Federal Air Marshals

• Federal air marshals work as armed guards on airplanes, defending the flight crew and passengers against hostile acts and threats while the plane is in flight. They have training that allows them to safely guard against any kind of danger or risk on a flight; many are former military personnel. People who work in this position are federal law enforcement officers and work undercover. They look like normal passengers on flights worldwide. In addition, air marshals do investigative work to thwart terrorist activity. Air marshals must be no older than 37 when filing an application, must pass rigorous physical fitness tests and have several years of related experience.
  
  

Intelligence

• The federal air marshal service works to gather intelligence information about terrorist organizations from around the world in order to prevent an attack on an airline. Intelligence positions require people to collect and analyze data coming from various intelligence organizations within the federal government. These positions also communicate with other law enforcement and intelligence agencies across the globe to share information.
  
  

Instructors

• People who serve as instructors within the federal air marshal program teach others the value and importance of the program as well as train people for various positions. They must follow a nationally developed program and work with new hires as well as those already in the system who need additional training and development. Instructors must possess some technical training background, good organizational and communication skills and the ability to make complex situations and language understandable to students.
  
  

Support

• Many support positions exist within the federal air marshal program, allowing people to demonstrate their professional, administrative or technical abilities in helping to secure the safety of the airlines. People can work in research, law, human resources, mission operations and medical. On the administrative side, people can work as secretaries and in planning and development, office management and other administrative functions.