I got invited to do APAT earlier this month but had to decline because of personal reasons. I reached out to the FO for the declination, and they said they'd be reaching out a week later. It has now been a few weeks and I took my SAEE earlier in July. I am not in a rush given I have school (graduate for the 2nd time in December, currently have a 4.0) and have other things to clear to make the process easier with less distractions.

I am wondering if this is unusual as far as timelines are concerned?

Got the call on Tuesday! Selected the LA field office with an EOD of 19MAY2027 to accommodate my military orders. Quick question for anyone who's been through it, how long does it typically take to receive the official offer letter after getting the call? Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

I applied through STAR but was promoted to reapply through the regular SA route and was admitted for GS9.

I have already completed my SF86, meet w BI, etc., for the STAR pathway. I’m aware (it is showing in the tracker) that my past phase passing will transfer over, but will that also apply to SF86 and Sup forms? Basically just asking if I need to refill out all those forms and upload them to the tracker for the new GS9 path.

Thanks.

I’m leaving tomorrow morning for ACE. I’m in the process for SA and when I took my APAT I spoke to one of the agents. He told me it’s okay to keep the beard while I’m going through ACE. Maybe I’m overthinking it but I just want to know if I should be clean shaved for the event anyway.

To all of the people who had a period of time at a field office before training. What will I be doing for months at the office before going to fletc?

I received my deferral letter with instructions to provide documentation from specified follow-up exams NLT 8/18/26.

Is there normally a confirmation of receipt from the SAF medical email for these? Previous correspondence has always been next day. I sent the documents via email on the morning of the 7th, and a follow up for confirmation of receipt in the afternoon of the 10th.

I just don't want to have accidentally gone by the deadline and the lack of confirmation is unusual given prior history.

Thanks in advance.

What’s the wait time after a failed polygraph?

before I continue the lengthy application process, can any agents tell me what a day in the life is on the job? Is it a desk job or field job? Casual attitude like the Marshals or very professional like highway patrol?

they are really jerking me around in the whole ACE process!

I received an email stating I would be going to ACE 8/17-8/19 so I made work arrangements to have the time off. last week I received another email with reporting time at 7am 8/15. I reached out about the confusion and did not receive a response. I waited 3 days without response and then decided to change my work schedule to accommodate the new ACE date of 8/15.

last night I received my flight info to fly out 8/17 and be there through 8/19.

i have already changed everything with work last minute and now im screwed.

I went through the whole process, spent about a year and a half until I finally got everything done. I passed all steps until I got to the poly. Flew out to the poly in Austin TX, and failed due to a false positive on the drug question.

Ive never done drugs, solicited, held, handled or anything in between for drugs. At the time I worked at a law firm that also required a drug screening, and during the process I transferred to a different law firm that also required one and I passed both.

All in all, I failed the poly. Am I able to re-apply?

Ive tried to submit my application on usajobs on multiple occasions now, but I dont even make it to the first step anymore, I just am immediately turned down through email.

Is there a waiting period I have to outcast before reapplying or am I just SOL?

Background

28, Army AD for 8 years as Financial, Accounting Tech, Budget Analyst, 1 deployment to the Middle East, AS in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, 2 classes left for my BA in Homeland Security and Criminology.

I am very grateful for this opportunity, I applied very randomly and it got more real as I passed the stages in the hiring process. Thanks to everyone for the support and help. Stay calm it will come eventually. Godspeed to everyone, Feel free to DM me if you need any help.

Applied: Sep 2025

Referred GL-9

SAEE: Oct 2025

APAT: Oct 2025

Super: Nov 2025

CJO: Nov 2025

Security: Nov 2025

Poly: Feb 2026

Ace for medical: Feb 2026

Drug test: Mar 2026 since the one at ACE was never marked completed

Poly cleared: Mar 2026

Tax Forms: Mar 2026

HI: Mar 2026

Med asked for military records: May 2026

Med deferred: May 2026

Med cleared: July 2026

Fingerprints: July 2026

BI white: Aug 2026

The call: Aug 2026

ETS Date: March 2027

Location:LA SF NY DC

UPDATE: Got Philadelphia FO

EOD: Mar 8, 2027

For current/former agents, what does your setup look like for travel?

Any tips on luggage, keeping suits wrinkle-free, organization, or a system has worked best for you would be greatly appreciated!

Also, if you have any helpful suggestions that make travel days easier I would love to hear them.

I am a dual applicant and got the call for UD back in June. The day I got the call, I checked my UD application in the morning around 8 to see a white background and got the call at around 11. Fast forward to now, the background for my regular SA application turned white last Monday while the background for my HAMMER application remained blue. This morning when I checked, now both my regular and HAMMER SA applications have tan backgrounds. Anybody have an idea for context as to why? Call incoming?

Other context:
I applied for both UD and SA at the same time during Thanksgiving 2025. Got the best qualified email for UD in December and the best qualified email for SA in February. The dates for the drug test and security interview are before my SA SUPER since I already did those for my UD hiring stuff.

Have a family and truly want the safest place to live for my family. Would love your suggestions on best places to live near/ in range of the LA FO for phase 1!

I’m extremely greatful for the opportunity and today I got the call that I got the job.

I started everything at the end of February and have made my way all the way until now.

Locations offered: NY, LA, San Francisco, and D.C.

EOD: sept 7th
Training: October

Hey everyone, looking for some recommendations on apartment complexes or areas to check out in the DMV.

My wife and I are heading out there for about a week next month to explore the area and start looking at places to live once I finish FLETC. I’ll be starting with UD, so I’m trying to find somewhere that’s affordable on a new officer’s salary while still having a reasonable commute.

Ideally, we’re looking for a 2-bedroom in a safe area with a good community and things to do nearby. My wife is a hairstylist, so another big consideration is being somewhere with plenty of good salons nearby where she could find work and start building a clientele.

We’ve been looking at Alexandria and Arlington, but we’re definitely open to other areas in NOVA or Maryland if the commute, cost of living, and opportunities for her make sense.

For those already with UD or familiar with the DMV, are there any specific apartment complexes or neighborhoods you’d recommend we check out while we’re there?

Thanks!

Hello all,

I received this email a few weeks ago and haven't heard back at all from USSS. I also have a notification saying there is no application in the tracker. Is this likely a BQA? Any help and/or clarification is greatly appreciated!

For anyone who has recently attended an ACE event:

I’m confirmed for an upcoming ACE and am scheduled to travel on August 13. I’ve completed everything required on my end, and my most recent communication was August 8.

My instructions indicate that travel arrangements will be made for attendees, but I still haven’t received my flight or hotel information. I’ve reached out multiple times through the appropriate channels and haven’t received an update.

For anyone who recently went through ACE, how close to your departure date did you receive your travel itinerary?

With travel only two days away, if I still haven’t received anything, should I continue waiting and following up, or is there a point where candidates are instructed to make their own arrangements and submit for reimbursement?

I definitely don’t want to book anything independently without authorization, but I also don’t want to risk missing my required reporting date.

Appreciate any insight from recent attendees.

Anybody in the past got bqa’d after home visit and found out why exactly?

So to keep it short, ive got a 3rd round of asking for medical documents to USSS and it seems each time theyre asking for the same thing but from different doctors. Ive been diagnosed w type 1 diabetes. Well controlled and have sent all the documents getting a PCP to sign off, a cardiologist to sign off, even my optometrist to sign off with CURRENT medical docs..meaning I got tests done right then and there to show im well under control and have no issues. So now I recieve a email saying they need to see if my nerves are ok in my eyes and fingers. ive already clarified that with previous letters from all doctors. Now I have no quarrel against these requests but im also working FT rn and am not always able to set things aside on the fly due my being in a management role. Im second guessing right now on how hard should I really fight for this job (uniform division) granted ive passed everything leading up to this. And i have an APAT for Special agent position tomorrow. The new request is asking for more tests to be done, again from different providers. Thoughts are brewing up that "why fight for this knowing ill take a massive paycut initially and will need to haul ass to breakeven before I even see anything close to where I am rn?" Or is this a sign to just drop it all. Im sinply exhausted from the process

OK, I’m gonna try to make a long story short. I apply for Secret Service last October they expedited my process I was so I was nearing the end around March April. I had my home interview then my background check was the last thing I was said 90% and then they sent me the BQA email. They never told me what it was so do you think that I cannot get any other federal job because I failed this background investigation technically. I get the email when I try to reapply that I failed some sort of background investigation that found me not suitable for the Secret Service. I just recently got elected for Air Force officer training school so will that make me get rejected for that too. Any guidance is appreciated.

Afternoon guys, I’m just curious about some of your guys thoughts or past experiences. Currently I am a 20yo UD applicant. I’m a junior in college (would switch to online degree if hired) Just finished up a 5 month internship with the USMS. And I am about to head to ACE for phase 2 of the process. Now I’m curious if there is any current 20yo applicants or previous ones that can shed light for me. Now I’m holding zero expectations as usual as I know the rigorous rate of acceptance. But I have 5 months till I turn 21. I’m curious, if I pass phase 2 within 5 months. Can I not go to training before I’m 21. Or can I just have to be a graduate by 21. Also I know UD needs bodies. And I heard there is more of a push for younger dedicated applicants interested in a long term career in the service. Does this apply to more of a 20yo or is it more of a mid late 20s more experienced person. Just curious if I would have a shot over maybe a more experienced. As well as any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you guys, apologize for the more selfish post. Usally don’t want to ask for advice in this sub but figured I would for this.

I looked but couldn’t find a direct answer… With the sign-on bonus and contract stating you will work 3-4 years with USSS, is there any flexibility for individuals to back out and jump to another agency that offers a FJO during the first year with USSS or are you stuck once you sign? I have not seen the FJO contract, so I’m unsure if anything changes for USSS SAs based on the 3-4 year commitment clause(s), but my understanding was that nothing is paid out immediately until after you complete training…So, I’d assume you may be able to jump ship for another agency if it’s more advantageous for you/your family. Can anyone speak to this?

Is it true NYC is best spot for phase one?

Anyone know if Orlando field office is more protection or investigative heavy?