CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
The Air Force Office of Special Investigation is looking for Airmen who are interested in becoming special agents.
In an effort to identify interested individuals, the local AFOSI detachment, Det. 310, held a recruitment fair Feb. 29 to answer questions Airmen had about the application process and began the application process for some.
Currently, the AFOSI is looking for staff sergeants and technical sergeants with less than 12 years of service to apply as enlisted special agents.
"We are looking for outstanding Airmen," said Special Agent Matthew Bryant, AFOSI, Det. 310. "An Airman has to have a good background to be recruited into our organization."
At a minimum, the perspective applicant should have an outstanding military record, qualify for a top secret clearance and have a stable financial situation. The ability to speak another language and have completed college courses or a degree is desirable.
If accepted into the program, an AFOSI special agent candidate would attend the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Ga., for an 11-week Criminal Investigator Training Program. Then the candidate would go through a six-week AFOSI agency-specific course. Both courses offer training in firearms and other weapons, defensive tactics, forensics, surveillance detection, anti-terrorism techniques, crime scene processing, interrogations and interviews, court testimony and military and federal law.
After successful completion of a one-year probationary period, some agents receive specialized training in economic crime, anti-terrorism service, counterintelligence, computer crime and other sophisticated criminal investigative capabilities. Others attend 12 weeks of technical training to acquire electronic, photographic and other skills required to perform technical surveillance countermeasures.
Since the criteria for being an AFOSI agent is extensive, the recruitment fair is a good way for prospective applicants to find out about the career field and for current agents to meet these perspective applicants.
"The recruitment fair is a way to meet people and to let those people know our organization exists," Agent Bryant said. "If we think somebody will be a good candidate, we will ask that person to apply for our organization."
Some Airmen who attended the fair said they were looking for more of a challenge in their daily work schedule.
"I want to try something new," said Staff Sgt. James Scarbrough, 437th Aerial Port Squadron fleet service supervisor.
He said he wants to be in a career field that will give him different challenges on a daily basis, and not just same thing every day.
Another reason for Airmen to consider applying to the AFOSI - "it's the best job in the Air Force," said Agent Bryant.
"There are so many areas [in the Air Force] you have access to as an agent," said Agent Bryant. "You get to work beyond the standard military operation. You are able to work with local and federal law enforcement in joint operations. What I also like about being an agent is seeing the final product -- you see the results of what you did and get a sense of satisfaction."
For more information about AFOSI, visit their public Web site at www.osi.andrews.af.mil. NCOs interested in learning more about becoming an AFOSI agent should review the applicant Web site at www.osi.andrews.af.mil/join/enlisted/index.asp and then contact AFOSI, Det 310, at 963-3248.