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Office of Special Investigations
OSI is the Federal Law Enforcement and Counterintelligence Agency for the Air Force and Space Force.
About OSI
Overview
OSI is the lead federal investigative service for the Air Force & Space Force. OSI has a prominent role in counterintelligence, force protection and criminal investigations. This includes matters such as espionage, general crimes (i.e. contractor fraud, narcotics) and crimes against persons (i.e. sexual assaults).
Straight Talk - OSI
OSI is a small but well-respected agency that has a hyper-focused mission. This includes investigating crimes impacting "good order & discipline," and conducting aggressive counterintelligence operations. New special agents should initially expect exposure to felony crimes against persons. After gaining some experience, personnel can transfer to a number of specialized areas (ie. forensics, tech services, counter-intelligence, counter-espionage) Additionally, OSI is a military organization with a distinct mission-focused culture & global presence.
All Air Force OSI special agent personnel must complete the same academy prior to appointment.
Since OSI is a military organization, a one-star Brigadier General will always be the Commander.
OSI only accepts a dozen or so military officers a year, primarily via ROTC & the Air Force Academy. The bulk of military investigators are experienced enlisted personnel who apply and are accepted from other active duty positions.
OSI has an entry level program for graduate students (Premier College Internship Program), a general entry level program and a focused PALACE Acquire program for civilian 1811 recruitment.
OSI at 75
Celebrating its 75th Anniversary, the
Office of Special Investigations (OSI) has published a number of articles focused on its history. From the
SECAF's announcement at Quantico in 1948,
to honoring
Captain Lee Hitchcock (First OSI member killed in action), OSI has a rich history and legacy, to
include the origins of its badge design. All prospective and current OSI Special Agents are encouraged to learn more about this fascinating origin story.
OSI Special Agent Minimum Qualifications
Basic Requirements:
• Be U.S. Citizens
• Selective Service: All male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must have registered for the Selective Service.
• Lautenberg Amendment: This position requires the incumbent to carry a firearm. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition.
• Driver’s License: This position requires the incumbent to drive a motor vehicle.
• Agent Suitability Investigation: This position requires the favorable completion of an Agent Suitability Investigation, including a successful criminal background check, prior to an offer of employment.
• Drug Testing: Position is designated by the Air Force as a testing designated position under the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program and is subject to random drug testing.
• Probation: This position is typically subject to a two-year trial period during the first 2 years of the federal appointment.
• Security Clearance: This position requires a Top Secret security clearance. Favorable completion of a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) is required prior to an offer of employment.
• Polygraph Examination: Applicants are subject to counterintelligence scope polygraph examinations as determined by the command.
• Work Environment: Employees may be assigned anywhere in the U.S. or overseas, to include war zones.
• Work Schedule: Employees must be able to work substantial amounts of unscheduled overtime or be available to work substantial amounts of unscheduled overtime on evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
• Firearms: The duties of this position require the incumbent to carry a firearm. Applicants must meet initial and continuing OSI qualifications in the use of firearms.
Medical, Health and Fitness Requirements:
• Must be physically fit in order to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties
• Must be physically able to travel by plane as required
• May be required to take a series of vaccinations and immunizations
• Moderate to arduous physical exertion involving standing, walking, running
• The use of firearms
• Exposure to inclement weather or other environmental hazards
• Manual dexterity
• Arms, hands, legs, and feet must be sufficiently intact and functioning in order
• Sufficiently good vision in each eye, with or without correction, is required to perform the duties satisfactorily. Near vision, corrective lenses permitted, must be sufficient to read printed material the size of typewritten characters.
• Adequate hearing is required in order to perform duties safely and satisfactorily; hearing loss, as measured by an audiometer, must not exceed 35 decibels at 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hz levels
• Must possess emotional and mental stability
• Any physical or mental condition that would cause the applicant to be a hazard to themselves or others is disqualifying
• Must successfully pass a pre-employment medical examination
OSI requires new entry-level civilians to have a bachelor's degree with a cumulative GPA 2.95 or higher or qualifying specialized experience. Applicants for journeyman positions can qualify based on their specialized experience as an agent. Entry level vacancies are normally at the GL-7 level, but can be higher for applicants with an advanced degree (GL-9 for master’s, GS-11 for a PhD). Journeymen (experienced) level vacancies start at GS 13.
Selection Process
First, a human resources specialist reviews all applications for completeness and minimum qualifications. Next, all
qualifying applications are evaluated, scored, and rank-ordered by a Review Board comprised of OSI special agents. From those applicants, some or all may be referred for interviews. The names of the highest-ranking applicants are provided to the OSI Executive Director who approves the list. The applicants who are selected are notified that he or she has been identified for further evaluation, and must undergo and pass a pre-employment medical examination. If the medical examination is favorable, the applicant must undergo a pre-employment suitability investigation. After successful completion of the suitability investigation, employment related documents (e.g., condition of employment agreements, etc.) are sent to the selectee for completion and an enter-on-duty date is established. The locations are determined by the needs of the Air Force.
Each year OSI hires approximately 10 new Entry Level Special Agents via this prestigious program. This is a formal three year training and career development track. A college degree is a requirement and college seniors may apply prior to graduation. Read More
OSI Internship Program
OSI maintains the Premier College Internship Program for students and a Palace Acquire Program for recent graduates. Applicants need to contact their local office or use below link for additional information.
The "Air Force amn/nco/snco" Facebook page has just released information that indicates a trial OSI stand alone academy starting in February 2023 called the "Basic Special Investigators Course (BISC)." This new curriculum will abandon the standard Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) and follow-on course model used by most other FLETC based 1811 agencies.
At least 50% of this course will include FLETC instructors and it will have increased focus on OSI policies and operations. Although there is some downfall to abandoning the universal "CITP" model (namely quick lateral job transfers), this will no doubt offer training better tailored for OSI's unique mission. This blended course model is also being pursued by other 1811 agencies and is likely the wave of the future to cut out redundant or unapplicable training conducted during CITP, which is now widely regarded as too generic and outdated.
OSI Special
Investigations Academy
As of early 2023, Candidates must complete the standard in-residence 12-week Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) and the 8-week OSI Specific Course at the combined Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Georgia.
CITP is typically completed in conjunction with trainees from other agencies (i.e. Secret Service, HSI, DSS). The OSI Specific Course instructions include OSI organization and mission, ethics, investigative responsibility and jurisdiction, interrogations, military law, crimes against property and persons (physical and sexual), liaison, the role of investigative experts, computer crime, forensics, fraud investigations, environmental crime, counterintelligence collections and investigations & force-protection programs.
Note: Changes to the academy are pending an experimental program to consolidate CITP and the follow-on course.
OSI Today Podcast
OSI Today is the official audio podcast of the Office of Special Investigations, featuring News and Views from around the command. It is produced by HQ OSI Public Affairs.
Project Bluebook OSI
Between 1948 and 1969, special agents from the Office of Special Investigations (OSI), investigated approximately 12,618 reported sightings of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) under a program infamously named "Project Blue Book."
Project Blue Book systemically dismissed the notion of "little green men" and the entire case file (since declassified) is available to the public via the National Archives. Of course, various "foil-head" theories continue to persist & have spurned a whole genre of entertaining books, movies, tv shows & even clothing. Fiction is often more entertaining.
Combat Deployments
During the height of the Iraq & Afghan wars, OSI Special Agents conducted counterintelligence, protective service and force protection operations. These operations involved running sources in combat zones, tracking down IED cells, protecting senior leaders and regular collections "outside the wire."
OSI combat deployments resulted in the injury & death of several Special Agents as a result of mortar attacks, IEDS and suicide bombers. Consequently, OSI has had the unfortunate distinction of the highest casualty rate among 1811 agencies during that time-frame.
Interesting OSI Facts
· It was an OSI agent who first alerted Gen. Douglas MacArthur's HQ of the attack from North Korea that began the Korean War in June of 1950.
· Sen. Arlen Specter was a former OSI member, as was Rep. Herbert H. Bateman, who passed away Sept. 11, 2000.
· OSI welcomes more than 230 new special agents into the organization each year.
· OSI is the second-most requested career-field choice in the Department of the Air Force.
Official OSI YouTube Videos
1811 Civilians in Harms Way
Uniformed military personnel were not the only ones that served combat deployments. Civilian OSI Special Agents were required to deploy to Iraq & Afghanistan just like their military counterparts.
OIG Report
OSI Cyber Operations - 2016
In 2016, it was revealed that civilian undercover OSI special agents had engaged in online activity that had targeted civilian sexual predators beyond the scope of their military authority. Ultimately this was deemed to be an unintentional policy violation. It most definitely was NOT massive military surveillance; as incorrectly reported by news outlets.
Amad Al-Halabi
Guantanamo Bay (GITMO) Investigation - 2003
Former Senior Airman Ahmad Al-Halabi was arrested and later convicted for charges related to his time as a translator at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. The OSI led investigation unearthed a smorgasbord of suspicious events (hidden website, attempted urgent travel to Syria, a photo of a sensitive facility, retention of detainee letters and a map), all of which Halabi claimed to be innocuous. Other GITMO personnel were also investigated at the time. Halabi eventually pled guilty and the final conviction centered on his decision to take photos, illegally retain and mail a stack of SECRET material, and subsequently lie to federal investigators. Halabi was sentenced to 295 days time served and received a Bad Conduct Discharge. The case resulted in significant negative press for OSI due to mistranslations, an evidence protocol violation and a press friendly private defense counsel. Additionally, one member of the investigative team was later arrested on child sexual abuse charges and also found to be in illegal possession of classified. Read Halabi's sentencing statement.
OSI Related Links
Infamous former
SA Monica E. Witt
In an unfortunate turn of events, former OSI Special Agent Monica Witt betrayed her colleagues and her country by defecting to a hostile foreign government. Like former FBI Special Agent Robert Hansen, her shocking decision will leave a lasting impression for many years to come. As of Nov 2020, she remains a fugitive.
Counterintelligence
The counterintelligence mission is a vital but often misunderstood responsibility entrusted to Special Agents. It requires extensive manpower, awareness training, constant surveillance and is a tedious enterprise. The FBI and military agencies (i.e. OSI, NCIS, CGIS) are the leading organizations in this mission area.