Federal Air Marshals in the state of Indiana will find several major airports with heavy air traffic in need of watchful eyes, including two major international airports:
- Indianapolis International Airport opened its 1.2 million square foot facility in 2008 with state-of-the-art security technology. The airport averages 138 flights a day and served some 7.3 million passengers in 2012.
- Fort Wayne International Airport is a primary commercial service airport with over 10,000 passengers boarding flights each year.
Federal Air marshals provide safety and security at both of these major airports.
Requirements for Employment in the Federal Air Marshal Service
Individuals between the ages of 21 and 36 and who have prior federal civilian law enforcement experience may be eligible for Federal Air Marshal Service jobs. Candidates must also meet the following minimum job requirements:
- A bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited university; OR
- 3 years of progressive experience with demonstrable skills in communication, problem solving and planning and organization; OR
- A combination of education and experience
Candidates should also be prepared for an extensive pre-screening process that involves physical and psychological assessment, as well as an extensive background check.
Candidates serious about becoming air marshals will also be expected to undergo a panel interview and will be required to take the Federal Air Marshal Service battery test, to assess the following skills:
- Writing skills test
- Video-based situational judgment
- Logic-based reasoning for decision-making and problem solving skills
The rigorous Federal Air Marshal service training program includes a 35-day basic training program and a 43-day advanced training program
Teaching Indiana Students about Federal Air Marshals
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) takes great pride in the mission of the Federal Air Marshal Service. In fact, the IDHS is providing high school juniors and seniors with the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the precise responsibilities of Federal Air Marshals through a law enforcement series through the trade and industrial education program.
The IDHS lecture series teaches students about the Federal Air Marshal Service and provides students with information about careers in homeland security. Among some of the program’s offerings are:
- Education on the basic requirements for Federal Air Marshals
- Understanding of the Federal Air Marshal Service mission
- Prepare resumes for career opportunities in the Department of Homeland Security
This program inspires students in Indiana schools to consider the importance of Federal Air Marshal Service in providing national security and counter-terrorism measures.
Indiana Federal Air Marshals Assist Bus Screeners
Federal Air Marshals don’t just provide security on airplanes and in airports. Federal Air Marshals operating as part of a Visual Intermodal Prevention Response team in Indianapolis sometimes assist TSA screeners and other local law enforcement agents with monitoring activity at local IndyGo bus stops throughout the city.
Federal Air Marshals help screeners pat people down, search bags, and perform behavior tests when the threat of concealed weapons on buses and other forms of public transportation threaten public safety.