What is the NCIS?
The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is a team of federal law enforcement professionals dedicated to protecting the people, equipment, technology, and infrastructure of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. On behalf of the Department of the Navy (DON), every day over 1,200 Special Agents, more than 900 other civilian professionals, and 200-plus military members work around the globe to prevent terrorism, protect secrets, and reduce crime.  NCIS maintains a presence across the United States and in some 40 countries overseas. 

What is NCIS' investigative jurisdiction?
Within the DON, NCIS has primary responsibility for investigating actual, suspected, or alleged major criminal offenses (those punishable by more than one year's confinement).  NCIS also has exclusive investigative jurisdiction within the DON for actual, potential, or suspected acts of espionage, terrorism, sabotage, assassination, or defection by naval personnel.  NCIS does not investigate purely military offenses -- that is, acts that are criminal offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice solely because of the military status of the offender (for example, desertion or UCMJ violations involving consensual sexual activities).  NCIS supports Navy and Marine Corps requirements around the globe, with an agent assigned to every aircraft carrier and "big-deck" amphibious vessel that goes to sea.  NCIS Special Agents are authorized by law to conduct arrests of military members and civilians alike, both on and off military installations. 

How can I join NCIS as a Special Agent?
If you are between 21 and 37 years old, a U.S. born or naturalized U.S. citizen, have an accredited baccalaureate degree, and vision correctable to 20/20 with normal color vision, you may be eligible to be an NCIS Special Agent.  Learn how to apply here.  There are also other professional career positions at NCIS, including intelligence analyst, security specialist, and administrative staff.  To learn more, visit NCIS Professional and Support Careers.

How do I contact an individual at NCIS?
Contact your nearest NCIS Field Office or, for general assistance:      

Naval Criminal Investigative Service Headquarters, Code 00                                                                                   27130 Telegraph Road                                                                                                                                          Quantico, VA  22134

How does NCIS work with other law enforcement agencies?
NCIS frequently works with other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies as it focuses on crime affecting the Department of the Navy. A significant number of NCIS investigations and operations occur in overseas venues, where the agency is engaged with foreign law enforcement and security services on a daily basis. Because offenses affecting naval personnel or other DON equities may occur in locations where state or local authorities have lead investigative jurisdiction or foreign agencies exercise sovereign jurisdiction, NCIS prides itself on the quality of its engagement with partner agencies. 

How does NCIS work with the military police and naval security?
NCIS handles major criminal offenses (felony-level cases), while military police and naval security handle misdemeanors and lower-level felony cases deferred by NCIS.

Can I obtain information about NCIS investigations?
In the interest of protecting both the integrity of the investigation and the privacy of the individual(s) involved, the public cannot obtain information on pending NCIS investigations. However, the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 522) enables private citizens to request a wide range of government documents, including closed NCIS investigations. For additional information, please refer to the Department of the Navy's “FOIA Online” prepared by the Navy Office of General Counsel.

Where do NCIS special agents train?
Individuals selected to become an NCIS Special Agent must attend the Criminal Investigators Training Program (CITP) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), Glynco, GA.

What are the training requirements for NCIS special agents?
Special Agent candidates must complete the Criminal Investigators Training Program (CITP) and the NCIS-specific Special Agent Basic Training Program (SABTP) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), Glynco, GA. Later opportunities may include specialized training in Polygraph and Credibility Assessment (PCA) techniques, procurement fraud, forensic science, counterintelligence, counterterrorism, leadership and languages. Training opportunities are also open to other professional staff including security specialists and analysts.

When was NCIS founded?
NCIS grew out of the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) during World War I. In 1966, the name Naval Investigative Service (NIS) was adopted to distinguish the organization from the rest of ONI.  In 1992 the first civilian director was appointed and the name of the agency was changed to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).

Can I tour NCIS Headquarters?
Unfortunately, we are not in a position to offer tours of our headquarters building. A host of force protection and security issues preclude our giving the general public access to our facilities.

If you are in Washington, DC, however, there are a number of significant Navy- and Marine Corps-related sites that are open to the public.

The National Museum of the U.S. Navy, which is adjacent to NCIS Headquarters aboard the Washington Navy Yard, hosts a fine collection of exhibits focused on the history of the Navy. The U.S. Navy Museum Cold War Gallery is right next door as well. Also on board Washington Navy Yard are the Navy Art Collection and the Display Ship Barry, a decommissioned Cold War-era destroyer that is open for self-guided public tours. The websites below will provide you with the information needed on their hours and accessing the Washington Navy Yard.

http://www.history.navy.mil/about/navy_yard.html
http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/BarryAccess.pdf
http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/org8-1.htm

The U.S. Navy Memorial and Naval Heritage Center are located on Pennsylvania Avenue near the National Mall.

http://www.navymemorial.org 

The Marine Corps Memorial in Arlington, VA, and the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, VA, are also sites in the greater Washington metropolitan area that are well worth visiting.

http://www.nps.gov/gwmp/marinecorpswarmemorial.htm
http://www.usmcmuseum.com/Visitor_plan.asp

Thank you for your interest in NCIS.