Diplomatic Security Special Agent Lifestyle

[@shermansaxton3651]

Thank you, Devildog!! Get some!!

[@TonJravolta007]

I'm a U.S. Army veteran and in my last year of undergrad and considering applying for the Department of State. Your video is very informative, thank you for sharing.

[@akward923]

Thank you for service 💖💖💖💖💖

[@michaelsteele4668]

I'm glad that I stumbled across your videos this past week. Very informative and I appreciate that. I'm looking into becoming a SA and was wondering if they allow Tandem assignments? My wife is a new hire FSS and I was considering switching agencies if they allow Tandem. Any insight would be helpful. Thanks.

[@Ir0nman80]

Tandems are allowed overseas but are not guaranteed.

[@MikeG-00]

Thanks for the video. Im pretty early in the process. I hope to become an agent in the future.

[@throughmyeyes.9479]

@user-sk7wv3xm6s, hows the process so far?

[@KaiserDragonTV]

Didnt know about this field im a retired Army Sgt iraq and afghan vet.

[@quanLe-ry9ow]

I was thinking about applying to DSS. Hopefully I can base in HCM, Vietnam.

[@jeffersonrock5759]

Hey I'm from barbados, working vio details, I've been following this group for some time, but I'm quite interested in joining Dss.

[@bluebladex3]

I have been eyeing DSS as a place to join. I'm not ready physically for the SA role but I would love to get to that point soon and I'm still not ready to take a pay cut, need a year or two, SEO seems to start off higher in salary compared to SA that is closer to what I make in the private side. I want to go ahead and join the DSS and finally get out of my hometown. I was curious, if I were to join as a SEO and do the initial 2 tours I believe the post shows in USAJobs, but is it possible to transition internally to SA position? I could never find a clear answer, I assume it is but not sure how much time you need to be in your initial position. As a single guy and not much family obligations DSS has been more appealing to me than the FBI given how their agency is headed I wanted to initially try to join.

[@Ir0nman80]

@@bluebladex3 the DSSSA position and SEO position are completely different. The role is different, the training is different. There are no internal transfers. You’d have to go through the hiring process just as anyone else.

[@bluebladex3]

@Ir0nman80 Cool so then for SEO is there a minimum serve time? I see it mentions two initial tours so after those I can apply to SA and go through the process? Not sure if there is a minimum time you have to serve I know the CIA requires a minimum of 4 or 5 years I believe.

[@OS-qd5wo]

Thanks for the great video very informative. How much does a DSS special agent make? How much does an RSO make??

[@moehage9549]

Can you talk about what the salary is like ?

[@tylercarpenter1295]

Hey Cody, did I understand it correctly that if someone was going to DSS, they could request the Washington Field Office and maybe be able to game the system a bit to have more stability there? Also, say you were going on an overseas assignment, the higher risk location, is there some kind of preference for an agent finishing up in a high risk location, like Iraq, to come back to the field office of their choice? Similar to what the Army does with people that volunteer for Korea or Kuwait, those individuals generally get a little more preference when they come back CONUS. Thank you for all the info you put out, what little I have learned about DSS has mostly come from your videos.

[@Ir0nman80]

Hey bud, you can either serve at WFO or HQ to remain in the DC area. Plenty of options there. If you went to a high threat assignment and wanted to come back to WFO (or if you went to any other assignment) that wouldn’t be hard. Staying DC metro is the easiest location yo remain at for the majority of your career in DS.

[@Yaya_est91]

@@Ir0nman80is it more likely that new agents would be sent to the capital? Or is your physical location based on where there is a need?

[@Ryan-qf3wq]

What’s the schedule like once at a post? Like do you work tours like a patrol cop or like how’s that work? Thanks for all the helpful info! (I’m sure it varies but I guess I’m just mainly looking to make sure you have a fair amount of time to explore the country you’re in, I get it isn’t a vacation but I just want to make sure you’re not working 7 days a week 24 hours a day lol)

[@Ir0nman80]

At traditional posts (which are most posts) it’s like a traditional 9-5 job. High threat posts are different but you’re not really allowed to travel and discover high terrorist threat countries anyway - nor would you want to.

[@Ryan-qf3wq]

@@Ir0nman80 yea nah I get that haha, but I wanna see Islamabad! 😂 But ok that’s good to know, thank you!

[@KennethOstrom-s1r]

Your not talking about the high threat post and trusted indi

[@erickrodriguez7802]

I’m starting my transition from the army to civilian life, this is one of the agencies I’ve been looking into. Do you think I’ll be able to transition into this field of work. I served for 9yrs as an infantryman.

[@Ir0nman80]

Yes, of course. You just need a degree and be able to convey your experiences appropriately.

[@jeffersonrock5759]

How do I make contact

[@GlowingSkull27]

What mic are you using, just curious. Thanks for the info 💪🏻

[@Ir0nman80]

It’s just the regular mic on Apple MacBook pro

[@shanahanvigil4662]

Can you choose the overseas assignments? I got two dogs who I can’t leave with anyone….I’d need to know if they could come along and if they’d fly like in a normal plane or special accommodations

[@Ir0nman80]

You can select/bud on your preferred posts for assignment but doesn’t mean you’ll get #1 or #30 on your list. BUT, you are not directed to any assignment you don’t want to go to. The department has post reports you can view before going and they discuss having pets in that particular country

[@dutch4973]

@@Ir0nman80can you expand on “not directed to go to an assignment you don’t want to go to”? Just to be clear, if someone has an overseas assignment for 2 years at x country but they would want to go to y country…?

[@Ir0nman80]

@@dutch4973 no. For example, A-Y countries are listed. You will pick and rank order those countries. If you don’t put it on your list, you don’t have to go. If you do put it on your list and get selected then you have to go. There is always a way “out” if you don’t like the country you were selected for but likely not good for a career. Rule of thumb - If you def don’t want to go, don’t put it on your list.

[@isaachernandez9831]

Same boat, got two dogs that are everything. Been looking through Reddit and didn’t see anything about it. I appreciate the feedback and the person who asked this question.

[@Jaxy804]

sorry if youve already answered but what degree do you think would be most likely to assist you as a dss agent i was thinking law

[@stupidmilkshake4887]

Im very interested in speaking with you about applying to DSS. Is there any chance I can speak with you?

[@Ir0nman80]

Shoot me an email: [e-mail]

[@tiptonames]

Is your podcast on Spotify?

[@Ir0nman80]

Yes it is

[@tiptonames]

@@Ir0nman80 thanks for the reply, will be checking it out

[@Ir0nman80]

@@tiptonames Thank you

[@Rebel-Forces-Earth-007]

Why did you guys change the look of your badge, it was perfect before?? It looks like a meme or cartoon badge now.

[@Ir0nman80]

Up until 1916 DS was called the Bureau of Secret Intelligence which had a different badge. When the name was changed to the Diplomatic Security Service they changed the whole branding. After the centennial anniversary there was discussion to change the badge to reflect both the historical and current badge.

[@jamesminor4141]

@@Ir0nman80 We were founded in 1916. We did a millennial badge in 2000, & that started the effort by DSSAA members to update the badge, & the inclusion of new & old as DS started/named Diplomatic Security in 1987, so our 25 yr anniv was 2002, and our 100 yr anniv was 2016... a convoluted system. The new badge was approved before I left, then quashed. Mark Sullo picked up our efforts and got it over the line in 2021!

[@Ir0nman80]

@@jamesminor4141 thanks for the correction and additional context Jim.

[@adamakhalilsylla1123]

I want to join

[@IbrahimHarris-ng7en]

Hey sir. Thanks for the vid. How do you become a special operator in this?

[@Min-vu1je]

Thinking about applying. Have some questions, could you please tell me how could i contact you

[@Ir0nman80]

I recommend watching the 40+ videos I put on KZbin, join the Becoming a DSS Agent Facebook Group, and listening to The Off The X podcast. I’m confident all the answers to your questions will be found there. If not, send me an email at [e-mail]