How To An Become NCIS Agent? Requirements Salary & Career Outlook

How To A Become NCIS Agent?

Let begin by discussing what is NCIS? The word NCIS stands for Naval Criminal Investigative Services and it is a governmental law enforcement agency which is responsible for protecting the trade ships and marine troops of the United States. For the purpose of protecting the ships and marine troops the NCIS hires special field agents and the job is considered the most rewarding job in any of the law enforcement agencies.

Although these special agents are deployed for protecting the navy and marine troops, they are not the employees of navy. Secondly military experience is not a must requirement for the job of NCIS agent. The only skill that a special agent needs to possess is, the ability of handling multi-dimensional criminal activities, counter-terrorism activities and counter-intelligence investigations.  

Do you have any more quires in your mind regarding the NCIS agents? Or the steps that you need to follow to become a special agent of NCIS? After reading this article you will have each and every detail that you need to have to become an NCIS agent.

What Does NCIS Stand For?

NCIS stands for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. It is a federal law enforcement agency responsible for conducting investigations involving crimes affecting the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

Requirements for becoming NCIS agent

We have mentioned in details the list of certain requirements which a candidate must fulfill for becoming an NCIS agent.

• First of all the aspiring candidate needs to be a US citizen and must have completed his education up to bachelors.  
• The candidate must also have a valid driving license.
• Apart from these requirements the candidate should be in sound medical conditions which mean no Major disability and the candidate must not have a problem of vision which means that the candidates with weak eyesight are not eligible for this job.
• If you have the problem of weak eyesight do not give up, there are numerous operations which can help you regain your eyesight completely.
• Once you meet all these requirements and have successfully gone through the tests, you’ll have to go through a background screening during which your previous criminal records will be check.
• All the candidates have to pass the background screening which means that you must not have been held under custody for serious crimes.
• You will also have to attain and uphold the top secret security clearance which means that you will have to prove that you are eligible of keeping the secrets and will not disclose them with anyone.

CIA AGENT SALARY  AND CAREER GUIDE 2020 

How to become an NCIS Special Agent

 If you are interested in becoming an NCIS special agent, first of all you need to meet the requirements mentioned in the above text. If you meet the requirements, you shall look for an announced position NCIS agent and whenever it is announced, you should apply for it.

In your application form, you must include your educational background, the courses which you have studied during your bachelor’s degree, any certificate that you and especially if you any experience working in the military or with the military.

Once you have submitted the application, the NCIS will go through all your documents and check your background history. During this process, your family, friends and relatives will be contacted. Don’t worry; the investigation will be based on general questions such as your residential address, your hobbies and your educational background.

Once you have successfully gone through this verification, you will join a training program which will be of 6 to 9 months during which you will be taught on different maritime issues, the laws of water and other aspects which you will be dealing with during your career as NCIS agent.

What Is The Application Process To Become An NCIS Agent?

The application process for becoming an NCIS agent can vary depending on your specific background and qualifications. However, in general, the process typically involves the following steps:

1. Meet the basic eligibility requirements: To apply for a job with NCIS, you must be a U.S. citizen and have a valid driver’s license. You must also pass a background check and drug test and be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
2. Find open positions: You can search for available NCIS jobs on the agency’s website or USAJobs.gov, the federal government’s official job website.
3. Create an account and submit an application: Once you find a job that interests you, you will need to create an account on USAJobs.gov and submit an online application. This will typically include providing information about your education, work experience, and other qualifications.
4. Take the NCIS Special Agent Entrance Exam: After you submit your application, you may be invited to take the NCIS Special Agent Entrance Exam. This exam assesses your skills and abilities in logical reasoning, problem-solving, and judgment.
5. Attend an interview: If you pass the entrance exam, you may be invited to interview with NCIS. This will typically be a panel interview with several NCIS agents, asking you questions about your background, experience, and motivation for joining the agency.
6. Complete additional screening and testing: If you are selected for a job with NCIS, you will need additional screening and testing. This may include a medical exam, fitness test, and psychological evaluation.
7. Begin training: If you are successfully hired as an NCIS agent, you will begin training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia. This training program typically lasts about 16 weeks and covers criminal investigation, forensic science, and firearms.

Required Training For Becoming NCIS Agent

Once you are selected for the job, you will have to go through certain training programs. These training programs are designed to enhance your capacity so that you can compete with the field requirements of the job.

Here are some training programs which you will be joining right after your selection

• Criminal Investigators Training Program (CITP)
• NCIS-specific Special Agent Basic Training Program (SABTP)
• The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC)

Once you have completed these training programs, you can start working on the duty assigned to you; however, it is not the end of your training. There are several advanced courses you are going to complete after some time, or in other words, the department will dispatch you to these courses when it is the right time.

These advance courses are:

• Specialized training in polygraph and credibility assessment techniques.
• Specialized training in procurement fraud
• Specialized training in forensic science
• Specialized training in counterintelligence
• Specialized training in counter Terrorism
• Courses on leadership, and language

These specialized training programs are being offered to individuals who are working on projects related to each course. For example, an agent who is interacting with foreigners from a specific language during his duty will be trained for that language. An agent dealing with terrorists will be given specialized training on counter terrorism.

What are the Duties of An Ncis Agent?

The typical duties of an NCIS agent can vary depending on the job and assignment. Still, NCIS agents are generally responsible for investigating crimes involving the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. This can include a wide range of activities, such as:

• Investigating crimes involving the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, such as murder, theft, espionage, terrorism, and drug trafficking.
• Conducting interviews and interrogations, collecting and analyzing evidence, and preparing case files.
• Providing protective services for high-ranking officials, such as the Secretary of the Navy and other senior military leaders.
• Providing technical support and assistance to other law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI and local police departments.
• Participating in special operations and missions, such as search and rescue, anti-piracy, and counter-narcotics.
• Providing training and education to Navy and Marine Corps personnel on security, crime prevention, and counter-terrorism topics.

NCIS agents may also be called upon to respond to crises and emergencies, such as terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and other incidents that threaten the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

Is NCIS Agent The Right Career For You?

The NCIS agent’s career is right for people who have interests in criminal investigation, navigation, and strategic planning. Being an NCIS agent, you will be on the constant go which means that you will have to frequently travel in the waters which might not be suitable for some people but if you are an adventure lover who likes to travel constantly, becoming an NCIS agent can be a good choice for you.

During your job as an agent, you will be involved in dynamic investigations that require a person to have a dynamic approach and a sharp mind. The people you will be dealing with during your job will be sharp enough to doge you with words, and this is where your mental intellect will be required.

Moreover, if you are working for NCIS, you will be receiving appreciation from the US army, which can be the reward for many in the US. If we try to answer the question in one sentence, the NCIS agent can be considered the best career in criminology.

NCIS Internship Programs

If you are willing to pursue your career as an NCIS agent, you join an internship program. The internship programs will give an idea about the working environment of the naval criminal investigative service. The good news is that the NCIS itself is offering these internships.

Most of the time, the internees join the program in offices where they work under the supervision of a senior who guides them about the practices being followed. However, the internships are limited to the office. Sometimes, the internees have to visit field offices too. Almost 150 Internships are being offered to the students each year.

The internships are offered to the senior and junior college students, undergraduates, and graduates. According to the NCIS, the internees are assigned to work in different departments, which will be determined based on the students’ interests.

The departments where you can work as an internee are:

• Criminal Intelligence
• Strategic planning
• Computer crimes
• Government relations and public relations
• Information system
• Criminal investigation
• And forensic Sciences

Getting an internship at NCIS might be the dream of many, but there are certain conditions that you need to meet for getting an internship at NCIS.

The students are eligible for Internships at NCIS

• Students who have more than 3.0 CGPA
• Students who have at least spend half time in their respective school
• Reference letters from professors.

If you are an interested candidate but do not meet the CGPA requirement, here is good news for you. You can still avail of the internship opportunity if you can explain a satisfactory reason for lower CGPA.

What College Courses You Should Take To Become An NCIS Agent

College courses are the foundation stone on which your whole career would be standing; therefore, you must choose your college courses wisely and plan wisely, you must have a career in your mind that you want to pursue. Congratulations if you have already decided to become an NCIS agent. We shall guide you about courses you should take to enhance your chances of becoming an NCIS agent.

Consider workings on these subjects to increase your chances of becoming an NCIS agent

• A foreign language
• Criminology
• Forensic Sciences
• Cybersecurity

Besides the academic courses, you should also start working on your body to get in shape. During the initial hiring process, the candidates have undergone through a running test, stress test, and other Physical examinations.

Authority Of NCIS Agents

Within the department of the US Navy, the NCIS agents have the authority to investigate the alleged or suspected criminal. The NCIS agents are also authorized to investigate within the Navy; for example, if a staff member is suspected to be involved in espionage, the NCIS agents will be called to interrogate him.

The NCIS agents are also authorized by the law to arrest military personnel and civilians as well, and this jurisdiction is within the military bases and outside of it. Besides this, each agent is dispatched with every marine ship, and the agent is responsible for protecting the ship and providing the supplies. 

This shows that the NCIS agents are very powerful within the homeland and outside of it.

Salary and Career outlook of An NCIS Agent

Apart from the basic salaries, the NCIS agents also receive attractive packages, including the “law enforcement availability package” ( LEAP). This premium package is set at the rate of 25% on the agent’s basic pay, and it is offered to the agents who are available for duty during their off days.

According to the bureau of Labor statistics, the average annual salary of an NCIS agent is $121,568. Being an NCIS agent, you will proceed to advanced positions based on the experience that you have gained throughout your career and the courses that you have gone through. The entry level positions have lower payouts while the agents who are serving at higher positions tend to enjoy much more salaries.

Other Related Forensic Science Career :Blood Spatter Analyst