The Army’s Criminal Investigation Command, commonly known as CID, is looking for qualified applicants to become highly-trained criminal investigators.
Special agents within Criminal Investigation Command, commonly known as CID, are responsible for investigating numerous types of felony-level crimes, conducting protective-service operations, and working with other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to solve crimes and combat terrorism.
Those accepted into the program to become agents will receive training at the U.S. Army Military Police School. They will also receive advanced training in specialized investigative disciplines. Selected agents may also receive advanced training at the FBI National Academy, the Metropolitan Police Academy at Scotland Yard, the DOD Polygraph Institute and the Canadian Police College.
Additionally, agents also have the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree in Forensic Science from George Washington University.
In the Army, taking care of Soldiers and their families is often at the forefront of every leader’s mind. From the fire team leader to the Army chief of staff, the health and welfare of the force is of the utmost importance.
It is an unfortunate fact that crime in the ranks can occur. When it does, commanders, Soldiers, civilians and victims throughout the Army community turn to the men and women of the Army CID. The main purpose of the CID is to investigate criminal acts and to help victims in their time of need.
Special Agents from CID are very proud of that fact and are actively seeking qualified Soldiers with the integrity and dedication to join them to become CID special agents, while helping to keep the Army safe.
“When something bad happens, when a commander needs to discover the truth, when a Soldier or family member has been wronged, we are the folks they go to for help,” said Special Agent David Rudd, an operations officer with CID Headquarters. “We exist to keep our Army safe and protect our fellow Soldiers, civilians, and family members.”
The special agents with CID are responsible for investigating felony-level crimes worldwide and especially where there is a concentration of Army personnel. The agents of CID are some of the most highly trained criminal investigators in law enforcement today.
“Many people don’t realize the impact we have on a person’s life and the impact we have on the Army,” said Special Agent Edgar Collins, the assistant operations officer for the CID Washington Battalion. “In a sense, we are defending the honor of the United States Army.”
The Army’s CID serves a population of more than one million Soldiers, civilians, contractors and family members. At home and while deployed, CID provides an invaluable resource to the Army and commanders at posts, camps and stations. CID special agents not only investigate crimes, but they also conduct logistics security operations and assessments. Agents also conduct criminal intelligence and economic crime/extremist criminal activity threat assessments.
“It’s unfortunate, but with most communities of one million plus, crime is going to happen,” said Special Agent Jennifer Bryan, the special agent-in-charge of the Pacific Fraud Field Office. “Because of that, we ensure that the Army and its interests are protected. Whether it’s a Soldier, a government contractor or a family member, we are always here to help.”
On the battlefield, criminal investigations are expanded to include war crimes, as well as anti-terrorism and force protection missions. Throughout its proud history, CID has maintained an extremely high operational tempo and continues to support Army missions and operations around the world.
“Unlike some other Army units, who have a specific mission deployed and then a training mission at home; our mission never stops,” Collins said. “It’s an unfortunate truth, but we often meet people on possibly the worst day of their life.”
To serve as a CID special agent is more than just a career; it’s a way of life. The amount of responsibility placed on agents is immense, often working independently and assigned missions that may have a significant impact on not just the local command, but the Army at large.
“Being a special agent is an opportunity to be a part of something significantly larger than oneself,” said Special Agent David Eller, a special sexual assault investigator with the Fort Carson CID Office. “You are often placed in a position of great responsibility, whether it’s protecting a dignitary at a foreign summit, to working a murder case, you have to be on your ‘A’ game every day.”
Eller said the CID is looking for agents who will take ownership of investigations, but more importantly, the agency is looking for “unquestionable integrity.”
Prospective agents attend the CID Special Agent Course at the U.S. Army Military Police School, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. For 15 weeks, candidates receive advanced training in various specialized investigative disciplines and upon graduation become federal law enforcement officers.
The training is fast-paced and thought-provoking, said CID Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Seaman. The training covers everything from crime-scene processing to interviews and interrogations. It is also accredited by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation Board.
“As an apprentice agent, new agents at their first duty assignment receive mentorship and field training by senior agents and are given an opportunity to apply a multitude of felony investigative techniques in real-life scenarios while learning to master their craft,” said Seaman.
Many within the federal law enforcement community, both military and civilian agencies, view the course as the best basic agent training program in the United States.
“Our program is the best there is,” said Special Agent Ronald Meyer, Chief of Physical Evidence Branch at USAMPS. “At other institutions, their prospective special agents spend maybe two days learning how to process a crime scene, our students here at Fort Leonard Wood spend about two weeks.”
During a career at CID, agents have the opportunity to attend advanced training at some of the most prestigious law enforcement programs in the world. Included among those institutions are the FBI National Academy, the Metropolitan Police Academy at Scotland Yard, the Defense Academy of Credibility Assessment, and the Canadian Police College.
A unique aspect of these programs for CID special agents is that they are offered to those who need it most, the agent in the field. Some other law enforcement agencies and major police departments often reserve this type of training for just their senior investigators or chiefs of police.
Agents also have the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree in forensic science from George Washington University. Enlisted agents have tremendous opportunities to become warrant officers.
To qualify to become part of CID, applicants must be a U.S. citizen and must be at least 21-years-old. Applicants must be no more than an E-5 (non-promotable). Those E-5s who are promotable, or those who have achieved E-6 but have one year or less time-in-grade, may apply with waiver. All applicants must have at least two years, but not more than 10 years time-in-service, have an ST score of 107 or higher (110 or higher if tested prior to January 2, 2002), have at least 60 college credit hours (waiver of up to half of this prerequisite may be considered), have normal color vision and no record of mental or emotional disorders.
Applicants must be able to speak and write clearly and attain and maintain a top secret-single scope background investigation security clearance. They must also have no record of unsatisfactory credit and no felony or court-martial convictions. Lastly, applicants must be able to complete 36 months of service obligation upon completion of the CID Special Agent Course. The complete listing of qualifications can be found on the CID website.
To apply to become a CID Special Agent, prospective applicants should contact their local CID office or go to www.cid.army.mil for additional information.
