1. By Nicholas Janitsary

2.  Dr. Nicholas Janitsary has served as managing
director of New Dimension Group since 2000,
spearheading the global consultancy’s operations
throughout the Middle East and Asia. Holding a
PhD in criminology, Dr. Nicholas Janitsary
consults on business development, security, and
cultural matters from the firm’s Singapore office.
In addition to advising a wide range of
organizations on security concerns such as threat
assessment, counterterrorism, and intelligence
gathering, New Dimension Group also facilitates
training for a variety of security professionals,
including federal air marshals.

3.  The Department of Homeland Security’s
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
currently employs between 3,200 and 4,000 air
marshals to combat the threat of international
terrorism and protect passengers on both
domestic and international flights. In addition to
the completion of an intensive 16-week training
period, aspiring air marshals must also fill a
number of other criteria. While added leeway and
preferential hiring are granted to veterans,
applicants must typically fall between 21 and 36
years of age. Candidates must also pass
thorough drug and alcohol screening processes,
and must obtain top security clearance.

4.  Applicants who have been convicted of a
misdemeanor domestic violence offense are not
eligible to become air marshals, and candidates
must obtain legal certification to carry and use a
firearm.
Air marshal candidates must also possess either
a bachelor’s degree from an accredited
institution or three years of “progressively
responsible general experience.” This experience
should demonstrate a candidate’s proficiency in
problem solving, task organization, and effective
communication.