Federal air marshals in Montana board regional, domestic and international flights originating from Montana’s largest cities, such as Bozeman, Billings, Great Falls, Missoula and Helena. The average passenger most likely will never recognize these undercover, armed law enforcement officers as they go about their job duties, keeping passengers and employees safe on airplanes and within airports.
Federal, local and state law enforcement agencies in Montana are often called upon to work with federal air marshals in the investigation and/or apprehension of criminals. Agencies include:
- Montana Highway Patrol
- Granite County Sheriff’s Office
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- Billings Police Department
- West Yellowstone Police Department
- East Helena Police Department
- Bozeman Police Department
Meeting Requirements for Federal Air Marshal Jobs in Montana
Basic Requirements – Federal air marshal jobs in Montana require candidates to meet minimum requirements consistent with federal law enforcement agents:
- Being a legal U.S. national or U.S. citizen
- Being older than 21 and younger than 36 ½ years old
- Being able to pass physical fitness tests and a physical examination
- Being able to pass a psychological exam
- Being able to pass a drug test
- Being able to pass a complete background investigation
- Being able to obtain top-secret security clearance
- Being able to travel constantly for work
Education or Experience Requirements – For entry-level federal air marshal jobs in Montana, a minimum level of education or experience is necessary.
Applicants claiming experience must show three years of general experience with at least one year at the GS-4 level (meaning it showed the applicant’s ability to solve problems, communicate effectively in writing and orally, and organize and plan work) within a position in investigative, technical, professional, administrative or other responsible work
Applicants claiming education must hold a bachelor degree in any field from an accredited college or university. Degrees in criminal justice, sociology, psychology and law enforcement are the most helpful, although the degree may be within any major.
Training Requirements – When one is hired as a federal air marshal in Montana, the first assignment will be basic training in Artesia, New Mexico. This takes place for seven weeks and includes classroom work, physical challenges and firearms training. The next part of the training sends the new Montana federal air marshal to Atlantic City, New Jersey for seven more weeks of advanced basic training. It builds upon the first seven weeks of training and gets into defensive techniques, self-defense, criminal investigation and more complete firearms instruction.
Montana’s Major Airports
Montana is home to seven primary commercial service airports, from which federal air marshals in board flights. They include:
- Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport in Bozeman, which had 433,829 passengers board in 2010
- Billings Logan International Airport in Billings, from which 388,329 passengers boarded in 2010
- Missoula International Airport in Missoula, from which 289,875 passengers boarded in 2010
- Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell, where 175,222 passengers boarded flights in 2010
- Great Falls International Airport in Great Falls, from which 155,204 passengers boarded in 2010
- Helena Regional Airport in Helena, where 98,193 passengers boarded airplanes in 2010
- Bert Mooney Airport in Butte, from which 25,433 passengers boarded planes in 2010