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Special Operations Division Prerequisites

Airspace Security Branch

Candidates who possess the following qualifications, skills, and/or comparable experience are preferred, but NOT mandatory:
1.  Private or commercial pilot certification(s)
2.  107C drone pilot certification
3.  Prior airport and/or aviation operations experience
4.  Prior experience as a military or civilian air traffic controller
5.  Prior experience related to aircraft operations (manned or unmanned)
6.  Degree or strong working knowledge in the aviation field (Electronics, Aeronautics, Aviation Safety/Security)

Canine Explosive Detection Unit

Prerequisites

  • Uniformed Division officers interested in becoming a Canine Officer/Technician in the Canine Explosives Detection Unit must have a minimum of two years as a Uniformed Division officer. 
  • All candidates must be able to pass the Secret Service Wellness Test with a rating of "Good" in all categories and maintain that rating throughout their Canine career. 
  • Candidates will also be required to pass a home inspection by a Canine Supervisor. The inspection will determine if the applicant can provide a suitable dwelling and yard for the canine. 
  • Furthermore, candidates are required to be available for emergency duty and travel (domestic and foreign).
  • All new technicians must pass and successfully complete The Secret Service 17-week "Basic Canine Explosives Detection Course" administered by the James J. Rowley Training Center (JJRTC) Canine training staff.
  •  Additionally, the officer will receive three weeks of orientation prior to becoming operational. Units participate in weekly validation training for the remainder of their Canine career.

Counter Assault Team

Prerequisites
Prior to being assigned to the Counter Assault Team (CAT), candidates must successfully complete two courses at the James J. Rowley Training Center (JJRTC).  The first is a two-week CAT Selection Course, and the second is a seven-week CAT Basic Course.

  • Phase 1 - Candidates must be employed as a special agent with the Secret Service at least two years and four months by the graduation date of next scheduled CAT Basic Course to attend a CAT Selection Course.  Additionally, Phase 1 candidates cannot report to CAT after successful completion of Selection and Basic courses until they have reached a period of three years as a special agent with the Secret Service.  The exact entry-on-duty date necessary will be posted in the official solicitation for candidates from headquarters.
  • Phase 3 - To be eligible for selection to a Phase 3 CAT assignment listed in a job opportunity announcement, a candidate must meet one of the time requirements listed below:
    • If the candidate is currently in a Phase 2 protective assignment: Must complete six years in the protective assignment by the date specifically listed in the JOA; OR
    • If the candidate is currently in a Phase 3 assignment in a foreign field office, CID/CSP, TSD or JJRTC: Must complete three years by the date specifically listed in the JOA; OR
    • If the candidate is currently in a Phase 3 assignment in a domestic field office, headquarters, or protection assignment not listed in the prior bullet: Must complete two years by the date specifically listed in the JOA; OR
    • Have already completed the Phase 3 assignment commitments outlined above in the candidate’s current Phase 3 assignment.
  • All applying agents must have achieved an evaluation of “Excellent” on the Secret Service’s physical fitness test administered by a Secret Service-certified Physical Training coordinator while in their current office/assignment before submitting their name for CAT selection.

Counter Sniper Team

Prerequisites

  • Officers/officials must be employed with the Uniformed Division for a period of two years before being eligible as a candidate for Counter Sniper Team (CS).  The exact EOD necessary will be posted in the official solicitation for candidates from headquarters/Office of the Chief.
  • Officials applying for positions in the CS program will be considered for selection unless stated otherwise from the Office of the Chief.
  • Officers/officials must have achieved an evaluation of “Highly Recommended” from their watch commander and Branch Deputy Chief.

Counter Sniper Acrophobia/PT Test/Interview

  • Officers/officials that achieved a “High Recommendation” from their watch commander and Branch Deputy Chief will be assessed on the CS physical fitness test, acrophobia test (fear of heights) test and exposed to a panel interview.

Counter Sniper Physical Fitness Test

  • Run 1.5 miles in eleven minutes and thirty seconds (11:30) or less.
  • Bench press, with free weights, your body weight twice. The weight is rounded off to the nearest five pounds of actual weight.
  • Thirty sit ups in one minute.
  • Twenty-five push-ups in one minute.
  • Five overhand pull-ups.
  • Ten C/S dips, Knees to the bar.
  • Repeat all the above exercises except the running portion.

Note: There is a fifteen-minute break between the run and the other portion of the test.  There are approximately two-to-four-minute breaks between each exercise.

Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems

This information is designed to be preferred experience, but not mandatory.
Knowledge of the National Airspace System and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) integration within that airspace. Experience as a counter UAS operator is preferred. SOD also has opportunities for experienced UAS pilots.
**Currently, the C-UAS program is staffed via internal JOA to the SA community and UD has staffed vacancies via their own internal staffing vehicle**

Emergency Response Team

Prerequisites
To become a member of the Emergency Response Team, each candidate must successfully pass a one week assessment which consists of:

  • A Secret Service physical fitness test with a minimum score of fifteen points for one's age in the following categories: push-ups, sit-ups, chin-ups and the mile and a half run.
  • SOD rifle qualification with a minimum score in the 90th percentile
  • SQC pistol qualification with a minimum score in the 90th percentile

Hazardous Agent Mitigation Medical Emergency Response (HAMMER) Team

  • All candidates wishing to join the Hazardous Agent Mitigation Medical Emergency Response (HAMMER) team will be required to attend a five-day selection course at the James J Rowley Training Center (JJRTC).
  • During this course, the candidates will be familiarized with HAMMER’s mission and will be required to perform a PT test, in which the candidate achieves a physical fitness score of "Good" in respective age and gender categories for push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups and the 1.5-mile run. This test will be administered the first day of selections. Failure to pass the PT Test will result in dismissal from the selection school.
  • All candidates will be required to perform strenuous activities while wearing the HAMMER protective garments, body armor, SCBA masks and air packs. 
    • Lifts, drags, and carries using 185 lb. to 220 lb. mannequin, role players, and equipment 
    • Skill-building exercises including climbing, walking, and maneuvering through buildings, vehicles and dark enclosed spaces.
    • Operating power tools, hand tools, and vehicles
    • Simulated medical care of a patient

Special Operations Division Joint Operations Center

Joint Operations Center (JOC) selections are internal Special Operation Division (SOD) representatives and serve as liaisons to SOD. 

Specialized Rifle Unit

  • All UD officers wishing to join the SRU team will be required to attend a one-day SRU Selection and five-day SRU Basic course at the James J Rowley Training Center (JJRTC).  To qualify for SRU Basic, candidates are expected to pass the Secret Service PT test with a minimum of 12 points and a “good" in all categories based on respective age and gender categories for push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups and the 1.5-mile run. This test will be administered at the beginning of selection. Failure to pass the PT test will result in dismissal from the selection school. The candidate must also receive a “Highly Recommended” from their watch commander to be considered for the team. 
  • Candidates in SRU Selection must also achieve a 90 percentile or higher on the Secret Service Service Rifle Course (SRC) with the SR-16 and a 90 percentile on HQC with the Glock 19 to be admitted into SRU Basic. 
  • Once in SRU Basic, candidates will learn based on their Mission Essential Task List: Firearms, Building Defense, Control Tactics, Street Tactics and Tactical Communications. 

Technical Operations Branch

Candidates should possess one or more of the following qualifications, skills, and/or comparable experience: 

  • Completion of the Electronic Crimes Special Agent Program (ESCAP) and/or the Network Intrusion Responder Program (NITRO) and/or Critical Systems Protection (CSP) 
  • Degree or strong working knowledge in electronics, technical communications, portable radio equipment, secure mobile telephones, Tactical Awareness Kit (TAK), aeronautics, aviation safety/security 
  • Technical Security Division and/or Technical Operations Squad (TOS) experience and/or Special Operations Division and/or the Office of Training, James J. Rowley Training Center 
  • Procurement of technical/law enforcement equipment       
     
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