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American Morning

Ask CNN: What Does it Take to Become a Secret Service Agent?

Aired September 06, 2001 - 10:24   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ALEX HOWE, WACO, TEXAS: Hello, my name is Alex Howe. I'm from Waco, Texas. And my question is: I'm curious as to what it takes to become a secret service agent.

JIM MACKLIN, SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE: Thank you for your question, Alex.

What it takes to become an agent is you need to be between the ages of 21 and 37 years of age. You need to be in good physical health. You need to take a series of examinations to include a written examination, a polygraph examination. A number of interviews have to be gone through before you can be accepted.

And once you are accepted you are expected to go for nine weeks to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia, and then another 11 weeks to the Secret Service Training Center in Beltsville, Maryland. There, you'll spend your time learning how -- driver training, classroom training, firearms, of course, as well as a host of other curriculums.

What we are looking for in agents is someone who is willing to work, he or she are willing to work long hours, have an opportunity to travel, to see the world, to witness history in -- on many events.

However, the -- we are looking for a commitment, because it is a job which requires a great deal of commitment and sacrifice.

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