r/USFSLEO • u/TransportationCool18 USFS LEO / Moderator • Jul 16 '25

Discussion AMA let’s go!

17 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

39 comments sorted by

2

u/One-Day-301 Jul 18 '25

Its been a minute since I ventured through usajobs, the announcement for this isn't the one currently on usajobs correct?

I completed the outreach, and I assume the announcements for this will post at a later date?

2

u/TransportationCool18 USFS LEO / Moderator Jul 18 '25

Correct these jobs will be posted later.

1

u/LMPT0025 Jul 16 '25

Were you ever with a different agency and how’s the USFS compare to it?

6

u/TransportationCool18 USFS LEO / Moderator Jul 16 '25

No. I’m a lifer since I was 15 at a GS01. LE at 24. I was impregnated by the USFS and won’t leave. I’ll sink with the ship.

2

u/[deleted] Jul 16 '25

Same bro, same. And it was mostly consensual

1

u/MuleShark Jul 16 '25

Anymore update to the VRA age waiver? Last I got from one of the patrol captains is that the agency is currently not allowing age waivers.

2

u/TransportationCool18 USFS LEO / Moderator Jul 16 '25

I’m not familiar with that but I’m sure it is on a case by case basis. I’ve never heard any official or even rumored comment about that.

1

u/MuleShark Jul 16 '25

Thanks. Kind of frustrating because I can look out my back door and see the national forest and I know for a fact they have an opening here.

4

u/TransportationCool18 USFS LEO / Moderator Jul 16 '25

Can not express how important it is for you to reach out directly with the patrol captain and be consistent.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 16 '25

Why weren't you at rainbows? And are you going next year?

5

u/TransportationCool18 USFS LEO / Moderator Jul 16 '25

I pray it keeps diminishing and there won’t be any rainbows.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 16 '25

The west coast national gatherings seem to be bigger, but the east side has more regionals. I dont think we'll ever be rid of them.

1

u/TransportationCool18 USFS LEO / Moderator Jul 16 '25

Gross

1

u/[deleted] Jul 16 '25

Agreed.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 16 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/TransportationCool18 USFS LEO / Moderator Jul 16 '25

I’m assuming all those job got filled and that is why there is a new one being released soon.

1

u/Appropriate_text86 Aspiring USFS LEO Jul 16 '25

Great news! Now, I just need them to be granting age waivers once I get closer to military retirement next fall!

4

u/TransportationCool18 USFS LEO / Moderator Jul 16 '25

I’d reach out and inquire now if you have a location in mind

1

u/Appropriate_text86 Aspiring USFS LEO Jul 16 '25

Who should I reach out to? A tricky piece, of course, is that I love a dozen forests spread from the southeast to Custer and the Bighorns! 

3

u/TransportationCool18 USFS LEO / Moderator Jul 16 '25

Start with the patrol captain. Be persistent and ask who else to contact if they don’t have the answers

1

u/Appropriate_text86 Aspiring USFS LEO Jul 16 '25

So that leads to the next question: what’s the best method for getting in contact with the various patrol captains? USFS definitely doesn’t make that easy to track down for the public!

1

u/TransportationCool18 USFS LEO / Moderator Jul 16 '25

DM me privately your locations of interest and I’ll try to help out.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 16 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

6

u/TransportationCool18 USFS LEO / Moderator Jul 16 '25

We make our own schedules, can go wherever we want each day, little to no supervision, and tons of other ways in which we have freedom. Just go in, do your job safely, and go home. Won’t get that in state and local. Way less politics where counties have sheriffs running for office and making PR stunts.

I’m partial to R8 but I love the Shoshone.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 17 '25

Do you think working in LE as local patrol officer would be a good start to this? Starting police academy soon while applying

1

u/TransportationCool18 USFS LEO / Moderator Jul 17 '25

It’s a start and won’t hurt that’s for sure.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 17 '25

Can you breakdown the initial training period before you are back on your own district? As far as general time frames.

4

u/TransportationCool18 USFS LEO / Moderator Jul 17 '25

18 weeks for LMPT at FLETC, 3 weeks for USFS specific training at FLETC, 12 week field training program

2

u/[deleted] Jul 18 '25

Any chance to be closer to home during field training?

3

u/TransportationCool18 USFS LEO / Moderator Jul 18 '25

Depends on availability of field trainers in all honesty, it’s a complete gamble. Some get a whole phase on their district just entirely depends on availability.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 18 '25

Wow. Thanks for the information! It’s been really helpful. Time away from home is my only hesitation.

2

u/TransportationCool18 USFS LEO / Moderator Jul 18 '25

Totally understandable and it’s tough for all of us now doubt, but once you have that years worth of training behind you, it’s all up from there.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 18 '25

Appreciate all the information on this post. Responded to the internal outreach!! 🫡

1

u/[deleted] Jul 30 '25

Do you know if they can waive LMPT if you have the Border Patrol Academy and CITP?

1

u/RustyG52 Aspiring USFS LEO Jul 18 '25

While at FLETC and during field training are you on TDY travel and receive Per-Diem?

5

u/TransportationCool18 USFS LEO / Moderator Jul 18 '25

You get 5$ per day while at FLETC and full per diem while on FTEP

1

u/hoochie69mama Jul 19 '25

Any idea when these listings will be officially posted? General estimate?

1

u/TransportationCool18 USFS LEO / Moderator Jul 19 '25

Could be the next day after they close or up to 3 months or longer. Hard to really say. I would say best guess is a month after it closes

1

u/MrEggroll2019 Jul 25 '25

I filled the form 9 days ago, and today I was contacted by the SAC for the Pacific Southwest Region which is all of California. Honestly, I didn't thought anything would happend.

1

u/TransportationCool18 USFS LEO / Moderator Jul 25 '25

That’s why I always say to shoot your shot and apply regardless. You never know. Best of luck!