DEA 2019 applicants

[dk_wsmg]

Current recruiters have stated you do not need any LE experience to apply and get pushed through. At my info session, out of 100 people, only 20 or so of us had LE experience. So you're fine. Apply and as long as you're invited to the MAC, they've combed over your resume and deem you worth of going through the process.

Appreciate the response, nonotnow. It's getting exciting when I think about applying. Now it's just tuning out others' opinions and sticking to the grind. Thanks again. Hope you are well.

[ArthurMorgan]

my bi was completed last wed, and sent back to dea/doj...what happens now?

[amb1424]

Who told you it was complete? My recruiter told me today that is the only thing I’m waiting for

[ArthurMorgan]

I called OPM/DCIA

[littlemoose]

New poster. I’ve been moving through the process and just had my panel last week. Was told I passed immediately after - curious how long it took to receive the COL via email following passing the panel? Good rapport with my recruiter but don’t want to be too eager and follow up too prematurely...

[nonotnow]

Have you finished the MAC yet? Pt test and written? Once you finish all 3 steps you can get a COL the same day or up to a couple weeks.

[littlemoose]

Thanks - sounds like there’s no standard timeline unfortunately! I didn’t do the MAC, but completed all steps as one-offs due to COVID.

[Squall]

I did all of the steps individually rather than the MAC route and I received my COL about a month after I passed the PT.

[TXFL1987]

Hello. I know I ask this question once a month and I do not want to email my recruiter except as a last resort ( do not want to come off as a pest). I am a 2019-2 applicant. My e-QIP was submitted in December / Jan of 2020. However, OPM stated they have not received any e-QIP requests on my behalf. I have not heard from my recruiter and have not moved along in the process since the submission of my e-QIP in the above-listed timeframe. I have tried reaching out to the individual who sent the e-QIP. Voice mail every time. The polygraph was scheduled for July but canceled due to a spike in COVID-19 cases in my state. I do not want to phone the individual in charge of polygraphs. Again, do not want to come off as a pest. I am just stuck and wondering if now is the appropriate time to email my recruiter? July 2019, was my year into the process.

[nonotnow]

If someone's stating they didn't receive something, I'd hit up who I need to hit up. Its not pestering if they're expecting you to complete something.

[CajunLEO]

Well, today was suppose to be the closing of the job posting 2020, but I just checked and it has been extended to the end of the year?

any clue why?

[nonotnow]

Where do you see the job posting? My guess is they didn't get enough qualified applicants

[CajunLEO]

DEA.gov they have it buried into the special agent section and you have to click a link

[nonotnow]

Oh cool found it.

[InsideScoop]

Hate to ask this question but maybe someone can answer it. Is adderall (unprescribed) considered an illegal drug? I know that is illegal, but adderall isn’t illegal. Wondering if it would have to be 10 years prior to the opening of the application date for dea?

[nonotnow]

They specifically state any prescription drug taken within the guidelines of how its prescribed then you're fine. If you took any Rx drug that wasn't prescribed to you thats like doing any other illegal drug and youll have to disclose it. Im unsure on their guidelines for what's DQ and whats not.

[CajunLEO]

Yes. It is illegal

[InsideScoop]

Thank you guys. It was over 10 years ago but not 10 years prior to the date of job posting. I’ll have to wait for the next posting to give it a try.

[nonotnow]

Don't get discouraged. They will need agents for the foreseeable future.

[CajunLEO]

Anyone have insight on a tattoo policy?

[preacherman]

I don’t there is one besides hands and face/neck most likely. Pictures on their websites show SA’s tatted up

[StephLova]

I have neck and hand tattoos. I am on the DEA task force and im done with the process. As long as its nothing vulgar, your good. Good luck.

[jorgemal1030]

Please excuse my ignorance, I'm new to the process and I'm not familiar with the abbreviations used in this forum. For instance
what is COL?

[nonotnow]

Conditional offer letter. Basically states hey we like you and think we wanna hire you. But you still gotta pass some more steps and its not guaranteed.

[preacherman]

Anyone from 2019-2 still waiting? It’s been silent for me since June when I took the poly. No BI interview yet. Is this normal? Called OPM/DOD and they only have my BI from 2016.

[amb1424]

I am finished with the process. My BI was complete in May but has not been received by the DEA my recruiter said. Not sure why. I am just waiting to go to hiring panel.

[Epicthrower]

They haven't even started my BI. Still waiting on everything post COL.

[decleator]

Has anyone who gotten a final offer recently been offered Florida as a duty location?

[nonotnow]

Usually from what I've heard, Florida is extremely popular and isn't offered to new agents much. Hell the SE in general is popular.

[nonotnow]

For those that have taken the PT post covid,for push ups do they put a fist under your chest or just watch you?

[Cgreen]

Yeah they did. Took my pt test a couple weeks ago, and they put their fists under your chest for everyone right when you start. Luckily I passed, but I was the only one in my group who passed.

[nonotnow]

Thanks guys I appreciate the info.

[Epicthrower]

Recruiter was very stingy when it came to my push ups. I would hit 90 degrees and they wouldn't count it. I have longer arms so I have more room to travel. Had to get into the habit of just hovering over the ground for my push-ups to count. It's funny though cause i would watch the next guy and his push-ups were clearly not as low as mine. Just depends on the mood of whoever is testing you I guess.

[nonotnow]

Absolutely agree epicthrower

[NYC1175]

I know you have to submit an application package to the division recruiting email. Did ya'll email the recruiter and ask for an occupational questionnaire before sending your resume? Or did you send your resume first?

[Levithane]

Sent resume and transcripts, and drug questionnaire initially if my memory serves correctly.

[SushiLover]

I submitted my application 2 months ago and received an email about a month ago letting me know my name is on a list for an upcoming PT test. When they call me, how soon can I expect the test to be administered? I've been training but I don't want to risk injuring myself if they are going to call me and say, "your PT test is in two months". In your experience, what was the time frame?

Also, for anyone who's taken the PT test, is it possible to score 0 or -2 points on the sprint (52.5 and over), but still pass the PFT having scored over 12pts? or do you have to get 1pt in every event? The Basic Agent Training Guide is conflicting on that information. Thanks!

[greatness33]

I talked to a couple of guys out of the academy and they said they like for you to go into the academy scoring at least 20pts, because your scores will drop for push ups and sit-ups depending on the instructors. They said the one thing, they will not mess with, are the times for the runs.

[nonotnow]

do you know how many times you're tested? I figured the first week you're there you are but wasn't sure if theres follow up ones

[Levithane]

you get tested 3 times while there from what I was told if I recall correctly.

greatness33 See I can understand them taking points off for incorrect form. Unfortunately I'm cynical and it seems like they prefer 20 because one proctor magically sees you do 1 sit up even though you went all the way up 4 times. This is by no means saying you shouldn't be in shape, but it seems like you're at the mercy of the subjectivity gods to some degree.

[greatness33]

nonotnow, yeah said around 3 times and the first one is when you arrive at the academy the first day and
Levithane that's true, they said some instructors are just mean for no reason and tend to take reps off of push ups and sit ups.

[nonotnow]

Look at the bottom of the chart.

[Epicthrower]

I'm no Olympic sprinter, but its possible to get the higher scores. Started out at 47.8 then dropped it down to 43.2 seconds on my last PT test. Don't get discouraged just keep working hard. Biggest advice i can give you during the sprint is just keep running and don't stop if you feel yourself slowing down run harder. This of course is on top of working out and practicing if you have the chance.

[Levithane]

Theres a lot of factors that come into play with the sprint. I ran mine in like 48 seconds on the second try, first time I failed it at 54 seconds IIRC. Went to my gym, got evaluated and put on a regime, implemented it and it helped me pass the second time.

First time I ran mine I had to jump over a soccer ball that got kicked into the track lanes, I didn't switch to lane one to have a shorter distance, I stayed in lane 2 the entire time which netted me 54 seconds. The both times I did the PT test we had civilians spread around the track too. 2nd time I took it the distance was measured, as the track itself was apparently longer than 300 meters. You need to be in shape to do it, but you also have to be smart about how you do the 300m sprint.

[nonotnow]

Running over a soccer ball? Why doesn't that surprise me. When I wss practicing sprints I knocked a kid over at the track in lane 1, thats a 100k job im running for! Shouldn't be hanging in the lanes kid.

Our proctors measured out 300m for both lane 1 and 2 so we didn't get shafted.

So tip I learned and excited to use on the sprint, might not be new to anyone. Run on thr balls of your feet not your heels. Looked up a couple articles and all the Olympic sprinters do it. Probably common sense but im hoping to knick off a second or two by switching.

[Levithane]

I mean generally every time I have gone to the track near me, there is constantly lack of basic track courtesy. IE if you aren't doing runs, or high intensity work outs, then you should stay on the outer perimeter of the track. I make sure to do that whenever I go to the one near me I only use the inner lanes if I'm running.

The 2nd PT I had there was on more than 1 occasion where I noticed people in the inner lanes (1,2, and 3) and they would be walking in almost perfect unison. So in order to combat that you would have to cut into 4, 5 or 6 to go around them, then get back into lane 1 to have a passing time. Mind you this all took place in the morning, I was genuinely shocked how many people weren't working and were just at the public track.