) you may be traveling pretty far and leaving your family behind for a few days. The Marshals do a lot of picking up and dropping off (inmates/pre-trial from institution to institution, or to court, etc.)

[Harris]

It sounds like you might want to do some more research about the Marshal's Service. By and large "exciting" it ain't. The Marshal's Service exists to carry out orders of the federal courts. This means a lot of court security functions (often not direct, but logistic support); and a whole lot of prisoner transportation. This takes a couple of forms. One is ensuring that every prisoner required to appear in court is in the right courtroom at the right time, doesn't escape, and gets back where they belong when the appearance is over. The Marshal's Service also operates what is in essence an airline for the transportation of prisoners about the country, supporting law enforcement efforts both for the federal government and state and local government (for agencies smart enough to take advantage of the service).

Finally, carrying out court orders involves a fair amount of service of process. The Marshals definitely do work a fair amount of direct fugitive apprehension, but this a small portion of their overall mission.

In short, it is not the movies. It's a good job and an important job, but make sure it's the job for you before going too far.

Harris

[Conceyted]

With utmost respect intended, why are you thinking you need a marketing degree to own and run a firearms store? You could have done so without a degree or even going to college. Also, the fact that you are a junior and looking to change your major again might be a fairly bad idea. I don't know how many extra classes you will have to take, but it will definitely extend your date of graduation out at least a semester or two. Not to be nagging, but why didn't you think more and do more research about this until now?! You sure waited quite a while to decide what you wanted to do. Lastly, researching the internet will really help you make your decision. Posting here was a good idea, but also make google your friend. There are websites out there with TONS of information on any and every career you might be interested in.

[utmatt03]

Originally Posted by Conceyted

With utmost respect intended, why are you thinking you need a marketing degree to own and run a firearms store? You could have done so without a degree or even going to college. Also, the fact that you are a junior and looking to change your major again might be a fairly bad idea. I don't know how many extra classes you will have to take, but it will definitely extend your date of graduation out at least a semester or two. Not to be nagging, but why didn't you think more and do more research about this until now?! You sure waited quite a while to decide what you wanted to do. Lastly, researching the internet will really help you make your decision. Posting here was a good idea, but also make google your friend. There are websites out there with TONS of information on any and every career you might be interested in.

I agree changing you degree now will be a bad idea imo. I am a recent grad with a cj degree and am in the final step of a police department and am currently working Nuclear Security. I wish I would have gone to school for a different degree but it is what it is. Most agencies look for a degree major is just another thing to look at. Many federal agencies look for degrees in business; accounting and the like. Not that a cj degree is bad but it is not necessary for most agencies.

[jpainter187]

Originally Posted by Conceyted

With utmost respect intended, why are you thinking you need a marketing degree to own and run a firearms store? You could have done so without a degree or even going to college. Also, the fact that you are a junior and looking to change your major again might be a fairly bad idea. I don't know how many extra classes you will have to take, but it will definitely extend your date of graduation out at least a semester or two. Not to be nagging, but why didn't you think more and do more research about this until now?! You sure waited quite a while to decide what you wanted to do. Lastly, researching the internet will really help you make your decision. Posting here was a good idea, but also make google your friend. There are websites out there with TONS of information on any and every career you might be interested in.

I originally started at a junior college and got my associates in business administration. I know college degrees don't promise anything but they open up more oportunities for you. Plus I got government grants of around $2400 a semester when my classes only cost about $600... So I was pretty much being paid to do go to school, which I still am. Although, now going to a university I only get about $2200 a semester in grants, on top of $826 each month during the semester from my dads VA benefits.

This is my first semester at this University so it's not like I'm too far along. Plus, the classes I'm taking this semester aren't Marketing specific and can be transfered to a CJ degree. So I actually wouldn't graduate any later than I would now.

And most people don't always do what they dreamed of growing up as a kid, and since people change over time, so do their desires. Obviously you aren't "most people."

[Conceyted]

When you mentioned you were at University as a Junior I automatically assumed you had takes some classes towards a degree. If you have some time for change then you are doing the right thing about thinking about it now before it's too late.

[jpainter187]

Originally Posted by utmatt03

I agree changing you degree now will be a bad idea imo. I am a recent grad with a cj degree and am in the final step of a police department and am currently working Nuclear Security. I wish I would have gone to school for a different degree but it is what it is. Most agencies look for a degree major is just another thing to look at. Many federal agencies look for degrees in business; accounting and the like. Not that a cj degree is bad but it is not necessary for most agencies.

Thanks for the info. I was just going by what the USMS website says, which says in order to do the CSCE Program one has to be, "...pursuing degrees in criminal justice, political science, psychology, public administration, sociology, or social sciences with a concentration in one of the majors listed."