Expert: Loren Stevens - 3/31/2010

Question
I will be serving in the US Army and I wanted to know if the requirements to become a SWAT member would stay the same or change after I decide to leave the service.

Answer
Hello Kelsea,
As you might suspect, there is no way of knowing the answer to your question. Every agency that employs a tactical unit, does so under the authority, rules and regulations of that particular agency.
Clearly, there are plenty of similarities, but I submit there are differences as well. The differences, would be on hiring practices for the organization at large. There will be various administrative and even legislative matters, as well as labor -management contract dealings.
SWAT, like other special assignments tend to be pirate oriented. What I mean by that, is that similar units around the country are always mindful of new approaches, or tactics and equipment, in furtherance of their ops interests. These units are quick to share anything that befits a similar unit elsewhere.
Your focus needs to be the primary duty of the agency you are interested in, more so than any subdivision, or a subdivision of a subdivision of that agency. Out of a career, you would not spend the majority of which, in a specialized unit like SWAT, nor would you want to.
I suspect there will be few changes in the application process or requirements in a law enforcement agency down the road. Entry level requirements stay about the same. Only about 10% or less of the applicants get hired, and many or those don't make the first two years. You'll need to be off probation, and have had to distinguish yourself at the entry level position, prior to having a realistic shot at a special ops assignment.
Hope this is helpful.
Good Luck, and keep your powder dry.
Semper Fi,
loren