United States Army Criminal Investigation Command - Selection and Training

Selection and Training

Military Special Agent candidates must be currently serving in the active Army, National Guard or Army Reserve. To qualify, candidates must be enlisted soldiers who are US citizens at least 21 years of age. They must be beneath the rank and grade of Sergeant First Class/E-7 and cannot have been selected for promotion to the grade of E-7. Candidates must have served at least two years of military service (not more than 12 years), at least one year of military police experience or two years of civilian law enforcement experience and a minimum of 60 college credit hours (waiverable). Other requirements include (but are not limited to) credit checks, physical fitness requirements, normal color vision, the ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance, a drivers license and no history of mental or emotional disorders. Some requirements may be waived.

To qualify for Warrant Officer positions, candidates must be at least a Sergeant/E-5, currently serving as a Special Agent, with 2 years of investigative experience with CID, have a Top Secret clearance and a Bachelors degree (waiverable). Candidates must have also demonstrated leadership potential, management abilities and good communication skills.

CID does not employ Commissioned Officers as Special Agents. CID Battalions and Brigades (Groups) are commanded by Commissioned Officers from the Military Police Corps. These officers do not supervise the conduct of criminal investigations. Criminal investigations are conducted by field Special Agents and are typically supervised by senior Warrant Officer Special Agents.

Military Special Agent candidates initially receive training at the US Army Military Police School (USAMPS) at Fort Leonard Wood, MO where they attend the Apprentice CID Special Agent course. Later, agents may return to USAMPS to attend specialized training in Advanced Fraud Investigations, Child Abuse Prevention and Investigative Techniques, Crisis/Hostage Negotiations, Combating Terrorism on Military Installations, Protective Service Training as well as other subjects.