The Transportation Security Administration, which has faced start-up pains for much of the past four years, is expanding career opportunities for passenger and baggage screeners in hopes of reducing staff turnover and improving aviation security.

For the most part, TSA screeners have had little chance to advance in their jobs, and many have quit because they did not see a way to qualify for promotions. For a time, one in five full-time screeners was leaving, driving up hiring and training costs.

The career opportunities, announced this week, will permit screeners to compete for jobs as supervisors and technical experts, such as behavior detection officers, who look for high-risk individuals, and bomb appraisal officers, who spot improvised explosive devices. […]

As screeners move up in the TSA, they also will be able to apply for other Homeland Security jobs, such as air marshal and customs and immigration inspection. Rossides predicted the screeners will be “very attractive candidates” because they will have undergone extensive background checks and will be seen as part of the Homeland Security family.

After my recent experience with TSA, all I can say is: Bravo Zulu.

About the Author

Michael Tanji

Michael Tanji spent nearly 20 years in the US intelligence community. Trained in both SIGINT and HUMINT disciplines he has worked at the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and the National Reconnaissance Office. At various points in his career he served as an expert in information warfare, computer network operations, computer forensics, and indications and warning. A veteran of the US Army, Michael has served in both strategic and tactical assignments in the Pacific Theater, the Balkans, and the Middle East.