Although all FBI field personnel are provided with advanced driving instruction, there are specialists in Tactical Mobility Teams who possess vehicle operation skills that are critical for SWAT and Hostage Rescue Team missions. These Tactical Mobile operatives may utilize any of a number of standard FBI vehicles and transports including
- High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles
- Dual-axle Chevrolet trucks with assault ladders for rapid assault and deployment
- 4×4 Chevrolet Suburban SUVs
- DDGMC Light Armored Vehicles
Tactical Mobile Teams may also be assigned customized vehicles that have been modified for covert intrusion or specific mission capabilities.
Tactical Mobility Team Job Description
Tactical Mobility Team jobs require personnel who are able to master the following skills:
- Maintain constant situational awareness of surrounding vehicles and personnel throughout a crisis incident
- Remain in contact with tactical members in order to provide transport into or out of a hostile area
- Train periodically with elite tactical groups in order to gain familiarity with response tactics
- Provide rapid egress for dignitaries and FBI personnel from a hostile area
- Manage the repair, maintenance and modification of vehicles to meet mission imperatives
- Recognize and avoid terrorist attacks on vehicle and passengers
- Perform surveillance on targets while parked or in transit
- Conduct high speed chases and apprehensions of other vehicles and individuals
FBI Tactical Mobility Training
Tactical Mobility operators enter the Bureau as Special Agents and begin their training at the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA. This training includes braking, downshifting, throttle steering, skid control, accident avoidance, high-speed reversal, passing drills, and vehicle counter ambush techniques. Tactical Mobility operators also gain proficiency with off-road driving, convoy operations, and high risk security details through the newly created Law Enforcement Training for Safety and Survival (LETSS) program.
Once the initial training program is completed, Tactical Mobility operatives will help deliver tactical personnel to areas of operation. They may be utilized in vehicle interdiction, building or mobile assaults, and pursuit or tracking operations. These operatives will maintain optimal operational readiness by conducting periodic training drills alongside SWAT or HRT personnel.
Tactical Mobility Team Salary
Drivers and operatives assigned to FBI Tactical Mobility Teams join the Bureau with at least a GS-10 pay rating. If they remain in the field, they may be promoted up to GS-13. For those Tactical Mobility Teams within the Hostage Rescue Teams, they are automatically assigned a GS-14 or GS-15 pay grade due to their status as supervisors. Tactical Mobility operators on SWAT or other FBI units may still ascend to a GS-14 or GS-15 pay rating if they qualify as a manager or instructor. For 2012, the salary ranges for these pay grades were defined as
These salaries are also adjusted for cost of living, which may be between a 12.5 and 28.7 percent increase over the base salary. Tactical Mobility personnel are also provided a 25 percent bonus in accordance with Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime (AUO) pay which is intended to compensate law enforcement and tactical personnel for long shifts and around-the-clock availability. Like all federal law enforcement professionals, Tactical Mobility operatives also receive a superior benefits package that includes life insurance, health insurance, long term care insurance, Thrift Savings plans, and full retirement at 20 or 25 years after joining the Bureau.