I can only speak regarding DEA, but yes, a minimum of 2 years in the field is required AND a vacancy has to exist. I've got a neighbor who, until recently, was in "management" in the Air Wing and also have spoken on several occasions with a current Special Agent/Pilot who was formerly employed by a legacy airline. I've done my research and have gained a ton of insight into the operation. I may be wrong but I understand the FBI may have a "fast track," so to speak, to join their Air Wing. DEA doesn't have anything like that. If interested, you have to ready and willing to spend a long time on the streets, potentially never even making it to the Air Wing. Obviously, the more experience you have, the better. Their minimums are 500 TT and a commercial and there are a ton of SA's that apply with that. I was told of a guy who's goal was the Air Wing. He graduated from ERAU, was fortunate enough to get the SA job, and it took 15 years to get to the Air Wing. Other people, on the other hand, get the SA job, but are selected to the Air Wing after just 2 years because they have 5000TT, 3000 TPIC, and a Citation type. There's a lot of variables involved. Like I said, applicants shouldn't get too deep into it if they won't be happy as a SA on the street.

Like some one else mentioned, DEA likes their pilots to have a full understanding of the mission on the ground. You are a SA first, pilot second. From the applicant's point of view, that's an easy change in attitude. The obstacle may be convincing the recruiter/interviewer that you want to be a cop/SA. Personally, I've done this pilot deal for 10 years professionally, it doesn't define me - I'm ready to to be a SA first, and hopefully the rest will fall into place.

USMCFLYR, I applied through the Dallas Field Office. I applied in 9/08 and hope to hear in the next several weeks... hopefully.