The Vet announcements do me no good either. If anyone has any info on this please enlighten me. I'm in a catch 22 because I'm still in and intend to continue serving if/when I get hired on by a Fed agency. (I'm limited to agencies that will let you serve in a reserve capacity while simultaneously working for them) From what I understand you can only qualify for the vet openings if you are actually discharged and have your DD 214 in hand?
" The true Soldier fights not because what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him."
For all of the high-profile this-and-that of the BATFE, they do quite a bit of more traditional work. It can be a very busy and challenging place to work, for those that seek and desire such; I wouldn't take it wholly off of the table for those so eligible, simply because of the media coverage.
Don't confuse the tech branch and inspections (FFL Inspections) with what the Criminal Investigator / Special Agents do. They do some great work with biker gangs, narcotics and assisting with other violent crime investigations involving firearms and explosives. I've worked with them on many 922g cases. On a field agent level they are great to work with.
One downside is like DEA, they will likely place you where they need you for your first duty station and it will take you 3 to 5 years to transfer somewhere else.