# FBI Hierarchy **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 21, 2002, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-hierarchy/120138 "2002-07-21T22:57:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![braintree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@braintree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/braintree)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2002, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-hierarchy/120138/1 "2002-07-21T22:57:51Z")
I’ve been searching the internet with scant success trying to find out what the hierarchy of the FBI is. I know that there are special agents and then there’s the director, but that’s about it. Little help? ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2002, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-hierarchy/120138/2 "2002-07-22T00:01:29Z")
Well, you might start [here](http://www.fbi.gov/aboutus/todaysfbi/hqorg.htm), and see also [here](http://www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/territory.htm). ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2002, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-hierarchy/120138/3 "2002-07-22T04:49:52Z")
I remember reading somewhere that there are many positions but only four basic ranks in the FBI (other than support)…Agent, Special Agent, Assistant Director, and Director. ---
**Author:** ![Osip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4491bb/32.png) [@Osip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Osip)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2002, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-hierarchy/120138/4 "2002-07-22T12:20:37Z")
I now there are different divisions in the FBI as well depending on what that group focuses on. such as “Crimes against children” “Hate crimes” and such. From what I remember, the Director is top on the list, followed by the assistant director, then cascading toward the division heads on down to agent. My god mother worked for the FBI for many years and retired as the head of the Hate Crimes unit. If the dopers here cannot find the answer (I know they will though) I can drop her an e-mail and get a better answer than what my hazy memory recalls. Osip ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2002, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-hierarchy/120138/5 "2002-07-22T13:46:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pravnik \* > I remember reading somewhere that there are many positions but only four basic ranks in the FBI (other than support)…Agent, Special Agent, Assistant Director, and Director. I don’t think this is correct. I’m pretty sure _all_ FBI agents are “special” agents. [This page](http://www.fbi.gov/kids/6th12th/sachallenge/answers.htm) (OK, it _is_ an Official FBI Page, but it’s an Official FBI Page for Kids in Grades 6 through 12, so take that how you will) would seem to indicate that the hierarchy is basically trainee, Special Agent, Supervisory Special Agent, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Special Agent in Charge, Assistant Director, Deputy Director, and Director. This [page on employment opportunities](http://www.fbi.gov/employment/faq.htm) mentions assorted “Professional Support Personnel” positions in addition to the Special Agents–but still no ordinary, regular agents. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2002, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-hierarchy/120138/6 "2002-07-22T15:57:18Z")
That’s odd…I actually had seen that employment opportunities page before and did see that the entry level position was “Special Agent”, why would I still think there are agents? Hard to let go of a treasured misconception, I suppose. Still, you gotta wonder if there are no regular agents, what makes the special ones so special? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Malice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/278dde/32.png) [@Malice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malice)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2002, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-hierarchy/120138/7 "2002-07-22T18:31:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pravnik \* > \*\*Still, you gotta wonder if there are no regular agents, what makes the special ones so special? 😉 \*\* IIRC, J. Edgar Hoover named them “special” agents to elevate them in the public’s eye above other law enforcement officials. Basically a PR ploy to generate awe. ---
**Author:** ![ScoobyTX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@ScoobyTX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ScoobyTX)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2002, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-hierarchy/120138/8 "2002-07-22T19:06:51Z")
I wonder if they have “very special agents?” The whole “every agent is a special agent” thing reminds me of this [very special Onion article](http://www.theonion.com/onion3502/very_special_forces.html).