FORT SILL, Okla.-- Army Criminal Investigation Command, commonly known as CID, is seeking qualified applicants to become highly-trained criminal investigators.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least age 21 with between two and 10 years military service. They must be in ranks lower than sergeant, though Soldiers either promotable to sergeant or staff sergeants with one year or less time in grade may apply with a waiver. Applicants must meet all other requirements.
Special agents are responsible for investigating many types of felony-level crime of Army interest, conducting protective-service operations and working with other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to solve crime and combat terrorism.
Agents receive training at the Army Military Police School and advanced training in specialized investigative disciplines. Selected agents receive advanced training at the FBI National Academy, Metropolitan Police Academy at Scotland Yard, DoD Polygraph Institute and the Canadian Police College.
Agents may also pursue a master's degree in forensic science from George Washington University.
Working at the 90th Military Police Detachment at Fort Sill for eight years, Special Agent Patricia Laiben recommends this job to anyone, especially those who enjoy law enforcement work. She does so with one minor caveat: understand the hours can be long.
"Soldiers have to understand this is something you do beyond a 9-to-5-job, this is like working as a detective in the civilian world," said the 90th MPD detachment sergeant and evidence custodian. "We work constantly, but for anyone who is into law enforcement, it's a great opportunity to work with many different law enforcement agencies and make contacts."
With an initial training school that takes four months to complete and ongoing training, she said CID wants junior ranking Soldiers to give them time to develop their skills and knowledge so they can grow in the career field. That training alone has opened doors, Laiben previously was unaware of, despite her background working in military police.
Crime scenes, of course, are the crux of what CID is all about. Laiben said suspects can deny their involvement, but her training and experience enable her to get to the heart of the matter, and, they also satisfy the reason she applied.
"I wanted to find out the truth," she said. "Evidence tells the true story, and we work with that evidence to determine what really occurred."
Even when deployments arise, Laiben said special agents work in their area of expertise instead of doing some other type of job.
In a service that is experiencing a drawdown in personnel, Laiben said her work, training and experience are a springboard to similar work in the civilian world.
She said there's a definite demand on the outside for people with CID skills.
To view the full list of requirements and to apply, visit www.cid.army.mil.
For more information, visit the Fort Sill CID office at Building 2635 Miner Road or call 442-8854.
Editor's note: Additional information provided by Army Criminal Investigation Command.
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