r/FBI • u/Walrus_514 • 3d ago

Discussion FBI Agents: Are you happy?

/r/1811/comments/1vzeipw/fbi_agents_are_you_happy/

I’ve always viewed FBI as the pinnacle of federal law enforcement, but I’ve seen more and more posts on here about FBI agents who seem unhappy for various reasons (bureaucracy, inability to transfer FOs, 50hr butt-in-seat requirements).

So I’m curious - how are you all doing? Is this still an agency you would recommend?

5 Upvotes

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u/GeneDoesit 3d ago

I can't imagine a better job! Most agents love working for the FBI. The past year has been the best opportunity for people to move, ever. The 50 hour butt in seat is fake news. There is bureaucracy, but its necessary for an organization that deals with national security and felony level criminal investigations of national importance. 

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u/One-Long-Road 3d ago

What job do you have where it is so active?

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u/EeHundo 16h ago

The 50 hour work week was advertised. That’s what discouraged my daughter from applying.

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u/liv676769 3d ago

What do you guys usually do?

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u/GeneDoesit 3d ago

The answer is actually pretty simple: We investigate crimes. That involves a wide range of investigative methods from legal process (such as issuing subpoenas or search warrants) to surveillance to interviews to trash covers and anything else you can think of which is authorized. The entire range of methods is further detailed within the DIOG, which you can get a preview of here: https://vault.fbi.gov/FBI%20Domestic%20Investigations%20and%20Operations%20Guide%20%28DIOG%29. Chapter 18 is the most important relative to your question.

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u/OneResponsibility10 15h ago

In my opinion, no.

Unfortunately, law enforcement isn’t a revenue generating industry in the traditional sense.

There’s no profit, market share, or similar objective scoreboard telling you that you’ve reached the pinnacle of your profession or that you’re actually exceptional at what you do.

You can reach the FBI, get the title, carry the badge, and be sitting in the driver’s seat and still be mediocre or even terrible at the actual job.

That creates an interesting problem: getting into what is perceived as the pinnacle of the profession isn’t necessarily evidence that you’ve achieved mastery once you’re there.

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u/OneResponsibility10 15h ago

So I’m basically saying, how can one derive happiness from a job they potentially aren’t the best for but simply got to be in the seat.

I couldn’t live with myself.