What Is a Special Agent?
Contrary to popular belief, a Special Agent is a legitimate profession and not a "secret spy." According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the average salary for a Special Agent is about $51,043 on an annualized basis as of February 2010.
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Responsibilities
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The responsibilities of a Special Agent varies by federal agency. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, special agents are responsible for conducting sensitive national security investigations. They also enforce over 300 federal statutes.
Qualifications
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Special Agents should have completed an undergraduate study from a 4-year college or institution. Candidates must also be a citizen of the United States or the Northern Mariana Islands, between the ages of 23 and 37, and possess a range of critical skills relevant for the Special Agent entry level programs.
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Physical Requirements
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Among other physical requirements, Special Agent candidates must have visual capacity that is no worse than 20/200 in each eye, with correction to 20/20 in one eye and at least 20/40 in the other eye. Candidates must also pass a physical fitness test prior to admittance into the FBI Academy.
Training
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The methods of training for FBI Special Agents are infamously rigorous, and only a small fraction of those who undergo training are hired to become a Special Agent. The most common Special Agent training programs are basic training and advanced/specialized training.
Fun Fact
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According to the U.S. Secret Service, a one time recruitment bonus of 25 percent of basic annual pay is paid to newly hired Special Agents who are identified as having a foreign language skill and can test at the S-3 level.
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