The Army’s Criminal investigation Command is in desperate need of soldiers willing to join the CID force.
Each year, the command investigates between 8,000 and 10,000 felony cases ranging from fraud to murder, according to CID spokesman Chris Grey. Agents also are tasked to act as security personnel to protect senior military leaders and government officials, he said.
As a result of the workload, “CID is hurting for agents,” Special Agent Jack Thomas, said by telephone from Fort Bragg, N.C. “Recruiting is a big thing for us right now.”
About 2,400 people work for the department, Grey said. That number includes not only special agents, but also support personnel.
Everyone who applies is carefully evaluated, he said.
“We look at the entire person,” Grey said. “Can they be trusted to conduct felony level criminal investigations? Do they have solid communications skills? Are they willing to accept the tremendous responsibility that comes with being a CID special agent?”
The entire application process takes between three and eight months, Thomas said.
The basic requirements for soldiers to be considered for a position are listed on the command’s website, www.cid.army.mil/join_CID.html.
Once selected, the soldier is sent to the CID Special Agent Course at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. The initial training to become an agent is 15 weeks long.
