10 Tips for Passing Secret Service Training

Secret Service jobs are prestigious…
I’m certain you would agree…..
That said, take the application process as serious as you’ve taken anything else in your life.
Actually, I would even take the application process more serious than anything you’ve ever done.

NOTE: An employer can’t mandate you carry out most of the following advice (shining your shoes, etc…). However, I’m trying to help you from looking like a complete fool when you get called for the job.

Here’s a list of 10 things you need to start doing today to prepare for Secret Service Training:

1. Learn how to shine your shoes. You’re command presence (a word you will learn all about when you land the job) steadily decreases proportionately with the shine on your shoes, the intimidation factor you pose, and the way you present yourself as a human being. If you’re shoes aren’t glaring from shoe polish, start learning how to make that happen RIGHT NOW. Don’t take it from me…there are statistics out on this one. Promise, you aren’t one bit intimidating with your mid-70’s cotton tie, your polyester pants, and those hideous shoes that just went through a war.

NOTE: An employer can’t mandate you to shine your shoes or wear a different tie. I’m just trying to help you from looking like a complete fool when you get called for the job.

2. Start doing 100-200 situps per day. The goal in mind is to knock out 40-55 in a minute (or more if you are in tip-top shape). For females, the number is obviously lower, but don’t “rest on your morals.” Try to build endurance and hit 40-50! It’s gonna be tough, but promise you can do it….. just put your mind to it. Secret Service jobs aren’t easy…. nobody ever said they were and nobody will ever say they are. It’s up to you, so start now with formulating a tough mindset, and go out and get into great shape. That simple.

Visit our FREE WORKOUTS section to learn more great programs.

3. Lose the attitude. Think you are “the shit?” Think you are stronger, leaner, faster than everyone else? Ha!!! Let me warn you. You will look like a fool in no time at all. Just take my advice and do a little soul searching… and accept the fact you will be working amongst some Former Navy Seals, a few World Record-Setting Triathlon runners, even a few Ultra Marathon runners (50mi-100mi) and yes that’s the correct number, 100 miles.

In addition, if you show the “tough guy” attitude, you will quickly lose respect amongst your peers…making it a miserable place to work. Do you really want that?

Rule of thumb: There is always someone faster, stronger, leaner… and better than you.

4. Run hard and fast. Start running 1.5 miles for time. Continue running this distance until you can do it in 11 minutes or less. On your off days…. do LSD (long slow distance). Try to work your way up to 5 mile LSD runs…. building your endurance will help in many other areas of training as well.

Can’t run the 1.5 miles in 11 minutes or less? Stop making excuses and work harder at it… it’s THAT simple.

5. Push ups, push ups….push ups. I know you don’t like ‘em, but nobody really cares. You HAVE to do them, so start today by building a positive mindset. One that says “I love pushups!” I want you to do 100 per day minimum (for out of shape people). The goal is to work up to 50-75 per minute without resting. I know it’s tough….but if you want the great secret service job, you have to work your butt of to get it.

So….stop weeping and start training hard, TODAY.

6. Study nutrition. I promise you can’t out-exercise bad eating habits. It’s critical to eat the right foods before long runs, and other foods before shorter runs.

*** Written by 3yr Secret Service Veteran Jeff Hopeck, we encourage you to read Healthier Eating Made Simple

7. Dreaded pull-ups. Right now, say this to yourself: I’m gonna master pull-ups. Did you like how that sounded? If not, go back and read it again….. Here’s what I’m trying to prevent you from: Getting into training, hopping on the pull-up bar for your initial test in front of instructors and fellow classmates… and looking like a complete fool because you never practiced, or built up muscle to perform pull-ups. However, if you like looking like a fool and failing tests, please don’t take my advice. Hell, I wouldn’t want to actually make you LOOK GOOD!

8. Study food labels and stop eating high-fat, high-sodium foods that are giving you the love handles. When it comes time for training, you will fall behind on runs and look like a real slacker if you don’t take control of your diet today.

Rule of thumb: You can’t out-exercise bad eating habits. They will catch up to you in no time at all.

9. STOP being a sissy. Listen, you aren’t applying for a VP job where you can point fingers to your sales team when a budget doesn’t get hit. Then go home at night and pat yourself on the back because you passed the blame. If I can make one guarantee, it would be this: If you pass the blame for things such as being out of shape because you didn’t take the responsibility to eat healthier and work your butt off, you will look like a complete fool. That’s an understatement.

You are applying for a job where taking responsibility for your actions is a phrase you need to get very intimate with. Start right now by losing the “sissy” mentality, learn how to suck it up… and start taking responsibility for your own actions when things don’t go your way.

10. The world owes you nothing. Don’t forget this one…. Matter of fact, you are privileged to be on this earth, and you owe your respect to the culture you’ve chosen to live within. That said, don’t take this job if you aren’t prepared to travel, miss birthdays, work 12hr shifts on holidays…. and even miss major holidays. I promise you, nobody cares. So, right now suck it up and understand this world is a give and take world. Nobody owes you anything.

SUMMARY: I’m here to help. I want to see you land this job…. and my ways of teaching can be very harsh at times. However, they are realistic and focused on helping you understand where you currently stand in regards to landing this job. I have faith in you…. and I want you to shine. Go now and get serious about becoming your absolute best.