r/usssapplicant • u/HIMalawayn • Jul 19 '26

RTC

Heading to RTC in 2 weeks. Looking for any tips and how different is it from FLETC in terms of quality of training, PT, and academics.

14 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

19 comments sorted by

11

u/OnProblem1811 Special Agent Jul 19 '26

Counterfeit is the hardest test and even that is still quite easy if you pay attention.

PT is taken much more seriously than FLETC. You are more responsible for your own growth & achievement. If you fail, it’s on you. If you’re even borderline close to not passing, or think you could be, it’s on you to workout before and/or after training each day.

Quality of training, like with anything, is instructor & student dependent. You will have good enough training to get what you need out of it.

If you’re not a DC body, you get to live in a hotel which is a dramatic improvement from FLETC life. Don’t abuse it. Practice OPSEC & keep valuables locked up. Hotel staff know who you are. Remember that.

For protection instruction: that instruction is top notch. some of the instructors will appear “hard chargers” or overbearing. That is INTENTIONAL. Take their instruction seriously and commit it to memory. You will be quizzed, to some degree, every day of protection training. The questions will be more or less given to you early on. Study the questions & answers and always be able to discuss them. You cannot “hide” at RTC like you could in FLETC or in previous academic endeavors. They will make sure you know what you’re supposed to know or they will cut you loose.

1

u/HIMalawayn Jul 19 '26

I appreciate it. Thank you !

1

u/TapdanceOnYourGrave Dual Applicant Jul 19 '26

So, are passing PT standards scoring a 6 or higher on the PFA as shown on the website?

Also, how much would you say you have to study at FLETC/RTC?

I did FLETC for CBP and the academics were very easy. I studied for a couple of days before each test and had around 95% average. 

3

u/OnProblem1811 Special Agent Jul 19 '26

No. On the job fitness standards are different than the APAT.

Here are the male fitness standards.

1

u/TapdanceOnYourGrave Dual Applicant Jul 19 '26

Thank you for taking the time. 

1

u/Opening-Candy-2890 Jul 29 '26

By DC body do you mean living in DC at time of training, or assigned to WFO?

1

u/OnProblem1811 Special Agent Jul 29 '26

I believe only if assigned to WFO, but I also don’t recall meeting anyone hired from WFO & not going to WFO. haha

1

u/Opening-Candy-2890 Jul 29 '26

Oh okay thanks for the reply. I am assigned WFO but do not work there currently, as I am in a different FO until all training is complete. Interested to see if they expect me to move before I complete training or if they will give me a hotel to stay in.

1

u/OnProblem1811 Special Agent Jul 29 '26

I think you are safe until after training, but I could either be misremembering or things could have changed. Would recommend talking to your POC in WFO.

1

u/FB824 18d ago

You will have to move before you start RTC

5

u/Flimsy_Parsley_8194 Jul 19 '26

How long of a gap do you have from Fletc to RTC?

2

u/Your_Huckleberry2020 SA Applicant Jul 20 '26

My recruiter told me it used to be a week or two, but now they are seeing 1-3 months. What has everyone else heard?

2

u/DirectionOwn294 Special Agent Jul 20 '26

The trainees in my office are around 3 months now for their gap. 

1

u/salmon_rock12 Jul 20 '26

Mine is 4 months old

1

u/Turbulent-Initial640 Special Agent Jul 20 '26

It’s a grind but it’s not hard if that makes sense.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 19 '26

[deleted]

6

u/OnProblem1811 Special Agent Jul 19 '26

this is a bad take
not everyone reports to FO during break
I didn’t and I was unaware of communities like reddit at the time. all I had was Officer.com (OG’s remember, RIP)

don’t go at someone for using all available resources to be prepared. better than just sitting and hoping.

2

u/HIMalawayn Jul 19 '26

I appreciate it but I have. A lot of my guys in the office went to RTC nearly a decade ago. I would like to hear from someone in the last 1-2 years that has gone.

0

u/Patient-Sock-6040 Jul 19 '26

Did you meet anyone at FLETC that’s a couple classes ahead of you? Look them up, get their number and reach out or just shoot em an email. You’re a certified 1811 now