John Stanford

September 17, 2009

ACC 151; 4:00-5:30

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is an agency of the United States Department of

Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence

agency. The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of

federal crime. Its motto is “Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity”, corresponding to the FBI initials.

The FBI’s headquarters, the J. Edgar Hoover Building, is located in Washington, D.C. Fifty-six

field offices are located in major cities throughout the United States as well as over 400 resident

agencies in smaller cities and towns across the country. More than 50 international offices called

“legal attachés” are in U.S. embassies worldwide. The FBI was established in 1908 as the Bureau

of Investigation (BOI). Its name was changed to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in

1935. The FBI’s main goal is to protect and defend the United States against terrorist and foreign

intelligence threats, to uphold and enforce the criminal laws of the United States, and to provide

leadership and criminal justice services to federal, state, municipal, and international agencies

and partners. The FBI’s mandate is established in Title 28 of the United States Code (U.S. Code),

Section 533, which authorizes the Attorney General to “appoint officials to detect... crimes

against the United States.” Other federal statutes give the FBI the authority and responsibility to

investigate specific crimes. The FBI’s competitors include other government agencies that

engage in intelligence gathering and crime prevention and also compete for funding which

include the National Security Administration, Central Intelligence Agency, United States Armed

Forces, and local and regional law enforcement. The FBI has been frequently depicted in popular

media since the 1930s. The Bureau has participated to varying degrees, which has ranged from

direct involvement in the creative process itself in order to present the FBI in a favorable light, to

providing consultation on operations and closed cases. In order to apply to become an FBI agent,

an applicant must be between the ages of 23 and 37. The applicant must also hold American
John Stanford
September 17, 2009
ACC 151; 4:00-5:30

citizenship, have a clean record, and hold a four-year degree. All FBI employees require a Top

Secret (TS) security clearance, and in many instances, employees need a higher level, TS/SCI

clearance. In order to get a security clearance, all potential FBI personnel must pass a series of

Single Scope Background Investigations (SSBI), which are conducted by the Office of Personnel

Management. Special Agents candidates also have to pass a Physical Fitness Test (PFT) that

includes a 300-meter run, one-minute sit-ups, maximum push-ups, and a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) run.

There is also a polygraph test personnel have to pass, with questions including possible drug use.

As of September 30, 2008, the FBI had a total of 31,244 employees. That includes 12,851 special

agents and 18,393 support staff, such as FBI police officers, intelligence analysts, language

specialists, scientists, information technology specialists, and other professionals.

A student may want to consider starting a career with the FBI because:

1. The FBI provides full benefits coverage and paid vacation

2. Offers a competitive salary and opportunities for advancement within the FBI

3. Can be a rewarding job knowing that you are helping to protect the United States

Questions:

1. Do most new hires come in directly after college or do they transfer from another career or

job?

2. What specific college majors would best prepare a potential candidate for the FBI?

3. What types of positions do people working in the FBI hold after two to three years?