I passed an interview with the USMS this week  but not the physical.  I have 5 months to train and retake the test.  I was close to passing so I should have no problem passing the exam during the retest.  When I retest I am go to go  but I have a few questions?

Anyone have specific experience with the USMS?  I understand that the first 2 to 3 years I would be transporting prisoners and standing in court but I would like to have a better idea of what I would be doing day to day.

Just how bad would the first several years be?

Would you take a ~$20,000 pay cut to work for the USMS?

I have already asked a friend that works for the USMS these question but I want more information.

Whether you want a USMS job depends on what you want to do and how hard you're willing to work.  Despite what we see on TV and movies, very few in the USMS are out there catching fugitives.  From the Marshalls I've spoken with, only about 10% in an office work nothing but fugitives.  The rest transport prisoners, guard courtrooms, and guard judges.  Several years back, the USMS lost their status as 1811's (Criminal Investigator series) as an audit by OPM found they didn't do that enought to warrant the series.  Those that end up doing fugitive work tend to be the ones that take the above duties seriously and bust their butt doing the grunt work and eventually get recognized for it.

You need to decide whether you want to be proactive or reactive.  Most of the big name Federal agencies are largely reactive, investigating crimes after something has happened.  Your state/local agencies and a few of the lesser known federal agencies, proactively look for criminals.  I love LE but don't think I'd take a job with USMS - they don't do enough of it to keep me interested.

Was in court the other day and had a chance to talk with one of the USMS Supervisors.  Above info is correct, just a few more specifics.

Marshall's are hiring for the 082 series which is a general LE job in Federal Service.  Marshall's are also hiring for the 1811 series - that's criminal investigators.  They are currently taking 1811's from other Federal agencies and it looks like a lot of the guys are from Secret Service.  There is serious talk of the Secret Service giving up counterfeiting and doing nothing but protection and the rats are abandoning the ship.

Marshall's are NOT hiring directly into 1811's from non-Federal jobs.  You have to do two to three years as an 082 to qualify for the 1811 jobs.  Apparently, how much street work you do depends on the office and supervisor.  The gentleman I spoke with seemed very sincere about doing more streetwork and working taskforces.

Hope that helps.

JIMBEAM-  Lucky you.  I have been policing now for almost five years and about a year and half ago I decided that I would like to test to become a USM.  I call the freaking helpline every week and I swear it sounds like the guys who man the USMS phones at the Atlanta office know my first name and I always get the same answer - APRIL 2004, next test date.  

I keep telling myself...Be Patient...

NPD - I took the test two years ago and final did the interview a few weeks ago so they seem to move pretty slow.  I honestly thought they forgot about me.

I have 5 months to retest for the physical so I have time to decide.

Thanks for the input guys.

The USMS NEVER lost their 1811s.  If you are being hired as an 082 or DEO you can bank on more than just the first few years of hooking and hauling.

As an 1811 you can count on a few years of that!  Depending on your district, you may get off to a full time warrant slot before you know it.  Other districts may have you doing some of the prioner/court ops all the time.  With seniority, you'll do less of it and may get into more warrants/task force (assuming you are productive).

As stated by Switchback, The USMS never lost it's 1811 series. The USMS offers one of the most diverse experiences in federal LE.

From my experience most who are in court and there most of the time, like that assignment and choose to stay there. If you produce you will get the chance to.

You will be hired as an 082 series and will not immediately attend 1811 school unless selected. The USMS is currently selecting 1811 candidates from the 082 pool.

As an 082 you will do plenty of court time. You will hook and haul prisoners for most of the time.

However, there are many different career paths inside the USMS. There are Task Forces of all kinds, full time warrant squads, Asset Seizure specialists, Witness Security Inspectors, Academy Instructors, Special Operations Group, Hazardous Response Unit, Tech Ops group, and the list goes on and on....

District, management and work ethic will have much to do with how well you like the job.