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Author Topic: Bureau of Diplomatic Security and Private Security Careers  (Read 5428 times)

sanjuancb

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Bureau of Diplomatic Security and Private Security Careers
« on: August 15, 2008, 01:30:12 PM »
I was just wondering if anyone on the forums has any experience with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security and/or private security companies? I'm working on my bachelor's degree in Political Science and a minor in Middle Eastern Studies and am interested in these careers. I would love to hear any stories or advice that you may have. Thanks!
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DDMac

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Re: Bureau of Diplomatic Security and Private Security Careers
« Reply #1 on: August 15, 2008, 03:02:12 PM »
You will need to fluently speak a relevant foreign language to be sure of a job, but those Federal jobs pay well compared to conventional law enforcement positions. Retirement ain't bad either. Private security companies(Blackwater type) who will pay a living wage or better, require government trained, experienced people who have been there and done that already. Security personnel (Wackenhut), like the ones at the nuclear power plants, don't make much and individual thought and initiative is neither required nor desired. I know several.
Stay single in that field. If you aren't, you will be. Good luck.
Mac.
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jnevis

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Re: Bureau of Diplomatic Security and Private Security Careers
« Reply #2 on: August 15, 2008, 03:53:52 PM »
To echo Mac, Blackwater especially and to some degree DSS is looking for guys from the military in addition to, or instead of, degrees.  They will even pass over "straight" infantry for SF/SEAL types.  Not to say that the "other" alphabet agencies wouldn't look at you.  There are a few positions at DIA and such for Poli-Sci types.
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sanjuancb

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Re: Bureau of Diplomatic Security and Private Security Careers
« Reply #3 on: August 15, 2008, 05:04:06 PM »
Well, I am conversational in Arabic and have had about 15 credit hours of formal classes in it, which unfortunately, is all that my university offers. I have however maintained a 4.0 GPA in each class, up to Arabic III. I believe to will be my benefit in the future.
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"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt

sanjuancb

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Re: Bureau of Diplomatic Security and Private Security Careers
« Reply #4 on: August 15, 2008, 05:08:20 PM »
According to the Bureau of Diplomatic Security:

Qualifications

    * U.S. citizenship
    * BA/BS degree at time of appointment
    * 20 years of age to apply.Candidates must be at least 21 years old but must not have reached their 37th birth date at time of appointment.
    * If required, registration under the Military Selective Service Act
    * Successfully undergo written and oral assessment
    * Successfully undergo a thorough background investigation and qualify for a Top Secret security clearance
    * Pass a stringent medical exam, be available for worldwide assignment, and qualify for a Department of State Class 01 medical clearance
    * Pass physical fitness tests and be fit for strenuous physical exertion
    * Possess a valid U.S. driver's license
    * Be willing to carry and use firearms and qualify with firearms throughout career
    * Be willing to travel and accept assignments throughout the world. Officers are required to live and work a substantial portion of their career overseas.
    * Foreign language ability is desirable, but not mandatory
    * Successfully complete all aspects of 6-month training
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"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt

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Re: Bureau of Diplomatic Security and Private Security Careers
« Reply #5 on: Today at 12:23:17 AM »
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tombogan03884

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Re: Bureau of Diplomatic Security and Private Security Careers
« Reply #5 on: August 15, 2008, 05:14:25 PM »
Quote from: sanjuancb on August 15, 2008, 05:08:20 PM
According to the Bureau of Diplomatic Security:

Qualifications

    * U.S. citizenship
    * BA/BS degree at time of appointment
    * 20 years of age to apply.Candidates must be at least 21 years old but must not have reached their 37th birth date at time of appointment.
    * If required, registration under the Military Selective Service Act
    * Successfully undergo written and oral assessment
    * Successfully undergo a thorough background investigation and qualify for a Top Secret security clearance
    * Pass a stringent medical exam, be available for worldwide assignment, and qualify for a Department of State Class 01 medical clearance
    * Pass physical fitness tests and be fit for strenuous physical exertion
    * Possess a valid U.S. driver's license
    * Be willing to carry and use firearms and qualify with firearms throughout career
    * Be willing to travel and accept assignments throughout the world. Officers are required to live and work a substantial portion of their career overseas.
    * Foreign language ability is desirable, but not mandatory
    * Successfully complete all aspects of 6-month training


That's a Civil service position the listed requirements don't mention that Veterans ALWAYS get preference.
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jnevis

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Re: Bureau of Diplomatic Security and Private Security Careers
« Reply #6 on: August 15, 2008, 06:04:21 PM »
Those might be the minimums but depending on the position (Personal Security Specialist/Bodyguard) they expect LOTS of documented weapons proficiency (more than basic shooting and familiarization in multiple weapons). 

Now some of the other spots (more admin than shooter, but still deployable operators) won't require the military background but you'd start out in a lower pay grade in most instances.
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Pathfinder

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Re: Bureau of Diplomatic Security and Private Security Careers
« Reply #7 on: August 15, 2008, 07:15:50 PM »
There was a show in the last 2 years or so about the DSS, before that I knew nothing of them. On the Military or History channel, maybe even Discovery. Interesting job, mostly diplomatic security (duh), bodyguard stuff, usually very personal for the diplomat in question, in addition to Marines at the embassy.

Tough gig. They had one vignette from the really bad days in Haiti when 4 of the DSS got waylaid at night in Port au Prince and then surrounded by bad guys at a roadblock. They managed to get out unscathed and retrieved their ward successfully. You gotta wonder how many don't turn out like that.

Good luck with this.
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sanjuancb

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Re: Bureau of Diplomatic Security and Private Security Careers
« Reply #8 on: August 15, 2008, 09:09:41 PM »
I appreciate the input. I really don't know exactly what I'm going to do, I could just as easily go into political research, but this sounds very interesting. Any other solid advice you'd like to share?
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"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt

Neon Knight Anubis

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Re: Bureau of Diplomatic Security and Private Security Careers
« Reply #9 on: August 15, 2008, 09:44:15 PM »
A fellow Poly Sci major! (Are you sure you're mentally fit?)  ;)  ;D
Sounds like your in for a very ambitious career but tombogan is right, veterans almost always rise to the top and I don't think the security contractors will even consider you without that kind of experience. Have you looked into the Air force? I know they help train for language proficiency, Army Special forces as well and I can't imagine the Navy not having one of some type. The reason why I mentioned Air Force is because of the security teams, if your looking at a security related field that might be an approach worth looking at.
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