Caleb Grochalski

Government/Economics

Mr. Dulick

9/17/2014

Jobs in the Government: FBI Special Agent

The government is very extensive with ranging careers to go with it. There is everything from

postal workers to politicians to security officers. One of the most interesting, challenging, and

important branches of government workers is those in the defense field. People who risk their lives

daily to be sure the citizens of this country are safe. These include Police officers, Border patrol,

Special agents, etc. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, or FBI is responsible for protecting the

country from terrorist attcks, counterintelligence, cyber crime, public corruption, civil rights, organized

crime, White-collar crime, Violent crime, and Major theft. This is a very crucial part of our government

and defensive forces. And, of course, movies such as Miss Congeniality make working in the FBI look

extremely interesting and entertaining. Being someone who loves the movie, naturally I wanted to

delve more into what a special agent like Gracie Hart really has to go through.

First, the FBI upholds certain priorities and core values that every agent, and personnel worker

must adhere to:

FBI Priorities

Protect the United States from terrorist attack;

Protect the United States against foreign intelligence operations and espionage;
Protect the United States against cyber-based attacks and high-technology crimes;
Combat public corruption at all levels;
Protect civil rights;
Combat transnational and national criminal organizations and enterprises;
Combat major white-collar crime;
Combat significant violent crime;
Support federal, state, county, municipal, and international partners; and
Upgrade technology to successfully perform the FBIs mission.
FBI Core Values
 Rigorous obedience to the Constitution of the United States;
Respect for the dignity of all those we protect;
Compassion;
Fairness;
Uncompromising personal integrity and institutional integrity;
Accountability by accepting responsibility for our actions and decisions and the consequences
of our actions and decisions; and
Leadership, both personal and professional.
All of these were taken from the official FBI web page. The FBI has a strict code of

requirements for employment. Those trying for special agents must pass a physical examination,

stamina test, vision test, and hearing test. One main requirement for employment includes having a

high school diploma as well as a degree from a university. Also, the physical examination requires the

applicant to: Perform their maximum amount of sit ups in one minute. Also, complete a timed 300-

meter sprint, max untimed push ups and pull ups (if asked), as well as a timed one and a half mile run.

The Bureau explains that the physical examination is not unbearable, if you exercise daily and stay in

good physical condition.

The Bureau also requires special agent applicants to take a hearing test which requires a single

reading of 35 decibels at 1000, 2000, and 3000 hertz. 35 decibels at 500 hertz. 45 decibels at 4000

hertz. And finally, a 25 decibel reading of 1000, 2000, and 3000 hertz. Immediately following the

hearing and physical examinations is the medical review. The medical review is like a basic physical

examination to get basic medical information about the applicant. The basic salary for a FBI special

agent averages from about $56,980 per year to anywhere to about $90,000 a year, depending on the

level of seniority and your work in the bureau.

With all the interesting work that is done in the FBI, I strongly admire anyone that even

attempts to apply to this organization. If I were not destined to be a performer, I would probably make

my way into the law field, whether it be law enforcement or just being a lawyer. I think the systems of

protecting the US are very strong and advanced, and I hope to remain to see it that way. The FBI is full

of fearless people, and I admire every one of them.