Criminal Justice Careers - FBI Hostage Rescue Team
*Candidates for the position of FBI Special Agent must possess a four-year college degree and three years of professional work experience; be available for assignment anywhere in the FBI's jurisdiction; be between the ages of 23 and 36; be in excellent physical condition with the ability to pass a rigorous physical fitness test; and consent to a complete background investigation, drug test, and polygraph. HRT Operators are Special Agents first, and will have investigative and managerial career opportunities in the FBI following their HRT assignment.
What is HRT?
The FBI's Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) was established in 1983 to be a national level counterterrorist unit, offering a tactical option for any extraordinary hostage crisis or other law enforcement situation that may occur within the United States. Today, HRT responds to the most urgent and complex FBI cases in the U.S. and abroad. It is part of the Tactical Support Branch of the FBI's Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG), and is based at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
The HRT is organized into Tactical Units, each of which is made up of assaulter and sniper/observer Operators. These tactical elements are supported by a Tactical Helicopter Unit, Tactical Mobility Team, logistics, intelligence, communications, and command staffs.
The operational tempo for HRT has been high in the years since the terrorist attacks of 9/11/01. This has required that the staffing of HRT be increased to meet these demands. For the first time, the FBI is seeking candidates with special tactical qualifications, to become Special Agents (SA), and to serve as HRT Operators. This competitive program will be open to candidates with extensive tactical experience. To qualify, candidates must be fully qualified as Special Agents, and possess at least three years of either law enforcement or military tactical experience. Tactical candidates should be in excellent physical condition. Performance on the Special Agent Physical Fitness Test is expected in excess of minimum requirements. Physical fitness is one of the dimensions evaluated in this competitive program. Candidates must also demonstrate motivation and commitment to apply for the HRT when eligible, and to serve on the team if selected. Persons employed under the FBI Tactical SA program will receive accelerated eligibility to attend HRT selection, with possible assignment to the HRT.
To apply for the FBI Tactical Recruiting Program (TRP), applicants must first apply for the FBI Special Agent position using the on-line application. The link to the TRP application is located at the end of the SA application. Those candidates who qualify as SA applicants and the TRP based on the on-line applications, will be scheduled for the Phase I test. Those candidates who pass the Phase I test will then have a telephonic interview with the TRP program manager at HRT to ensure the candidate is fully informed about the TRP as it relates to the SA hiring process, and that the candidate understands all of the ramifications of the program.
Those candidates who pass the telephonic interview will continue their processing as TRP candidates. Those candidates not deemed eligible as TRP candidates will be so informed, and will continue their SA processing under their original critical skills category. Those persons not accepted as TRP candidates, who later become FBI SAs, will be eligible to try out for HRT under existing program guidelines.
You Should Know: TRP candidates must understand that they are applying for the SA position first, and must gain at least two years of FBI investigative experience before receiving transfer to HRT. Selection to HRT is not guaranteed. After completing New Agents Training and being assigned to a field office to gain investigative experience, the candidate must compete for a place on HRT by attending a two-week selection course. HRT Selection tests for physical fitness, firearms skills, problem-solving ability, leadership, team compatibility, and other characteristics deemed essential for an HRT Operator. TRP candidates should understand that, if accepted to HRT, the minimum term is four years. There is no mandated maximum term, assuming continued satisfactory performance. There are promotional opportunities within the HRT structure, as Operators gain experience, to serve as team leaders or in other positions of leadership on HRT. HRT Operators are eligible to return to the field in an investigative role, or may compete for other FBI management positions, after completing the HRT tour.
Tactical Experience Requirements. To qualify for the Tactical Recruiting Program (TRP), you will need to bring some special skills, talents, and experience. All candidates will be rated based on their experience levels, and the most qualified will be eligible for this program. Each candidate will have the opportunity to summarize tactical training and experience in the Tactical Recruiting Program on-line application, which may be accessed after completing the Special Agent application. Here is a snapshot of those qualifications.
Must have at least 3 years of tactical experience in either law enforcement or the military.
Law Enforcement Experience: With a Federal Agency tactical team (This category includes all Military Police.).
Or with a Local/County/State Agency or Department tactical team. - Full-time tactical team experience will carry more weight than part-time experience.
- Completion of continuing education courses in at least three of the following: Basic SWAT ââ¬Â¢ Advanced SWAT ââ¬Â¢ Hostage Rescue ââ¬Â¢ High Risk Arrest ââ¬Â¢ Barricaded Subject ââ¬Â¢ Basic Sniper/Observer ââ¬Â¢ Advanced Sniper/Observer ââ¬Â¢ Tactical Firearms ââ¬Â¢ Mechanical Breaching
Military Experience ââ¬â Army Combat Arms experience. Service in Special Forces Group or Ranger Regiment will carry more weight.
Military Experience ââ¬â Navy Must have served in the Naval Special Warfare Community as a SEAL or Naval Special Warfare Officer.
Military Experience ââ¬â Marine Corps Combat Arms experience.
Military Experience ââ¬â Air Force Must have served in Combat Controller, Combat Rescue (Pararescue), or Tactical Air Control Party fields.
Physical Fitness.
Tactical candidates should be in superior physical condition. Performance on the Special Agent Physical Fitness Test is one of the dimensions scored in this competitive program, and is expected in excess of minimum requirements. Expected performance is in the range of:
50 sit-ups in one minute
50 push-ups
1.5 mile run in 11:30 or less
12 pull-ups
Tactical Candidates who become FBI Special Agents and later attend HRT selection will be required to take the HRT Fitness Test. The Basic HRT Fitness Test consists of pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups, and a two mile run. Minimum standards for HRT selectees are:
12 pull-ups
60 sit-ups in two minutes
50 push-ups
2 mile run in under 14:59
These are minimum standards. HRT candidates should strive to score well in excess of these minimums. The tasks which HRT Operators must be prepared to undertake require excellent physical condition, endurance, and perseverance. HRT selection reflects these requirements, and is very physically and mentally challenging.
FBI Special Agents who are invited to attend an HRT selection course undergo a physically rigorous and mentally demanding evaluation process. HRT selection is designed to identify those candidates with the physical toughness, mental acuity, and strength of character to operate in the demanding counterterrorist environment. Because a relative few possess all of these characteristics, attrition from selection is high.
Specialized Training and Resources. When not deployed operationally, HRT conducts training at the FBI Academy and at sites across the nation. The instruction, simulations, and exercises involve highly specialized counterterrorist tactics and techniques. With leading-edge integrated capabilities, which include aviation, maritime, and ground assets, HRT stands as one of the nation's most sophisticated law enforcement tactical units.
Are you up for the challenge? Being a member of HRT entails great responsibilities as well as great opportunities. HRT members must be ready to deploy on short notice to any location in the United States, or internationally. They perform a wide range of law enforcement tactical functions in all environments, under a variety of conditions. With its enhanced training, resources, and manpower, HRT is designed to confront the most complex of threats. HRT candidates must be ready to make a significant personal and professional commitment. While the selection process, training, travel, and daily operational tempo are highly challenging, equally exceptional are the opportunities to make important contributions to the FBI and to the United States.
Mission profiles include:
Hostage rescue
Barricaded subjects
Helicopter operations
High-risk raids, searches, arrests, and warrants
Mobile assaults
Manhunt and rural operations
Maritime operations
Cold/extreme weather operations
Dignitary protection
Force protection for FBI personnel overseas Assistance to military special missions
Joining the FBI
means embracing an exceptionally rewarding future. It means excelling with an organization of highly talented, ethnically diverse, professional men and women who have a daily impact on the quality-of-life of all U.S. citizens, and who carry out the FBI's ongoing mission:
To uphold the law through the investigation of violations of federal criminal law, and to protect the United States from foreign intelligence and terrorist activities;
To provide leadership and law enforcement assistance to federal, state, local, and international agencies;
And to perform these responsibilities in a manner that is responsive to the needs of the public.
This information was provided by the FBI www.fbi.gov and Criminal Jusitce Careers www.criminal-justice-career.com