IMPEACHMENT THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY…Because nobody’s life, liberty or property is safe while Congress is in session or the White House is occupied.
Ethics is not about what we say or what we intend, it's about what we do.
This is the heart of Integrity - demonstrating a consistency between ethical principle and practice.
Who we are is never more clearly revealed than in the daily moments of our lives. How we respond to some of those moments reveals whether we stand up for our principles or rationalize our way around them.
There is truth in Harper Lee's observation in To Kill a Mockingbird :. "The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience." The hundreds of thousands of votes I had received would not have been enough to defeat the single vote my conscience had cast.
"The history of the Secret Service provides a strong foundation for this tradition of unequivocal trust. The motto of the United States Secret Service is 'WORTHY OF TRUST AND CONFIDENCE.' This tenet is so central to our mission it is emblazoned in the Secret Service Commission Book.
I feel so strongly about this creed that when I speak to agents upon their graduation, I tell them that the 'most important' factor in the Secret Service Commission Book is the one in which 'I commend you to the entire world as being worthy of TRUST and CONFIDENCE.' As I state, the phrase, 'BEING WORTHY OF TRUST AND CONFIDENCE' is the absolute heart and soul of the United States Secret Service.' This trust and confidence cannot be situational. It cannot have an expiration date. And it must never be compromised."
In a declaration made in opposition to Ken Starr's Motion to Compel testimony from Secret Service agents, Agent Lewis Merletti argued that agents could refuse to testify because they are shielded by a "protective envelope" privilege similar to those covering doctors, lawyers and clergy. (The privilege, it was pointed out, did not extend to any area that covered an agent witnessing the commission of a crime.)
At the core of Merletti's statement to Starr was this passionate defense of trust.
Secret Service Code Names: Locations/Groups/Organizations/Radio and X Ray Frequencies
After much snooping research I have concluded that the Secret Service, contrary to previous assumptions, does have a sense of humor. They seem to reserve it for in house. I have also concluded that the Secret Service is not all that secret. But on the off chance that I am wrong please shred and burn this document after reading and over write the disk space it may have occupied with PC Shredder. And don’t forget to clear your cookies, files and history files. You can never be too careful these days. Who knows the Secret Service or Homeland Security may be watching you!
AND YOU REALLY HAVE TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT NICK NAMES AND CODE NAMES: TO WIT:
SHOULD WE CHANGE OUR MOTTO FROM “WHERE EAGLES FLY” TO “WALKING EAGLES”?
Senator Hillary Clinton was invited to address a major gathering of The American Indian nations 2 weeks ago in upper New York State. She spoke for nearly an hour on her future plans for enhancing every Native American's standard of living, should she one day become the first female president of the United States.
She referred to her career as a New York Senator, how she had signed "YES" for every Indian issue that came to her desk for approval. Although the Senator was vague on the details of her plan, she seemed most enthusiastic about her future ideas for helping her "red sisters and brothers". At the conclusion of her speech, the Tribes presented the Senator with a plaque inscribed with her new Indian name - Walking Eagle.
The proud Senator then departed in her motorcade, waving to the crowds.
A news reporter later inquired of the group of chiefs of how they had come to select the new name given to the Senator. They explained that Walking Eagle is the name given to a bird so full of shit that it can no longer fly.
The Secret Service Home Site
The Secret Service is charged with protecting the life of the President and Vice President of the United States and their immediate families, the President-elect and Vice President-elect and their immediate families, former Presidents and their wives, the widows of former Presidents until death or remarriage, minor children of a former President until they reach 16 years of age, heads of a foreign state or foreign government, and at the direction of the President, official representatives of the United States performing special missions abroad.
Furthermore, the Secret Service provides security at the White House complex, the Treasury Building and Treasury Annex, buildings which house Presidential offices, the Vice President's residence, and various foreign diplomatic missions in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area or in other areas as designated by the President.
The mission of the Secret Service includes investigations related to certain criminal violation of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, the Federal Land Bank Act, and the Government Losses in Shipment Act. The Secret Service is also charged with the detection and arrest of any person committing any offense against the laws of the United States relating to coins, currency, stamps, Government bonds, checks, credit/debt card fraud, computer fraud, false identification crime, and other obligations or securities of the United States.
We realize the Secret Service can be confusing. Many people have no idea what it is they do. Others think they're not supposed to know because it's a secret. We hope to be able to dispel all of the myths and help to get the "secret" out of the Secret Service. After all, they've been doing a bang-up job wiping out the "service".
Did you know that the original goal of the Secret Service wasn't to protect living presidents, but rather, dead ones? And it wasn't until three living presidents *became* dead that the Secret Service was given the job of discouraging this?
Did you know the head of the Secret Service was appointed on Pearl Harbor Day and has a wife named Sandy?
Did you know that Bill and Hillary Clinton will get Secret Service protection for the rest of their lives but Chelsea is up the creek?
Find out why the White House Police disappeared.
See "secret" codenames used by the Secret Service to prevent us "ordinary citizens" from knowing what they're talking about!
(Careful - people have gone to PRISON for having lists like this. But they were probably enemies of the state or else how could they have wound up in prison?)
"Ordinary citizens" like us can help the Secret Service by reporting *anything* suspicious to them.
"Ordinary citizens" like us can help the Secret Service by reporting *anything* suspicious to them.
Oh, so many requests these days to report “Suspicious Things”, so many that I may have to develop a blog list for quick reference.
At long last, you can see if the Secret Service has an office in your town so you can call them to report anything suspicious, or, if you're a suspicious person yourself, you can just drop by.
For your listening pleasure, a list of every known Secret Service radio frequency is provided along with an explanation of which are used for what and, when available, what offices use which frequencies.
At long last, you can see if the Secret Service has an office in your town so you can call them to report anything suspicious, or, if you're a suspicious person yourself, you can just drop by.
For your listening pleasure, a list of every known Secret Service radio frequency is provided along with an explanation of which are used for what and, when available, what offices use which frequencies.
(Careful - people have gone to PRISON for having lists like this. But they weren't people like us or else how could they have wound up in prison?)
Did you know that Bill Clinton and Al Gore are the only two people in the world who can't tell the Secret Service to get lost?
(We're not counting people who are ARRESTED by the Secret Service but, as we all know, they lost their "ordinary citizen" privileges as soon as they got the Secret Service angry at them.)
Did you know that all Secret Service Special Agents are born in Glynco, Georgia?
Did you know that in nearly all Secret Service brochures, the first benefit mentioned is retirement? Did you know the last is promotion?
Finally, you'll have the chance of learning where others made mistakes. See how quickly you can become a threat to society by taking pictures of Secret Service agents in your own office! Or even in public areas.
With the number of Secret Service agents prowling around, you should be careful where you point your lens. If you have security cameras around your home or office, you are at particular risk of capturing a forbidden image if you are visited.
People who use live cameras that broadcast to the entire Internet are just asking for trouble.
BEGINNINGS
The Investigative Mission
At the close of the Civil War, between one third and one half of all U.S. paper currency in circulation was counterfeit. On July 5, 1865, the Secret Service was created as a bureau under the Department of the Treasury to combat this threat to the nation's economy. Within less than a decade, counterfeiting was sharply reduced.
During its early years, the Secret Service investigated many cases unrelated to counterfeiting. These cases included the Teapot Dome oil scandals, the Ku Klux Klan, Government land frauds, and counterespionage activity during the Spanish American War and World War I. As other federal law enforcement agencies were created, the investigative jurisdiction of the Secret Service became limited to Treasury-related crimes.
The Protective Mission
In 1901, President William McKinley was assassinated in Buffalo, New York. He was the third President killed in 36 years, and the public demanded protection for U.S. Presidents. As a result, Congress directed the Secret Service to protect the new President, Theodore Roosevelt. In 1906, Congress finally enacted legislation making presidential protection a permanent Secret Service responsibility.
Protective responsibilities expanded greatly since that time, and the Secret Service completed a number of temporary protective duties. These assignments included providing security for the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Gutenberg Bible, and other valuable documents during World War II; providing protection for a number of foreign leaders who visited the U.S. during World War II; and providing protection for Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" while on exhibit in the United States.
The Investigative Mission
The Secret Service continues to suppress the counterfeiting of currency and securities of the United States and of foreign governments. The Service is also responsible for investigating the fraud and forgery of U.S. checks, bonds, and other obligations. In 1984, Congress passed legislation expanding Secret Service investigative jurisdiction further to include fraud related to false identification documents and devices; fraud and related activities involving credit and debit cards; investigative authority relating to computer fraud; and, at the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury, authorization to investigate fraud associated with the electronic funds transfer system of the U.S. Treasury. In 1990, Congress further expanded the Service's jurisdiction regarding criminal violations against federally insured financial institutions to include savings and loan investigations.
The Protective Mission
Secret Service protective responsibilities have increased dramatically since the days of President Roosevelt. Today the Service protects:
- the President, Vice President, the President-elect, Vice President-elect, and their immediate families;
- former Presidents and their spouses;
- children of former Presidents until age 16;
- visiting heads of foreign states or governments and their spouses, and other distinguished foreign visitors to the U.S.;
- major Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates and their spouses;
- other individuals at the direction of the President.
The Secret Service continues to suppress the counterfeiting of currency and securities of the United States and of foreign governments. The Service is also responsible for investigating the fraud and forgery of U.S. checks, bonds, and other obligations. In 1984, Congress passed legislation expanding Secret Service investigative jurisdiction further to include fraud related to false identification documents and devices; fraud and related activities involving credit and debit cards; investigative authority relating to computer fraud; and, at the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury, authorization to investigate fraud associated with the electronic funds transfer system of the U.S. Treasury. In 1990, Congress further expanded the Service's jurisdiction regarding criminal violations against federally insured financial institutions to include savings and loan investigations.
The Protective Mission
Secret Service protective responsibilities have increased dramatically since the days of President Roosevelt. Today the Service protects:
- the President, Vice President, the President-elect, Vice President-elect, and their immediate families;
- former Presidents and their spouses;
- children of former Presidents until age 16;
- visiting heads of foreign states or governments and their spouses, and other distinguished foreign visitors to the U.S.;
- major Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates and their spouses;
- other individuals at the direction of the President.
THE SECRET SERVICE UNIFORMED DIVISION
The first formal attempt to provide security at the White House occurred during the Civil War. The "Bucktail Brigade" (members of the 150th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteers) and four officers from the Metropolitan Washington Police Force were assigned to protect White House property. On September 14, 1922, President Warren G. Harding created the White House Police under the supervision of the White House military aide's office.
President Hoover decided that White House Police officers and Secret Service agents at the White House could better coordinate their efforts if they were under centralized control. In 1930, Congress placed the White House Police under the supervision of the U.S. Secret Service.
White House Police responsibilities expanded sharply in 1970 to include security for foreign diplomatic missions in the Washington, D.C., area. At the same time, the force was renamed the Executive Protective Service. In 1977, the name was changed again to the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division.
Today, Uniformed Division officers provide security at the White House, the Vice President's residence, buildings in which Presidential offices are located, the U.S. Treasury Building and the Treasury Annex, foreign diplomatic missions in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, and foreign diplomatic establishments in other parts of the U.S. as the President may direct.
White House Police responsibilities expanded sharply in 1970 to include security for foreign diplomatic missions in the Washington, D.C., area. At the same time, the force was renamed the Executive Protective Service. In 1977, the name was changed again to the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division.
Today, Uniformed Division officers provide security at the White House, the Vice President's residence, buildings in which Presidential offices are located, the U.S. Treasury Building and the Treasury Annex, foreign diplomatic missions in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, and foreign diplomatic establishments in other parts of the U.S. as the President may direct.
Uniformed Division officers carry out their protective responsibilities through a network of foot patrols, vehicular patrols, and fixed posts. They provide additional assistance to the overall Secret Service protective mission through special support programs such as the canine, magnetometer, and countersniper units.
THE SECRET SERVICE TODAY
The Secret Service has approximately 4,600 employees, including the Uniformed Division. The Service has field offices located throughout the continental U.S.; in Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico; and liaison offices in Paris, France; London, England; Bonn, Germany; Rome, Italy; and Bangkok, Thailand.
The Service has more than 1,900 special agents who are rotated throughout their careers between investigative and protective assignments. Agents assigned to investigative duties in the Service's field offices also serve as a source of additional manpower for temporary protective details, such as those for candidates or visiting foreign dignitaries.
Numerous specialists in a wide variety of occupations contribute their expertise to the Secret Service's investigative and protective missions. They include security specialists, electronics engineers, communications technicians, research psychologists, computer experts, armorers, intelligence analysts, polygraph examiners, forensic experts, and professionals in many other fields.
THE SECRET SERVICE AND YOU
Because of the magnitude of its responsibilities, the Secret Service relies heavily on the support of outside organizations and individuals. State, county, and local law enforcement organizations are valued partners of the Service in every phase of its investigative and protective operations.
Ordinary citizens also assist the Service in various ways: by learning about counterfeiting and forgery; by taking steps to protect themselves from these crimes; and by reporting any suspicious occurrences to their local police or Secret Service office. The support of all Americans helps the Secret Service succeed in its dual investigative and protective missions.
After the assassination of President William McKinley in 1901, the Secret Service was directed by Congress to protect the President of the United States. This duty remains the primary responsibility of the United States Secret Service.
- visiting heads of foreign states or governments and their spouses traveling with them, other distinguished foreign visitors to the U.S., and official representatives of the U.S. performing special missions abroad;
- major Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates, and within 120 days of the general Presidential election, the spouses of such candidates.
(The Secret Service is about to go into a massive “overtime mode”. I wonder if the new BuShit Budget included enough money?)
Secret Service protective methods are generally the same for all individuals protected. Permanent protectees, such as the President and First Lady, have details of special agents permanently assigned to them. Temporary protectees, such as candidates and foreign dignitaries, have details of special agents on temporary assignment from the Service's field offices.
With the exception of the President, the President-elect, the Vice President, and the Vice President-elect, all individuals entitled to Secret Service protection may decline protection if they choose.
HOW PROTECTION WORKS
Work begins on a protectee's visit to a locality when a lead advance agent is assigned to draw up a security plan. Throughout the planning stages and the visit, the lead agent and his team work closely with the Special Agent in Charge and other personnel from the nearest district field office.
The advance team surveys each site to be visited. From these surveys, the members determine manpower, equipment, and other requirements. Protective research personnel on the advance team conduct electronic and environmental surveys; others select hospitals and evacuation routes for emergencies.
Fire, rescue, and other public service personnel in the community are alerted. A command post is established with full communications facilities. The assistance of the military, state, county, and local law enforcement organizations is a vital part of the entire security operation.
Before the protectee's arrival, the lead advance agent holds briefings for all agents and other law enforcement representatives participating in the visit. Personnel are told where they will be posted and are alerted to specific problems associated with the visit. Intelligence information is discussed, identification specified, and emergency options outlined. Just prior to the arrival of the protectee, checkpoints are established, and access to the secured area is limited.
During the visit, Secret Service and local law enforcement personnel form a network of support for members of the detail surrounding the protectee. The Secret Service command post acts as the nerve center for protective activities, monitors emergencies, and keeps all participants in contact with one another.
After the visit, agents analyze every step of the protective operation, record unusual incidents, and suggest improvements for the future.
Before the protectee's arrival, the lead advance agent holds briefings for all agents and other law enforcement representatives participating in the visit. Personnel are told where they will be posted and are alerted to specific problems associated with the visit. Intelligence information is discussed, identification specified, and emergency options outlined. Just prior to the arrival of the protectee, checkpoints are established, and access to the secured area is limited.
During the visit, Secret Service and local law enforcement personnel form a network of support for members of the detail surrounding the protectee. The Secret Service command post acts as the nerve center for protective activities, monitors emergencies, and keeps all participants in contact with one another.
After the visit, agents analyze every step of the protective operation, record unusual incidents, and suggest improvements for the future.
PROTECTIVE RESEARCH
Protective research is an important ingredient in all security operations. Protective research technicians and engineers develop, test, and maintain technical devices and equipment needed to secure a safe environment for the Service's protectees.
Agents and specialists assigned to protective research also evaluate information received from other law enforcement and intelligence agencies regarding individuals or groups who may pose a threat to protectees. Such information is critical to the Service's protective planning.
UNIFORMED DIVISION
The men and women of the Secret Service Uniformed Division are an integral part of the Service's protective program. First established in 1922 as the White House Police, they were renamed the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division in 1977.
Uniformed Division officers in the White House Branch are responsible for security at the Executive Mansion; the Treasury Building, Annex, and grounds; and the Old and New Executive Office Buildings. Uniformed Division officers clear all visitors, provide fixed posts, and patrol the White House Grounds.
The Foreign Missions Branch of the Uniformed Division safeguards foreign diplomatic missions in the Washington, D.C., area. Officers maintain foot and vehicular patrols in areas where embassies are located. They are assigned to fixed posts at locations where a threat has been received or at installations of countries involved in tense international situations. This Branch also provides security at the Vice President's residence and at the Blair House when foreign dignitaries are in residence.
Uniformed Division officers have additional duties, closely involving them in almost every phase of the Service's protective mission. The Administration and Program Support Branch officers operate magnetometers at the White House and at other sites to prevent persons from taking weapons into secure areas. Uniformed Division canine teams respond to bomb threats, suspicious packages, and other situations where explosive detection is necessary. The Uniformed Division countersniper team performs still other important security functions.
THE SERVICE'S DUAL MISSION
The protective responsibilities of the United States Secret Service represent only half of its mission. The Service was founded in 1865 as a bureau of the Treasury Department. It was originally established to suppress counterfeiting. Although suppressing the counterfeiting of U.S. currency and securities remains a primary mission of the Secret Service, our responsibilities have expanded to include: stolen or forged U.S. Government checks, bonds, and other Government obligations; fraud and related activity in connection with identification documents; and major fraud cases involving credit and debit cards, computers, automated teller machines, telecommunications, or electronic fund transfers.
Planning and maintaining security for individuals and property protected by the United States Secret Service is a complicated and demanding process. The Secret Service is able to fulfill its protective responsibilities because of the cooperation and assistance of private citizens and members of the law enforcement community.
Secret Service protective methods are generally the same for all individuals protected. Permanent protectees, such as the President and First Lady, have details of special agents permanently assigned to them. Temporary protectees, such as candidates and foreign dignitaries, have details of special agents on temporary assignment from the Service's field offices. With the exception of the President, the President-elect, the Vice President, and the Vice President-elect, all individuals entitled to Secret Service protection may decline protection if they choose.
HOW PROTECTION WORKS
Work begins on a protectee's visit to a locality when a lead advance agent is assigned to draw up a security plan. Throughout the planning stages and the visit, the lead agent and his team work closely with the Special Agent in Charge and other personnel from the nearest district field office.
The advance team surveys each site to be visited. From these surveys, the members determine manpower, equipment, and other requirements. Protective research personnel on the advance team conduct electronic and environmental surveys; others select hospitals and evacuation routes for emergencies. Fire, rescue, and other public service personnel in the community are alerted. A command post is established with full communications facilities. The assistance of the military, state, county, and local law enforcement organizations is a vital part of the entire security operation.
Before the protectee's arrival, the lead advance agent holds briefings for all agents and other law enforcement representatives participating in the visit. Personnel are told where they will be posted and are alerted to specific problems associated with the visit. Intelligence information is discussed, identification specified, and emergency options outlined. Just prior to the arrival of the protectee, checkpoints are established, and access to the secured area is limited.
During the visit, Secret Service and local law enforcement personnel form a network of support for members of the detail surrounding the protectee. The Secret Service command post acts as the nerve center for protective activities, monitors emergencies, and keeps all participants in contact with one another.
After the visit, agents analyze every step of the protective operation, record unusual incidents, and suggest improvements for the future.
PROTECTIVE RESEARCH
Protective research is an important ingredient in all security operations. Protective research technicians and engineers develop, test, and maintain technical devices and equipment needed to secure a safe environment for the Service's protectees.
Agents and specialists assigned to protective research also evaluate information received from other law enforcement and intelligence agencies regarding individuals or groups who may pose a threat to protectees. Such information is critical to the Service's protective planning.
UNIFORMED DIVISION
The men and women of the Secret Service Uniformed Division are an integral part of the Service's protective program. First established in 1922 as the White House Police, they were renamed the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division in 1977.
Uniformed Division officers in the White House Branch are responsible for security at the Executive Mansion; the Treasury Building, Annex, and grounds; and the Old and New Executive Office Buildings. Uniformed Division officers clear all visitors, provide fixed posts, and patrol the White House Grounds.
The Foreign Missions Branch of the Uniformed Division safeguards foreign diplomatic missions in the Washington, D.C., area. Officers maintain foot and vehicular patrols in areas where embassies are located. They are assigned to fixed posts at locations where a threat has been received or at installations of countries involved in tense international situations. This Branch also provides security at the Vice President's residence and at the Blair House when foreign dignitaries are in residence.
Uniformed Division officers have additional duties, closely involving them in almost every phase of the Service's protective mission. The Administration and Program Support Branch officers operate magnetometers at the White House and at other sites to prevent persons from taking weapons into secure areas. Uniformed Division canine teams respond to bomb threats, suspicious packages, and other situations where explosive detection is necessary. The Uniformed Division countersniper team performs still other important security functions.
THE SERVICE'S DUAL MISSION
The protective responsibilities of the United States Secret Service represent only half of its mission. The Service was founded in 1865 as a bureau of the Treasury Department. It was originally established to suppress counterfeiting. Although suppressing the counterfeiting of U.S. currency and securities remains a primary mission of the Secret Service, our responsi- bilities have expanded to include: stolen or forged U.S. Government checks, bonds, and other Government obligations; fraud and related activity in connection with identification documents; and major fraud cases involving credit and debit cards, computers, automated teller machines, telecommunications, or electronic fund transfers.
Planning and maintaining security for individuals and property protected by the United States Secret Service is a complicated and demanding process. The Secret Service is able to fulfill its protective responsibilities because of the cooperation and assistance of private citizens and members of the law enforcement community.
The United States Secret Service Uniformed Division has one mission-- protection. Created by Congress on July 1, 1922, at the request of President Warren G. Harding, the force was originally called the White House Police. Its purpose was to provide protection for the Executive Mansion and grounds.
This remains the primary mission of the Uniformed Division; however, their responsibilities have expanded greatly over the years. Today the Uniformed Division is authorized to perform duties (as prescribed by the Director, U.S. Secret Service) in connection with the protection of:
- The White House Complex, the Main Treasury Building and Annex, and other Presidential offices;
- The President and members of the immediate family;
- The temporary official residence of the Vice President in the District of Columbia;
- The Vice President and members of the immediate family;
- Foreign diplomatic missions in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area and throughout the United States, and its territories and possessions, as prescribed by statute.
Officers of the Uniformed Division carry out their protective responsibilities through special support programs and a network of foot patrols, vehicular patrols, and fixed posts.
TRAINING
New appointees receive intensive training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia, and specialized instruction at Secret Service training facilities in the Washington, D.C., area. Training includes course work in police procedures, psychology, police-community relations, criminal law, first aid, laws of arrest, search and seizure, and physical defense techniques. Classroom study is supplemented by on-the-job training and advanced in-service training programs. Firearms and physical fitness training are stressed throughout an officer's career.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The Secret Service Uniformed Division is always interested in qualified applicants. Career opportunities for those selected are excellent. During their careers, officers rotate tours of duty to ensure comprehensive knowledge of all branches of the organization. They may also compete for special assignments to further particular interests or expertise.
REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be United States citizens and have a high school diploma or equivalent. They must possess a valid automobile driver's license and qualify for top secret clearance. Applicants must be less than 35 years of age when appointed to a Uniformed Division Officer position.
Prior to being considered, they must pass a written exam. Qualified applicants will then receive a personal interview and must complete a polygraph examination as a condition of employment. Medical Requirements
Applicants must pass a comprehensive medical examination, which is provided at no cost to the applicant. Vision must be at least 20/40 in each eye, correctable to 20/20. Weight must be in proportion to height.
Selected applicants should be prepared to wait an extended period of time while a thorough background investigation is conducted.
Applicants must pass a comprehensive medical examination, which is provided at no cost to the applicant. Vision must be at least 20/40 in each eye, correctable to 20/20. Weight must be in proportion to height.
Selected applicants should be prepared to wait an extended period of time while a thorough background investigation is conducted.
BENEFITS
- Overtime is compensated at the rate of time and one-half, or through compensatory time off.
- Uniforms and equipment are furnished and replaced at no cost to the officer.
- Officers are eligible for low-cost life insurance. Officers and their immediate families are eligible for membership in low cost Federal health benefit plans.
- Annual leave is earned at the rate of 13 to 26 days per year, based on length of employment. Prior Federal civilian or military service is creditable. Sick leave accumulates at the rate of 13 days per year without limit.
- Paid holidays.
- Excellent retirement benefits.
- Additional retirement credit is granted for prior military or government service, as authorized.
- Reasonable moving expenses to the Washington, D.C., area are paid.
For further information contact:
United States Secret ServicePersonnel Division
1800 G Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20223
Begin Secret Service Code Name Dictionary, And Who Says The Service Doesn’t Have A Sense Of Humor?
Begin Secret Service Code Name Dictionary, And Who Says The Service Doesn’t Have A Sense Of Humor?
Acrobat
Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland
Andy
Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland
Backseat
Secret Service Motorscooter Unit
Bagpipe
Secret Service Liason Unit
Bamboo
Presidential Motorcade
Bandbox
Secret Service White House Unit
Baseball
Secret Service Training Division
Beehive
Secret Service Tech Development Division
Bellhop One
Secret Service Elipse Motorscooters
Bellhop Two
Secret Service White House Motorscooters
Bigtop
Secret Service Treasury Security Division
Birdseye
Department Of State
Blackboard
Secret Service Protective Intelligence Division
Blacktop
Secret Service Foreign Mission Unit
Blowtorch
Secret Service Executive Protection Command Post
Blueprint
Secret Service Tech Security Division
Boardwalk
Secret Service Foreign Mission Division
Bookstore
White House Communications Center
Brimstone
Reagan Ranch, California
Broadside
Nyc Vip Protection Command Post
Buckeye
Camp David, Maryland
Buckshot
Nyc Special Coordination Center
Bulldog
Dc Vip Protection Command Post
Bungalow
Secret Service Foreign Mission Substation
Cableboy
Advance Team (Carter)
Cactus
Camp David, Maryland
Candlestick
Vip Portable Communications Command Post
Carbine
Cct Anacostia Naval Air Station, Dc
Carnation
Cct, Ft Ritchie, Md
Carpet
Army Garage, White House
Cartwheel
Nsa, Ft. Meade, Maryland
Cement Mixer
White House Situation Room
Challenger
Presidential Nightwatch
Chandelier
Department Of State
Checkerboard
Advance Team (Carter)
Checkmate
Advance Team (Carter)
Cloudburst
Anacostia Naval Air Station
Cloverleaf
Vice President's Residence
Coach House
Dulles Airport, Washington Dc
Cobweb
Vice President's Office
Companion
Blair House, Washington Dc
Crossbow
Whca Op's Desk
Crown
White House Communications Center
Curbside
National Airport, Washington Dc
Driftwood
Carter Home, Georgia
Elm
Camp David, Maryland
Fireside
Secretary Of State Residence
Fog Horn
State Department Security Division
Handshake
Secret Service Office
Headlight
Secret Service Garage, Washington Dc
Hill Top
Treasury Department
Horsepower
White House Presidential Protective Div
Hudson
Nixon Office, New York
Lightfoot
Madison Hotel, Washington Dc
Lizard
Secret Service Mobile Command Post
Magic
Helicopter Coordination Command Post
Pacemaker
Vice President's Staff
Pavillion
Vice President's Office
Peninsula
New Senate Office Building
Pincushion
Rayburn Office Building, Washington DC
Playground
Helicopter Pad, Pentagon
Pork Chop
Old Senate Office Building
Professor
Longworth Building, Washington, Dc
Punch Bowl
Capitol Building
Ridgeline
Reagan Residence, California
Ringside
Madison Square Garden, New York
Roadhouse
Waldorf Astoria, New York
Sandstone
Reagan Residence, California
Shotgun
New York City Command Post
Skymaster
Andrews Air Force Base Command Post
Store Room
Truman Library, Missouri
Storm King
Nixon Residence, New Jersey
Tool Room
Vice President's Office
Tower
Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland
Volcano
Lbj Ranch, Texas
Warehouse
Sheraton Center, New York
Windstone
Reagan Residence, California
Objects And Events
Angel
Air Force One
Caliber
Portable Communications Package
Caravan
Vp Follow Car (Carter)
Carbine One
Portable Communications Package
Cargo
Mrs. Mondale's Car
Carousel
Air Force Two
Chariot
Mondale Vehicle
Cowpuncher
Air Force One
Dog Pound
Press Aircraft
Electric
National Emergency Command Aircraft
Falcon
President's Air Cover Aircraft
Fullback
State Department Security Van
Halfback
President's Follow Vehicle
Hedgehog
Fire Truck
Holly
Army Helicopter
Horsehide
Ambulance
Huntsman
New York City Surveillance Helicopter
Kneecap
Emergency Escape Aircraft
Marine One
President's Helicopter
Marine Two
Vice President's Helicopter
Nighthawk
President's Helicopter
Patroller
Vice President's Helicopter
Pivot
Medevac - Bethesda, Maryland
Roadrunner
Whca Communications Van
Saturn
Vice President's Aircraft
Signature
Press Helicopter
Softpack
A Shotgun
Stagecoach
President's Limousine
Tracer
Vice President's Lead Vehicle
Tracker
Vice President's Follow Vehicle
Trail Breaker
Vice President's Official Limo
Treasure Ship
Air Force Two
Wheels Down
Presidential Aircraft Has Landed
Wheels Up
Presidential Aircraft Has Taken Off
People
Calico
Eleanor Mondale
Cameo
Joan Mondale
Cannonball
Rear Admiral J.A. Chaney
Cavalier
Walter Mondale
Cedar
Menachem Begin
Centurion
Theodore Mondale
Chessman
William Mondale
Christopher
Bebe Rebozo
Clam Chowder
Ron Nessen
Claw Hammer
Alexander Haig
Coppertone
Rose Kennedy
Crystal
Chassiah Begin Milo
Daily
Prince Charles
Dancer
Rosalynn Carter
Dasher
Jimmy Carter
Deacon
Jimmy Carter
Deckhand
Jeff Carter
Derby
Jack Carter
Diamond
Chip Carter
Digger
James Carter Iv
Dragon
Walter Mondale
Duchess
Sarah Carter
Dusty
Jason Carter
Dynamo
Amy Carter
Eagle
Bill Clinton
Evergreen
Hillary Clinton
Fadeaway
Secretary Of State
Fan Jet
John Block
Fencing Master
Secretary Of Treasury
Finley
Secretary Of Defense
Fireplug
Secretary Of Labor
Fire Truck
James Edward
Fistfight
Secretary Of Hew
Flag Day
Speaker, House Of Representatives
Flivver
William French Smith
Flotus
The First Lady
Flying Fish
Secretary Of The Interior
Footprint
Senator Strom Thurmond
Forefinger
Jan Pierce
Forward Look
Neil Baldrigger
Foxcraft
Terrell Bell
Halo
Pope John Paul II
Hawkeye
Z. Brzezinski
Hercules (Number)
Counter-Sniper Response Team Member
Hotshot
Duty Officer, Whca
Instructor
Eugene Mccarthy
Kittyhawk
Queen Elizabeth Ii
Lancer
John F. Kennedy
Lock Master
Jimmy Carter
Lotus Petal
Rosalynn Carter
Miracle
John Anderson
Napoleon
Frank Sinatra
Pass Key
Gerald Ford
Peso
Susan Ford
Pinafore
Betty Ford
Potus
President Of The United States
Principal
Prince Charles
Radiant
Doria Reagan
Rainbow
Nancy Reagan
Rawhide
Ronald Reagan
Redfern
Queen Elizabeth II
Redwood
Gary Hart
Reliant
Ronald P. Reagan
Rhyme
Maureen Reagan
Ribbon
Patti Reagan Davis
Riddler
Michael Reagan
Rosebud
Maureen Reagan
Scarlet
Kele Anderson
Scorecard
Dan Quayle
Searchlight
Richard Nixon
Sheepskin
George Bush
Snapshot
Howard Baker
Snowbank
Barbara Bush
Snowstorm
George Bush
Springtime
Mamie Eisenhower
Staircase
First Family Detail Officer
Starburst
John Anderson
Stardust
John Anderson
Starlight
Pat Nixon
Strawberry
Rosemary Woods
Sunburn
Ted Kennedy
Sundance
Ethel Kennedy
Sunshine
Marilyn Quayle
Supervisor
Dan Quayle
Swordfish
Phillip Crane
Thunder
Jesse Jackson
Tiller
Dorothy Bush
Timberwolf
George Bush
Tranquility
Barbara Bush
Trapline
Neil Bush
Tripper
J. Bush
Tumbler
George Bush, Jr.
Tuner
Marvin Bush
Unicorn
Prince Charles
Victoria
Ladybird Johnson
Volunteer
Lyndon Johnson
Welcome
J.R. Haldeman
Whaleboat
Ron Ziegler
Wisdom
J. Ehrlichman
Woodcutter
Henry Kissinger
Unknown
Apollo
Backhoe
Ballfield
Barefoot
Buscuit
Bullpen
Bunker
Carbon
Castle
Champion
Citadel
Clothes Brush
Corkscrew
Fable
Fiddler
Fraction
Gimlet
Gladiola
Goffer
Hobnail
Kiley
Mustang
Pushbutton
Rainbow Trail
Register
Rob Roy
Rosebush
Sandbox
Sawhorse
Shadow
Smelter
Spectator
Stutter
Sugarfoot
Tailor
Templer
Tinkerbell
Traffic
Transit
Walnut
Secret Service VHF radios are set up as follows:
Channel
Designation
1
BAKER
2
CHARLIE
3
MIKE
4
TANGO
5
OSCAR
6
PAPA
7
BAKER REPEATER (165.7875/164.4000)
8
CHARLIE REPEATER (165.3750/166.4000)
Frequencies A through Z
Alpha
32.2300
WHCA-Transportation (vans) (possible DC base)
Baker
165.7875
USSS-Field Offices, President/VP/VIP security
Charlie
165.3750
USSS-Field Offices/Protection, command post coordination (Nationwide Primary)
Delta
169.9250
WHCA-Marine Security Detachment, vans
Echo
407.8500
WHCA-SAM Uplink (Air Force 1 phone patch ground uplink)
Foxtrot
415.7000
WHCA-SAM Downlink (Air Force 1 phone patch aircraft downlink)
Golf
166.4000
USSS-Field Offices
165.7625
Input to 165.3750 repeaters
Hotel
167.9000
WHCA-V.P. Staff/White House Garage
165.6875
166.2125
President/VP Security
India
407.9250
USSS-Headquarters (Treasury Security Force)
166.2000
Juliet
170.0000
USSS-Paging/Camp David
Kilo
167.8250
Duplex Phone-Pres Res/LBJ, WHCA
Lima
168.7875
Duplex Phone-Pres Res/LBJ, WHCA (voice scramblers)
Lavender
418.1250
WHCA-Transportation
Mike
165.2125
USSS-Dignitary/Former Pres Protection, Counterfeit Division
November
166.7000
WHCA-White House Staff
Oscar
164.8875
USSS-Presidential Protection Division (PPD), WHCA
Papa
164.4000
USSS-Field Offices/Protection, input to 165.2125 repeaters
Quebec
Romeo
166.4000
Input to 165.7875 repeaters
164.4000
USSS-Repeater Outputs
Sierra
166.5125
WHCA-White House Staff
Tango
164.6500
USSS-Field Offices/Protection, Presidential/VP Security
Uniform
361.6000
AF-1 Communications
165.0875
Victor
164.1000
WHCA, Presidential/VP Protection
Whiskey
167.0250
WHCA-Paging
X-ray
********
SEE BELOW
Yankee
162.6875
WHCA-Presidential phone uplink or downlink
Zulu
171.2875
WHCA-Presidential phone downlink or uplink
The Treasury Common frequency is 166.4625.
X-ray is the reserve frequency pool and is not Treasury Common. Frequencies here are used whenever a new frequency is needed.
X-ray frequencies
164.7500164.8000165.2625165.3375165.4125165.5125165.6500165.6875165.8500165.9000166.0500166.2000166.5625166.5875166.6375166.8000167.9000
The most active frequencies used before and during a presidential or vice presidential visit are Baker, Charlie, Mike, and Tango, as well as any channel designated for use by the WHCA.
The frequency used most as a nationwide primary repeater channel is Charlie, followed by Baker. Former presidents' security use Mike. Oscar is used for presidential protection nationwide and Papa is used for White House perimeter patrols.
Pres Nighthawk Aircraft Fleet (HMX)
Transport
46.7500
Transport
375.0000
VIP Transport Net
34.3500
Command Post
142.7500
Squadron Common
265.8000
USMC helicopters
46.7000, 46.7500, 46.8000, 122.8500, 375.0000
Other Phone Patches
Nationwide-2
407.4750
uplink
Nationwide-2
415.8000
downlink
Limousines (Local/DC)
407.4500
duplex
Limousines (Local/DC)
408.2000
duplex
USSS Uniform Division (All repeaters use PL 103.5 Hz)
Gray
418.3500/407.7500
White House
Orange
418.7750/414.9500
White House
Brown
414.8500/418.8000
Foreign Missions
Red
415.9750/419.7250
Foreign Missions
Silver
415.6500/419.1000
Foreign Missions
Yellow
414.6750/418.1500, 415.9500 WHCA ("Boardwalk")
Foreign Missions Patrol Primary
Training Division: Beltsville, MD
Green
415.7500/407.8750
Black
415.1000/418.3250
Blue
414.8000
Violet
415.8000
Communications Division:
Gold
415.6750/419.0750
Lavender
418.1250
WHCA Transportation
White
407.6750
Technical Security Division (Special Use)
F-1
408.0000
F-2
411.0000
F-3
408.5000
F-4
408.9750
Pres Nighthawk Aircraft Fleet (HMX)
Transport
46.7500
Transport
375.0000
VIP Transport Net
34.3500
Command Post
142.7500
Squadron Common
265.8000
USMC helicopters
46.7000, 46.7500, 46.8000, 122.8500, 375.0000
Other Phone Patches
Nationwide-2
407.4750
uplink
Nationwide-2
415.8000
downlink
Limousines (Local/DC)
407.4500
duplex
Limousines (Local/DC)
408.2000
duplex
USSS Uniform Division (All repeaters use PL 103.5 Hz)
Gray
418.3500/407.7500
White House
Orange
418.7750/414.9500
White House
Brown
414.8500/418.8000
Foreign Missions
Red
415.9750/419.7250
Foreign Missions
Silver
415.6500/419.1000
Foreign Missions
Yellow
414.6750/418.1500, 415.9500 WHCA ("Boardwalk")
Foreign Missions Patrol Primary
Training Division: Beltsville, MD
Green
415.7500/407.8750
Black
415.1000/418.3250
Blue
414.8000
Violet
415.8000
Communications Division:
Gold
415.6750/419.0750
Lavender
418.1250
WHCA Transportation
White
407.6750
Technical Security Division (Special Use)
F-1
408.0000
F-2
411.0000
F-3
408.5000
F-4
408.9750
NOTES: Frequencies in 407 Mhz band are used for agents' body radios with "wristwatch" microphones.
WHCA stands for White House Communications Agency.
The PL used by the Secret Service is 103.5 Hz.
The above info was gathered from several sources. Not all sources agreed on the same frequencies.
A NUMERICAL LISTING OF EVERY KNOWN SECRET SERVICE FREQUENCY
Frequency
Description
32.2300
(ABLE)
32.2300
(ALPHA) WHCA - TRANSPORTATION (VANS) (POSSIBLE DC BASE)
32.3200
(ABLE)
34.0700
34.3500
VIP TRANSPORT NET
46.7000
USMC HELICOPTERS
46.7500
TRANSPORT, USMC HELICOPTERS
46.8000
USMC HELICOPTERS
122.8500
USMC HELICOPTERS
142.7500
COMMAND POST
162.3750
162.6875
(YANKEE) WHCA - PRESIDENTIAL PHONE UPLINK OR DOWNLINK
163.0000
163.3625
163.4000
163.7375
163.7750
163.8125
163.9125
164.1000
(VICTOR) WHCA, PRESIDENTIAL/VP PROTECTION
164.4000
(PAPA) USSS - FIELD OFFICES/PROTECTION, INPUT TO 165.2125 REPEATERS
164.4000
(ROMEO) USSS - REPEATER OUTPUTS
164.6500
(TANGO) USSS - FIELD OFFICES/PROTECTION, PRESIDENTIAL/VP SECURITY
164.7500
(X-RAY)
164.8000
(PAIRED WITH 165.8500)
164.8000
(X-RAY)
164.8875
(OSCAR) USSS - PRESIDENTIAL PROTECTION DIVISION (PPD), WHCA
165.0875
(PAIRED WITH 166.2000)
165.0875
(PAIRED WITH 166.2125)
165.0875
(UNIFORM)
165.2125
(MIKE) USSS - DIGNITARY/FORMER PRES PROTECTION, COUNTERFEIT DIVISION
165.2250
165.2625
(X-RAY)
165.2875
165.3375
(X-RAY)
165.3750
(CHARLIE) USSS - FIELD OFFICES/PROTECTION, COMMAND POST COORDINATION (NATIONWIDE PRIMARY)
165.4125
(X-RAY)
165.5125
(PAIRED WITH 166.4875)
165.5125
(X-RAY)
165.6500
(PAIRED WITH 166.6375)
165.6500
(X-RAY)
165.6750
165.6875
(HOTEL)
165.6875
(X-RAY)
165.6875
WASHINGTON FIELD OFFICE (PAIRED WITH 166.2125)
165.7625
(GOLF) INPUT TO 165.3750 REPEATERS
165.7875
(BAKER) USSS - FIELD OFFICES, PRESIDENT/VP/VIP SECURITY
165.8500
(PAIRED WITH 164.8000)
165.8500
(X-RAY)
165.8625
165.9000
(X-RAY)
165.9125
166.0500
(X-RAY)
166.2000
(INDIA)
166.2000
(PAIRED WITH 165.0875)
166.2000
(X-RAY)
166.2000
WASHINGTON FIELD OFFICE
166.2125
(HOTEL) PRESIDENT/VP SECURITY
166.2125
(PAIRED WITH 165.0875)
166.2125
WASHINGTON FIELD OFFICE (PAIRED WITH 165.6875)
166.3750
166.4000
(GOLF) USSS - FIELD OFFICES
166.4000
(ROMEO) INPUT TO 165.7875 REPEATERS
166.4625
TREASURY COMMON
166.4875
(PAIRED WITH 165.5125)
166.5125
(ALPHA)
166.5125
(SIERRA) WHCA - WHITE HOUSE STAFF
166.5625
(X-RAY)
166.5875
(X-RAY)
166.6375
(PAIRED WITH 165.6500)
166.6375
(X-RAY)
166.7000
(NOVEMBER) WHCA - WHITE HOUSE STAFF
166.8000
(X-RAY)
167.0250
(WHISKEY) WHCA - PAGING
167.3125
167.4500
167.6125
167.8250
(KILO) DUPLEX PHONE-PRES RES/LBJ, WHCA
167.9000
(HOTEL) WHCA - V.P. STAFF/WHITE HOUSE GARAGE
167.9000
(X-RAY)
168.2250
168.4000
168.4500
168.5750
168.7875
(LIMA) DUPLEX PHONE-PRES RES/LBJ, WHCA (VOICE SCRAMBLERS)
169.9250
(DELTA) WHCA - MARINE SECURITY DETACHMENT, VANS
170.0000
(JULIET) USSS PAGING/CAMP DAVID
171.2875
(ZULU) WHCA - PRESIDENTIAL PHONE DOWNLINK OR UPLINK
265.8000
SQUADRON COMMON
361.6000
(UNIFORM) AF-1 COMMUNICATIONS
375.0000
TRANSPORT, USMC HELICOPTERS
406.2625
406.4250
407.4500
WASHINGTON DC LIMOUSINES
407.4750
NATIONWIDE-2 UPLINK
407.6750
(WHITE)
407.7500
(GRAY) WHITE HOUSE (PAIRED WITH 418.3500)
407.8000
407.8250
SUIT RADIOS
407.8500
(ECHO) WHCA - SAM UPLINK (AIR FORCE 1 PHONE PATCH GROUND UPLINK)
407.8750
(GREEN) TRAINING DIVISION (PAIRED WITH 415.7500)
407.8750
SUIT RADIOS
407.9250
(INDIA) USSS HEADQUARTERS (TREASURY SECURITY FORCE)
407.9500
407.9750
408.0000
TECHNICAL SECURITY DIVISION (F-1)
408.2000
WASHINGTON DC LIMOUSINES
408.5000
TECHNICAL SECURITY DIVISION (F-3)
408.6250
WHCA
408.6500
WHCA
408.6750
WHCA
408.7000
WHCA
408.7250
WHCA
408.7500
WHCA
408.7750
WHCA
408.8000
WHCA
408.8250
WHCA
408.8500
WHCA
408.8750
WHCA
408.9000
WHCA
408.9250
WHCA
408.9500
WHCA
408.9750
TECHNICAL SECURITY DIVISION (F-4)
408.9750
WHCA
409.9000
WHCA
411.0000
TECHNICAL SECURITY DIVISION (F-2)
414.6750
(YELLOW) WHCA, FOREIGN MISSIONS (PAIRED WITH 418.1500)
414.8000
(BLUE) TRAINING DIVISION
414.8500
(BROWN) FOREIGN MISSIONS (PAIRED WITH 418.8000)
414.9500
(ORANGE) WHITE HOUSE (PAIRED WITH 418.7750)
415.1000
(BLACK) TRAINING DIVISION (PAIRED WITH 418.3250)
415.6500
(SILVER) FOREIGN MISSIONS (PAIRED WITH 419.1000)
415.6750
(GOLD) COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION (PAIRED WITH 419.0750)
415.7000
(FOXTROT) WHCA - SAM DOWNLINK (AIR FORCE 1 PHONE PATCH AIRCRAFT DOWNLINK)
415.7250
415.7500
(GREEN) TRAINING DIVISION (PAIRED WITH 407.8750)
415.8000
(VIOLET) TRAINING DIVISION
415.8000
NATIONWIDE-2 DOWNLINK
415.9500
WHCA FOREIGN MISSIONS PATROL PRIMARY
415.9750
(RED) FOREIGN MISSIONS (PAIRED WITH 419.7250)
417.7500
418.1250
(LAVENDER) WHCA TRANSPORTATION
418.1500
(YELLOW) WHCA, FOREIGN MISSIONS (PAIRED WITH 414.6750)
418.1750
WHCA
418.3250
(BLACK) TRAINING DIVISION (PAIRED WITH 415.1000)
418.3500
(GRAY) WHITE HOUSE (PAIRED WITH 407.7500)
418.6500
WHCA
418.7750
(ORANGE) WHITE HOUSE (PAIRED WITH 414.9500)
418.8000
(BROWN) FOREIGN MISSIONS (PAIRED WITH 414.8500)
419.0750
(GOLD) COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION (PAIRED WITH 415.6750)
419.1000
(SILVER) FOREIGN MISSIONS (PAIRED WITH 415.6500)
419.7250
(RED) FOREIGN MISSIONS (PAIRED WITH 415.9750)
Presidents
Lyndon Johnson - Volunteer
Richard Nixon - Searchlight
Gerald Ford - Pass Key
Jimmy Carter - Deacon
Ronald Reagan - Rawhide (Reagan was an actor famous for Westerns)
George Bush - Timberwolf
Bill Clinton - Eagle
George W. Bush - Tumbler
Vice Presidents
Walter Mondale - Cavalier
Dan Quayle - Scorecard
Al Gore - Sawhorse (later, Sundance)
First Ladies
Ladybird Johnson - Victoria
Betty Ford - Pinafore
Rosalyn Carter - Dancer
Nancy Reagan - Rainbow
Barbara Bush - Snowbank
Hillary Clinton - Evergreen
Other American Figures
Rose Kennedy - Coppertone
Alexander Haig - Clawhammer
Strom Thurmond - Footprint
Frank Sinatra - Napoleon
Jesse Jackson - Thunder
Jed Bush - Tripper
Henry Kissinger - Woodcutter
Michael Dukakis - Peso
Bob Dole - Ramrod
Foreign Dignitaries
Pope John Paul II - Halo
Prince Charles - Unicorn
Queen Elizabeth II - Kitty Hawk
Positions
Secretary Of The Interior - Flying Fish
First Family Detail Officer - Staircase
Speaker Of The House - Flag Day
Secretary Of State - Fadeaway
Secretary Of Theasurer - Finley
Secretary Of Labor - Fireplug
Secretary Of Housing, Education, & Welfare - Fistfight
Objects and places also receive code names. Air Force One is referred to as Angel, or alternately 'Cowpuncher'. The Capitol Building is 'Punchbowl', and Camp David is either 'Buckeye' or 'Cactus'. The White House Situation Room is the 'Cement Mixer', and Dulles is 'Curbside'.
printable versionchaos
Nicknames accorded by George W. Bush
Secret Service Frequencies by User Name
Making a decent bomb threat
White House toilet paper crisis
Tumbler
The Tong
Camp David
code name
Military service in Finland
Cement Mixer
Flying fish
United States Secret Service
MI6
Washington Dulles International Airport
Association of Flight Attendants
German code names in World War II
Naming operations
Rose Kennedy Greenway
Secret Service
U.S. Secretary of the Treasury
Michael Dukakis
Secret Service VHF radios are set up as follows:Channel Designation1 BAKER2 CHARLIE3 MIKE4 TANGO5 OSCAR6 PAPA7 BAKER REPEATER (165.7875/164.4000)8 CHARLIE REPEATER (165.3750/166.4000)Frequencies A through ZAlpha 32.2300 WHCA-Transportation (vans) (possible DC base)Baker 165.7875 USSS-Field Offices, President/VP/VIP securityCharlie 165.3750 USSS-Field Offices/Protection, command post coordination (Nationwide Primary)Delta 169.9250 WHCA-Marine Security Detachment, vansEcho 407.8500 WHCA-SAM Uplink (Air Force 1 phone patch ground uplink)Foxtrot 415.7000 WHCA-SAM Downlink (Air Force 1 phone patch aircraft downlink)Golf 166.4000 USSS-Field Offices 165.7625 Input to 165.3750 repeatersHotel 167.9000 WHCA-V.P. Staff/White House Garage 165.6875 166.2125 President/VP SecurityIndia 407.9250 USSS-Headquarters (Treasury Security Force) 166.2000Juliet 170.0000 USSS-Paging/Camp DavidKilo 167.8250 Duplex Phone-Pres Res/LBJ, WHCALima 168.7875 Duplex Phone-Pres Res/LBJ, WHCA (voice scramblers)Lavender 418.1250 WHCA-TransportationMike 165.2125 USSS-Dignitary/Former Pres Protection, Counterfeit DivisionNovember 166.7000 WHCA-White House StaffOscar 164.8875 USSS-Presidential Protection Division (PPD), WHCAPapa 164.4000 USSS-Field Offices/Protection, input to 165.2125 repeatersQuebec ---Romeo 166.4000 Input to 165.7875 repeaters 164.4000 USSS-Repeater OutputsSierra 166.5125 WHCA-White House StaffTango 164.6500 USSS-Field Offices/Protection, Presidential/VP SecurityUniform 361.6000 AF-1 Communications 165.0875Victor 164.1000 WHCA, Presidential/VP ProtectionWhiskey 167.0250 WHCA-PagingX-ray ******** SEE BELOWYankee 162.6875 WHCA-Presidential phone uplink or downlinkZulu 171.2875 WHCA-Presidential phone downlink or uplinkThe Treasury Common frequency is 166.4625.X-ray is the reserve frequency pool and is not Treasury Common. Frequencies here are used whenever a new frequency is needed.X-ray frequencies164.7500164.8000165.2625165.3375165.4125165.5125165.6500165.6875165.8500165.9000166.0500166.2000166.5625166.5875166.6375166.8000167.9000The most active frequencies used before and during a presidential or vice presidential visit are Baker, Charlie, Mike, and Tango, as well as any channel designated for use by the WHCA. The frequency used most as a nationwide primary repeater channel is Charlie, followed by Baker. Former presidents' security use Mike. Oscar is used for presidential protection nationwide and Papa is used for White House perimeter patrols.Pres Nighthawk Aircraft Fleet (HMX)Transport 46.7500Transport 375.0000VIP Transport Net 34.3500Command Post 142.7500Squadron Common 265.8000USMC helicopters 46.7000, 46.7500, 46.8000, 122.8500, 375.0000Other Phone PatchesNationwide-2 407.4750 uplinkNationwide-2 415.8000 downlinkLimousines (Local/DC) 407.4500 duplexLimousines (Local/DC) 408.2000 duplexUSSS Uniform Division (All repeaters use PL 103.5 Hz)Gray 418.3500/407.7500 White HouseOrange 418.7750/414.9500 White HouseBrown 414.8500/418.8000 Foreign MissionsRed 415.9750/419.7250 Foreign MissionsSilver 415.6500/419.1000 Foreign MissionsYellow 414.6750/418.1500, 415.9500 WHCA Foreign Missions Patrol ("Boardwalk") PrimaryTraining Division: Beltsville, MDGreen 415.7500/407.8750Black 415.1000/418.3250Blue 414.8000Violet 415.8000Communications Division:Gold 415.6750/419.0750Other:Lavender 418.1250 WHCA TransportationWhite 407.6750Technical Security Division (Special Use)F-1 408.0000F-2 411.0000F-3 408.5000F-4 408.9750NOTES: Frequencies in 407 Mhz band are used for agents' body radios with "wristwatch" microphones.WHCA stands for White House Communications Agency.The PL used by the Secret Service is 103.5 Hz.
When Some One Asks You: “What Do You Think Those Agents Carry For Firearms; you have the answer.”
The Sig P-229 in .40 S&W caliber was a long time coming. The first prototype was shown to a few writers at a 1991 Gun Show, but Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft, or SIG, unlike some other manufacturers, did not rush its .40 S&W caliber pistol into production. They waited until they were sure they had everything right.
And let me tell you the P-229 is a pistol that was worth the wait.
The past few years have witnessed a revolution in police firearms as American law enforcement agencies have finally embraced the semi-auto pistol. A number of different firms, both foreign and domestic, and an even larger number of competing designs have been struggling to capture control of this market. For a long time, in the beginning, it was anyone's race, but now it can be argued the leaders of the pack have thinned to three major competitors.
They are the Beretta Model 92, the Glock series of handguns, and the SIG pistols. The success of Beretta can be attributed to a number of factors, but the fact the U.S. Army adopted it to replace the venerable 1911 pistol is probably the most indicative aspect of its success.
Glock pistols are worn by an ever-increasing number of American police officers for many sound and logical reasons. The popular Glock series of pistols has been one of the most significant developments in handgun design for the past decade. Price, light weight, good ergonomics, and high round capacity are the four most obvious attributes of this well- received police pistol.
But, when you examine the handgun of choice used by the various federal law enforcement agencies of the United States government as well as the state and local agencies throughout the United States, one thing becomes increasingly clear. The SIG pistols are big winners.
SIG-produced pistols are used by the FBI, the DEA, the Secret Service, and the BATF, as well as a number of smaller federal agencies. The P-228 was recently adopted by the U.S. Army as the M-11, or the concealment pistol for undercover or plain clothes operatives for the military. The FBI experienced some problems with their version of the 10mm Smith & Wesson pistols, leading them to go to the SIG P-226 and P-228 for their newly trained special agents. (S&W, in the meantime, has addressed the FBI's concerns and is delivering pistols to the bureau.)
They are the Beretta Model 92, the Glock series of handguns, and the SIG pistols. The success of Beretta can be attributed to a number of factors, but the fact the U.S. Army adopted it to replace the venerable 1911 pistol is probably the most indicative aspect of its success.
Glock pistols are worn by an ever-increasing number of American police officers for many sound and logical reasons. The popular Glock series of pistols has been one of the most significant developments in handgun design for the past decade. Price, light weight, good ergonomics, and high round capacity are the four most obvious attributes of this well- received police pistol.
But, when you examine the handgun of choice used by the various federal law enforcement agencies of the United States government as well as the state and local agencies throughout the United States, one thing becomes increasingly clear. The SIG pistols are big winners.
SIG-produced pistols are used by the FBI, the DEA, the Secret Service, and the BATF, as well as a number of smaller federal agencies. The P-228 was recently adopted by the U.S. Army as the M-11, or the concealment pistol for undercover or plain clothes operatives for the military. The FBI experienced some problems with their version of the 10mm Smith & Wesson pistols, leading them to go to the SIG P-226 and P-228 for their newly trained special agents. (S&W, in the meantime, has addressed the FBI's concerns and is delivering pistols to the bureau.)
The SIG pistols operate in a manner exactly like that required by the agency, and they operate with a degree of reliability that was unheard of only a decade ago for any auto-pistol, regardless of make or model.
Swiss Army Gun
Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft was established in 1853 to manufacture small arms for the Swiss Army. SIG has always been a Swiss firm, but in the 1970s it joined with the German firm of J. P. Sauer & Sohn to market handguns worldwide due to the limitations placed on the export of small arms by the Swiss government. This explains the name SIG-Sauer so often seen and heard in the United States.
Around the turn of the century SIG became involved in manufacturing parts and components for the Swiss service pistol - the Parabellum, commonly known in this country as the German Luger. The Parabellum served the Swiss well, establishing a good reputation for accuracy, if not complete reliability. The Swiss and SIG, in particular, began searching for a better design during the late 1930s and eventually settled upon a design sold to the French by Charles Petter.
A license for the 1935 French service pistol was obtained in 1937 from the French government and SACM, the French firm manufacturing the Petter design. A number of experimental models were built over an extended period starting before World War II and ending just after the war. Eventually, this pistol was adopted as the Model SP 47/8, which is known today as the Model 210.
The Model 210
By all standards, the SIG Model 210 is generally regarded as the most accurate 9x19mm semi-auto pistol in the world. It is often referred to as the most elegant and accurate of all 9mm service pistols available, anywhere! What isn't generally known, however, is the fact that in 1944 SIG developed an experimental model called the "Neuhausen 44/16" that was, essentially, an early high-capacity version of the Model 210 featuring a magazine that held 16 rounds.
Reportedly, it was a good design and it was not extremely large in the grip area, but there was little interest in a 16-shooter at the time, so the Neuhausen 44/8 was developed into the SP 47/8, or the 9mm Ordonnanzpistole 49 (with an eight-round magazine) as it was called initially. In 1957, the SP 47/8 was renamed the Model 210. Besides being an extremely accurate pistol, the 210 is also a very expensive handgun. SIG, realizing this high cost was hurting sales, began development of a new pistol in the 1960s.
In 1974, the SIG P-220 was introduced. The P-220 is a large pistol, chambered initially in 9x 19mm, and was almost immediately chosen by the Swiss military as the Pistole 75. The P-220 wasn't imported into the United States until 1977, and then it was by two different importers. Both Browning and Hawes National Corp. of Van Nuys, Calif., had import agreements to being the first Sig P-220 pistols into the country. The Sig P-220 was chambered for the 9x19mm, the .38 Super, and the .45 ACP rounds. Hawes soon fell by the wayside and Browning for a period of time was the sole importer of the Sig P-220.
The German Police Trials of 1975 fostered development of the Sig P-225, which was a smaller version of the P-220. At first the P-225 was chambered for only one caliber - the 9x19mm. The P-225 was both smaller and lighter than the 9mm version of the P-220, but it suffered the loss of only one round in terms of its magazine capacity. (The P-225 magazine holds eight rounds, while the 9mm P-220 magazine holds nine.) The P-225 came out of the German Police Trials as one of the three finalists acceptable for duty. It became known as the P-6 in company with the Walther P-5, and the Heckler & Koch P-7.
The next 9mm SIG pistol was the P-226 and it came in answer to the request by the American military for a high capacity 9x19mm pistol to replace the aging 1911 pistols in U.S. inventory. The P-226 did quite well in the lengthy and extensive trials that followed, and was almost selected. The decision to adopt the Beretta 92 over the SIG P-226 reportedly came down to which pistol was cheaper, while some authorities have suggested that other, unseen influences were at work.
In any event, the P-226 did not win the JSSAP service pistol trials, but it did go on to establish an enviable reputation for reliability. This reputation for reliability and complete functioning combined together with a new attitude on the part of many in Ametican law enforcement, who valued only those firearms that worked, produced sales acceptance for the Sig.
Swiss Army Gun
Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft was established in 1853 to manufacture small arms for the Swiss Army. SIG has always been a Swiss firm, but in the 1970s it joined with the German firm of J. P. Sauer & Sohn to market handguns worldwide due to the limitations placed on the export of small arms by the Swiss government. This explains the name SIG-Sauer so often seen and heard in the United States.
Around the turn of the century SIG became involved in manufacturing parts and components for the Swiss service pistol - the Parabellum, commonly known in this country as the German Luger. The Parabellum served the Swiss well, establishing a good reputation for accuracy, if not complete reliability. The Swiss and SIG, in particular, began searching for a better design during the late 1930s and eventually settled upon a design sold to the French by Charles Petter.
A license for the 1935 French service pistol was obtained in 1937 from the French government and SACM, the French firm manufacturing the Petter design. A number of experimental models were built over an extended period starting before World War II and ending just after the war. Eventually, this pistol was adopted as the Model SP 47/8, which is known today as the Model 210.
The Model 210
By all standards, the SIG Model 210 is generally regarded as the most accurate 9x19mm semi-auto pistol in the world. It is often referred to as the most elegant and accurate of all 9mm service pistols available, anywhere! What isn't generally known, however, is the fact that in 1944 SIG developed an experimental model called the "Neuhausen 44/16" that was, essentially, an early high-capacity version of the Model 210 featuring a magazine that held 16 rounds.
Reportedly, it was a good design and it was not extremely large in the grip area, but there was little interest in a 16-shooter at the time, so the Neuhausen 44/8 was developed into the SP 47/8, or the 9mm Ordonnanzpistole 49 (with an eight-round magazine) as it was called initially. In 1957, the SP 47/8 was renamed the Model 210. Besides being an extremely accurate pistol, the 210 is also a very expensive handgun. SIG, realizing this high cost was hurting sales, began development of a new pistol in the 1960s.
In 1974, the SIG P-220 was introduced. The P-220 is a large pistol, chambered initially in 9x 19mm, and was almost immediately chosen by the Swiss military as the Pistole 75. The P-220 wasn't imported into the United States until 1977, and then it was by two different importers. Both Browning and Hawes National Corp. of Van Nuys, Calif., had import agreements to being the first Sig P-220 pistols into the country. The Sig P-220 was chambered for the 9x19mm, the .38 Super, and the .45 ACP rounds. Hawes soon fell by the wayside and Browning for a period of time was the sole importer of the Sig P-220.
The German Police Trials of 1975 fostered development of the Sig P-225, which was a smaller version of the P-220. At first the P-225 was chambered for only one caliber - the 9x19mm. The P-225 was both smaller and lighter than the 9mm version of the P-220, but it suffered the loss of only one round in terms of its magazine capacity. (The P-225 magazine holds eight rounds, while the 9mm P-220 magazine holds nine.) The P-225 came out of the German Police Trials as one of the three finalists acceptable for duty. It became known as the P-6 in company with the Walther P-5, and the Heckler & Koch P-7.
The next 9mm SIG pistol was the P-226 and it came in answer to the request by the American military for a high capacity 9x19mm pistol to replace the aging 1911 pistols in U.S. inventory. The P-226 did quite well in the lengthy and extensive trials that followed, and was almost selected. The decision to adopt the Beretta 92 over the SIG P-226 reportedly came down to which pistol was cheaper, while some authorities have suggested that other, unseen influences were at work.
In any event, the P-226 did not win the JSSAP service pistol trials, but it did go on to establish an enviable reputation for reliability. This reputation for reliability and complete functioning combined together with a new attitude on the part of many in Ametican law enforcement, who valued only those firearms that worked, produced sales acceptance for the Sig.
The sales success of the Sig 9mm pistols has gone even beyond the demand and acceptance seen two decades earlier for the Smith & Wesson Model 19 revolver. In the 1960s, it was almost impossible for the civilian consumer to locate and purchase a four-inch Model 19 .357 Magnum because S&W's total production was going to police sales. The Combat Magnum was far and away the handgun of choice of America's police officers during the 1960s.
Now however, esthetics, looks, glamour, history, or who made the pistol in question, are all considered immaterial to the basic need for an auto-pistol that works exceedingly well.
Now however, esthetics, looks, glamour, history, or who made the pistol in question, are all considered immaterial to the basic need for an auto-pistol that works exceedingly well.
The SIG pistols have found a home with a group of people who value results over hyperbole.
In 1988, the P-228 was introduced to the European market. The P-228 is, in concise terms, a P-225 with an enlarged magazine holding 13 rounds of 9x19mm. As you may have noticed, outside of the P-220, all of these handguns have followed the European acceptance of the 9x19mm cartridge as a "big bore" self-defense round, but Americans tend to have different perceptions and interpretations of their needs.
The P-220, while a very successful pistol, is also a large handgun. Certain segments of the market were uninterested in a pistol of this size. Nor were their needs answered by a 9x19mm pistol, so SIG like many others became interested in the .40 S&W cartridge.
Best of Both Worlds
The beauty of the .40 S&W cartridge is that it offers the best of both worlds: a big bore cartridge possessing the potential for large caliber effectiveness, while also fitting into smaller framed magazines sufficiently well to provide high magazine capacity. The downsides to the .40 S&W are the increased slide velocity and the greater recoil forces experienced when chambered in pistols that were nominally designed for the 9mm cartridge.
SIG pistols, while never revolutionary, are unique in terms of their construction. The 220, 225, 226, and 228 all use slides manufactured from thick-gauge sheet metal formed over a mandrel. The muzzle bushing is welded into the formed slide, while the rear piece of the slide is fitted via a keyway and then held in position through use of a roll pin.
Because these pistols are recoil operated, there is a need for some means of locking the barrel to the slide. That is accomplished by having the chamber block of the barrel fit closely into the ejection port when the gun goes into battery. It is a simple system, and it works. It also eliminates the need for machining locking lug recesses within the slide, and allows the use of thick gauge sheet metal in forming the contour of the slide. However, it soon became apparent this would not work for any pistol chambering the .40 S&W round. The increased power yielded forces that would be hard for the mandrel-formed slide to withstand.
SIG solved this problem by going to a machined stainless steel slide. It is significant, if for no other reason than to understand the importance of the American market, to note that this stainless steel slide for the P-229 is manufactured completely in the United States. The aluminum alloy frame is still manufactured in Germany and it says so on the right side, but the slide is a "Made In USA" component.
By having the frame made from aluminum, the P-229 follows the precedent established by the previous SIG pistols. A steel locking block is installed in the alloy frame to serve a combination of functions; the first is to act as the locking block for the barrel earn and to lock/unlock the barrel within the slide. The second is to serve as a feed guide for the cartridge entering the chamber, and the third function is to absorb the recoil forces without damaging the alloy frame.
The .40 caliber P-229 mimics the size and feel of the 9mm P-228, but they are not exactly identical. Outside of the obvious differences seen at the muzzle and the different methods used in manufacturing the slide, there are smaller differences.
The magazines are different for the 228 and the 229. The 229 magazine holds 12 rounds of .40 S&W ammo, while the 228 holds 13 rounds of 9x19mm ammunition. However, the 228 magazine will not fit inside the P-229. Why? Because the 229 mag is wider at its base than its 9mm counterpart and it narrows at two different locations on the magazine tube. In contrast, the P-228 magazine narrows only at the upper point where the tube starts to form the feed lips.
The control levers on the P-229 are the same as they are for the previous pistols. There are three. They are all on the left side of the gun and the most forward is the take-down lever for fieldstripping. The middle lever, just below the slide, is the decocking lever, and this is the key distinguishing feature of the SIG series of handguns.
The 229, like all SIG pistols, utilizes an automatic firing pin safety. This means the SIG operates without need of traditional safety control levers. It is a double action/single action semi-automatic and the first shot when the hammer is down requires a double action trigger pull.
SIG presently has a safety bulletin out advising shooters against lowering the hammer on their pistols with any method other than the decocking lever. When the shooter stops shooting, or if the threat is no longer present, the shooter should take his finger off the trigger and with a simple down-stroke of the decocking lever, lower the hammer on the handgun. The pistol is still instantly ready for action with a double action trigger pull. It is a simple and easy system to teach those shooters who formerly carried revolvers. There is no confusing abundance of safety levers or complicated sequences.
The third lever on the left side is the slide release. It is used to release the slide after it locks open, either for the reload or for inspection. The slide release's position relative to the decocking lever requires some training because a common error for new SIG shooters is to hit the decocking lever when they really want to release the slide after the reload.
Shooting the .40 SIG reveals a pistol with some recoil, but because the grip is so well designed the rearward push is more straight to the rear than that felt on competing designs. One of my complaints about the .40 S&W cartridge has been the fact that production .40 caliber pistols have seldom demonstrated what I would classify as "good" accuracy. Adequate is an accurate description for most of the past .40 S&W service pistols I have tested, but I was duly impressed with the accuracy of the test P-229. In short, it shot and shot well, even if the recoil proved tiresome and induced fatigue over a three hour test session.
At the distance of 50 feet it was not uncommon to keep 12 rounds within a 3 1/2" circle in continuous firing strings that offered no pause for rest. If I concentrated on my best five-shot slow-fire strings, I could easily tighten these groups by an inch or better.
The P-229 is a successful pistol. It combines high round capacity (12+1) together with a serious big bore cartridge, and it does it in a package that is both light to carry and easy to shoot. The feel of a SIG is legendary, but the most sterling quality of the P-229 is its reliability. These guns work!
It may have taken SIG a little longer to introduce and produce their .40 S&W pistols, but believe me the wait was worth it. The P-229 is a serious self-defense/law enforcement handgun.
First published in the 1994 Annual edition of Guns Magazine
In 1988, the P-228 was introduced to the European market. The P-228 is, in concise terms, a P-225 with an enlarged magazine holding 13 rounds of 9x19mm. As you may have noticed, outside of the P-220, all of these handguns have followed the European acceptance of the 9x19mm cartridge as a "big bore" self-defense round, but Americans tend to have different perceptions and interpretations of their needs.
The P-220, while a very successful pistol, is also a large handgun. Certain segments of the market were uninterested in a pistol of this size. Nor were their needs answered by a 9x19mm pistol, so SIG like many others became interested in the .40 S&W cartridge.
Best of Both Worlds
The beauty of the .40 S&W cartridge is that it offers the best of both worlds: a big bore cartridge possessing the potential for large caliber effectiveness, while also fitting into smaller framed magazines sufficiently well to provide high magazine capacity. The downsides to the .40 S&W are the increased slide velocity and the greater recoil forces experienced when chambered in pistols that were nominally designed for the 9mm cartridge.
SIG pistols, while never revolutionary, are unique in terms of their construction. The 220, 225, 226, and 228 all use slides manufactured from thick-gauge sheet metal formed over a mandrel. The muzzle bushing is welded into the formed slide, while the rear piece of the slide is fitted via a keyway and then held in position through use of a roll pin.
Because these pistols are recoil operated, there is a need for some means of locking the barrel to the slide. That is accomplished by having the chamber block of the barrel fit closely into the ejection port when the gun goes into battery. It is a simple system, and it works. It also eliminates the need for machining locking lug recesses within the slide, and allows the use of thick gauge sheet metal in forming the contour of the slide. However, it soon became apparent this would not work for any pistol chambering the .40 S&W round. The increased power yielded forces that would be hard for the mandrel-formed slide to withstand.
SIG solved this problem by going to a machined stainless steel slide. It is significant, if for no other reason than to understand the importance of the American market, to note that this stainless steel slide for the P-229 is manufactured completely in the United States. The aluminum alloy frame is still manufactured in Germany and it says so on the right side, but the slide is a "Made In USA" component.
By having the frame made from aluminum, the P-229 follows the precedent established by the previous SIG pistols. A steel locking block is installed in the alloy frame to serve a combination of functions; the first is to act as the locking block for the barrel earn and to lock/unlock the barrel within the slide. The second is to serve as a feed guide for the cartridge entering the chamber, and the third function is to absorb the recoil forces without damaging the alloy frame.
The .40 caliber P-229 mimics the size and feel of the 9mm P-228, but they are not exactly identical. Outside of the obvious differences seen at the muzzle and the different methods used in manufacturing the slide, there are smaller differences.
The magazines are different for the 228 and the 229. The 229 magazine holds 12 rounds of .40 S&W ammo, while the 228 holds 13 rounds of 9x19mm ammunition. However, the 228 magazine will not fit inside the P-229. Why? Because the 229 mag is wider at its base than its 9mm counterpart and it narrows at two different locations on the magazine tube. In contrast, the P-228 magazine narrows only at the upper point where the tube starts to form the feed lips.
The control levers on the P-229 are the same as they are for the previous pistols. There are three. They are all on the left side of the gun and the most forward is the take-down lever for fieldstripping. The middle lever, just below the slide, is the decocking lever, and this is the key distinguishing feature of the SIG series of handguns.
The 229, like all SIG pistols, utilizes an automatic firing pin safety. This means the SIG operates without need of traditional safety control levers. It is a double action/single action semi-automatic and the first shot when the hammer is down requires a double action trigger pull.
SIG presently has a safety bulletin out advising shooters against lowering the hammer on their pistols with any method other than the decocking lever. When the shooter stops shooting, or if the threat is no longer present, the shooter should take his finger off the trigger and with a simple down-stroke of the decocking lever, lower the hammer on the handgun. The pistol is still instantly ready for action with a double action trigger pull. It is a simple and easy system to teach those shooters who formerly carried revolvers. There is no confusing abundance of safety levers or complicated sequences.
The third lever on the left side is the slide release. It is used to release the slide after it locks open, either for the reload or for inspection. The slide release's position relative to the decocking lever requires some training because a common error for new SIG shooters is to hit the decocking lever when they really want to release the slide after the reload.
Shooting the .40 SIG reveals a pistol with some recoil, but because the grip is so well designed the rearward push is more straight to the rear than that felt on competing designs. One of my complaints about the .40 S&W cartridge has been the fact that production .40 caliber pistols have seldom demonstrated what I would classify as "good" accuracy. Adequate is an accurate description for most of the past .40 S&W service pistols I have tested, but I was duly impressed with the accuracy of the test P-229. In short, it shot and shot well, even if the recoil proved tiresome and induced fatigue over a three hour test session.
At the distance of 50 feet it was not uncommon to keep 12 rounds within a 3 1/2" circle in continuous firing strings that offered no pause for rest. If I concentrated on my best five-shot slow-fire strings, I could easily tighten these groups by an inch or better.
The P-229 is a successful pistol. It combines high round capacity (12+1) together with a serious big bore cartridge, and it does it in a package that is both light to carry and easy to shoot. The feel of a SIG is legendary, but the most sterling quality of the P-229 is its reliability. These guns work!
It may have taken SIG a little longer to introduce and produce their .40 S&W pistols, but believe me the wait was worth it. The P-229 is a serious self-defense/law enforcement handgun.
First published in the 1994 Annual edition of Guns Magazine
Specifications
Operation
Semiautomatic, mechanicallylocked, recoil operated
Trigger
Double-action/single-actionor double-action only
Safety
Patented automatic firing-pin lock
Caliber
9mm Luger
.357 SIG
.40 S&W
Length, overall
7.1"
7.1"
7.1"
Height, overall
5.4"
5.4"
5.4"
Width, overall
1.5"
1.5"
1.5"
Barrel length
3.8"
3.8"
3.8"
Rifling twist
1 in 10"
1 in 15"
1 in 16"
Rifling grooves
6
6
6
Sight radius
5.7"
5.7"
5.7"
Weight, w/omagazine
27.5 oz.
27.5 oz.
27.5 oz.
Weight,empty magazine
3.0 oz.
3.0 oz.
3.0 oz.
Trigger pull
DA 12 lbs., SA 4.5 lbs.
DA 12 lbs., SA 4.5 lbs.
DA 12 lbs., SA 4.5 lbs.
Magazine capacity
13 rounds
12 rounds
12 rounds
© REMTEK 1996-2006
FROM THE WEEKLY FEMINIST
Women Under Represented in Secret Service
Although women have been accepted into the Secret Service since 1970, only 10% of agents are women. To qualify for the United States Secret Service, an individual must undergo 16 weeks of training, pass physical fitness tests and detailed background checks and spend about eight years at the service's field offices investigating counterfeiting and other financial crimes.
Contrary to the common stereotype, however, potential agents do not have to be male. When he goes recruiting, Special Agent Anthony Triplett discovers that many women do not realize they can join the Secret Service. "A lot of women…initially are not sure it's something they want to do or something they can do," Triplett said. "I've had people ask me, 'Do you have female Secret Service agents?'"
WELL THERE YOU HAVE IT; MORE ABOUT THE SECRET SERVICE THAN YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW.
