St. Louis Cardinals' Stephen Piscotty, right, scores past Milwaukee Brewers catcher Martin Maldonado on a double by Matt Holliday during the second inning of a baseball game on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, in St. Louis.
Secret Service agents go through rigorous training to perform their job effectively. All agents must go through about 7 months worth of training when they are initially hired. Once an agent has gone through the initial training, if they want to be on a protection detail, they must work in a field office for six to eight years. After spending six to eight years in the field, agents will then be transferred to work on a protection detail for three to five years.
In 1965, Congress authorized the Secret Service (Public Law 89-186) to protect a former president and their spouse during their lifetime, unless they decline protection. In 1997, Congress enacted legislation (Public Law 103-329) that limits Secret Service protection for former presidents to 10 years after leaving office. Under this new law, individuals who are in office before January 1, 1997, will continue to receive Secret Service protection for their lifetime.