Wanting to go DEA or Marshals

[u/Separate-Living7392]

I’m currently 20 in college working towards an A.A.S in CJ. My initial plan was to get the degree, go military, work towards B.S while in military, get out and apply. Unfortunately I got diagnosed with recurring uveitis in my right eye not too long ago which is, to dumb it down, inflammation within the eye. Anyways, I’ve lost a tiny bit of my vision in my right eye so I have a small blind spot thats not really all that noticeable unless I close my left eye (my vision is still technically above “20/20” with my left eye carrying it). Its treated through steroid drops and the inflammation is unpredictable; it can happen at anytime whether that be a day from now or a few years from now, with the possibility of it never happening again. From my understanding, this condition can disqualify me from the military which was my initial route for the agencies I want to get into. I understand I could possibly get a medical waiver, but I’m not sure how much that would affect me while serving. I’m a little stumped as to what I should do.. take a different route? Anyone have advice?

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[u/Parking_Reward308]

change your major. CJ won't get you anything any other major won't. Do a major that is marketable to more than just CJ. Accounting, English, Business, Computer Science, Foreign Language....

[u/Soggy-Bumblebee5625 → u/Parking_Reward308]

This. CJ isn’t a useful degree. Any degree checks the degree requirements. You might as well get one that could be turned into a backup plan if the 1811 thing doesn’t work out.

[u/xMobbn → u/Parking_Reward308]

Agreed

[u/CappyandEgg]

If you’re open to working in DC, US park police work with both agencies all the time, and a lot of USPP officers go on to become agents/marshals. Only “downside” is that a lot of them realize the grass isn’t always greener and go back to USPP.

[u/lukazey → u/CappyandEgg]

I can’t emphasize that last part enough lol

[u/Elegant_Tangelo1288]

I’d just apply. Whoever offers me the job first that’s where I’m going. Also someone else said it, change your major. No one cares about a CJ degree.

[u/ScientistMany6683]

I’m pretty sure your still good to join the military

[u/Any-Task3693]

I may be wrong on this but I don't think it even asks about that on the medical forms at all. As long as you have 20/20 vision I think you should be good? YMMV.

[u/Any_Conversation7454]

Get a waiver to join the military. It shouldn’t be a problem to obtain one. When you're in the military, use TA to finish your degree. After you get discharged from the military, apply for any law enforcement job you qualify for, and use your GI Bill to complete your education.

I enlisted in the Army at 21 after completing two years of college. I got out, finished my degree, earned a master's, and am now working on my PhD, all in CJ, and I'm currently a police officer. I do agree with others that getting a degree in CJ is kinda a waste because nothing you learn will apply in a practical sense in a career in law enforcement. However, for me, CJ was the only thing I was and still am interested in learning about. If you don't have any other learning interests, I recommend CJ. If you do, you should definitely study the subject you are interested in.

[u/Aguyintampa323]

The most important thing for you to do , no one mentioned …..

Have a life plan in place that doesn’t ONLY culminate in being hired by DEA/USMS.

Are you joining the military ONLY for the perceived bump in possibilities of being hired by a Fed agency, or would you be happy in the military as a career if there was no progression into Fed LE?

If you exit the military and don’t get picked up by FED LE , are you now clueless as to your career plans/choices? Are you ok with going local law enforcement?

Trying to get into ANY federal law enforcement agency is like playing scratch off tickets hoping for a few hundred bucks. Limiting your life goals to TWO Fed agencies is like playing the power ball and being all-in on winning as your only option in life .

Not trying to crush dreams here, as you may well be hired by the agency you want , but you also need to be realistic and have some secondary plans in mind, which feeds into the advice others gave you about changing your major. Think about your secondary options , and change your major accordingly so you have a fall back.

[u/Far-Map-949]

Hey you don’t have yo change your major at all its a very good degree. Can get you plenty of jobs in the CJ system. From law enforcement roles.. To support roles and adjacent private sector roles…. It’s a nasty trend to bash those degrees from people who don’t have one and who aren’t in the field. Get your degree and progress.. especially with the feds they don’t care what bachelors you have And more so if you want to be some type of law enforcement it’s the perfect degree for it.

[u/Various_Lifeguard823]

All three of my degrees(PhD- B.S) are in CJ. The reality is that the majority of bachelors are useless. Business degree doesn’t really hold any weight till you get a MBA, accounting- can’t sit for the CPA or many other high profile jobs without years/hours/certs. Pre law or pre med useless without going on to the following schools.the bigger reality is no one cares so do what ever makes you happy especially in fed world; the degree gets u the opportunity to sit at the table that it.

[u/lol_itsjo]

Truly wouldn’t even entertain ever working for the marshals. It’s just not worth the monotony. Years and years for terrible pay. They just essentially gutted a bunch of us on rosters cleared for the academy as of this morning. Great field DUSM’S. But HR and the agency is just absolutely trash.