Thinking about joining the Military.

[Shooter Eighty-Eighty]

Hi Guys,
I know from reading on here we have a lot of service guys on here, and I am 21 and almost done with a 4 year degree in Criminal Justice. I have always wanted to be a police office, and have done a few internships in the Indianapolis area (PM for the departments) i really enjoy the law enforcement part of the job but really would like to be on a good S.W.A.T. team or a K-9 some day and i know in larger departments this can be a hard job to get, so i done some thinking and have thought what better job experience than some service time? Now my only reason for wanting to join is not because of a future job but out of love for my country also. I would have joined right out of high school but was given a chance to play college baseball.

So guys any one have anything about the Military, i have talked to many people, and i am really torn on what branch. The Marines well they are Marines! enough said. But i feel like the Army has more chances to go further, maybe Ranger or Airborne. How hard are those to get into go? and can you become a Airborne or Ranger if you are not sure about more than 4 years?

Any info you have would be awesome! Thanks INGO Friends.

 

[ihateiraq]

its really easy to get ranger and airborne. especially on your initial contract. to be honest though, if you just want to be a cop, why not go MP(you can go to airborne school as an mp as well)? i was infantry during my active duty days, and i almost feel like i wasted all that time. basically all i learned how to do was fall out of an airplane, kill people, and walk for really long distances.

 

[STEEL CORE]

Just be careful and choose wisely, some branches may reward your college level by starting you out at a higher rank, colklege $ would not be an incentive to you, maybe guarenteed job, I joined the US Army out of high school at age 18, wanted and got Military Police, twenty one years later (I am retired now) they send me $3000 a mo every month, and I work for the rest. All recruiters will tell you plenty of stuff, but whatever they promise............MAKE SURE YOU GET IT GURANTEED UP FRONT IN WRITTING, BEFORE YOU SIGN UP...........all I wanted was to go in for two years and get out of the MP's with the GI Bill for college......21 years later......well I got my four year degree all right, BS in CJ too and a bit more from IU, but travel and adventure were some of the benefits you cannot put a price tag on. I checked out all four services before I went in and the Army offered me the most, some services are definatly better in some aspects than the others IMHO, but get with the one that can give you the most and I wish you good luck.

 

[jeremy]

Decide what you are willing to do and not do up front...
Research the Career Fields that interest you...
Are you looking for danger...

Don't rule out any branch until you have done these three things.

Every branch has its perks. The Navy and the USAF generally lives better than the Army and Marines. But the Army and Marines live in the suck more too, so it takes less perks to make us happy... MP's in the Army and Corps tend to have more combat time outside of FOBS on deployments, Navy and USAF tend to do more traditional LEA type work for the most part on deployments.


The Recruiters are looking for numbers... Make sure everything is in WRITING and READ your contract before you sign it!!!

 

[USMC_0311]

Well I am prejudice. Go MARINES!!!

 

[Bill B]

My mother is retired marines, my father is retired navy, one of my best friends is retired air force, my brother is retired army and I was in the army for over 8 years.
The navy mostly uses marines for police type jobs. The army and marine corp mps, as previously stated, have many combat duties. The air force traditionally has more "civilian" type police duties, but with the extended war they are working more and more with the army and marines to help pick up the slack.
Another option you may consider is coast guard. The port security specialists are very close to civilian swat operations, except they do ships too.
With a Bachelors' from an accredited college you should be able to get a commission. The key word is accredited, many schools such as Devry aren't accredited.

 

[jeremy]

Thanks Bill for adding in the Coasties...

 

[mk2ja]

Shooter Eight Eight,

I'm in a similar boat as you. I'm 22, just finishing up a 4 year degree (taken me 5 years because I switched degrees after 2), and wanted to join the military. I started out by calling the recruiting stations and telling them all I wanted to meet to talk about their officer programs. I also got input from family who have served (brother, uncle, and grandfather). You're off to a good start by asking for opinions from those who served.

As was mentioned, the USAF will lead "easier" lives. The Navy could go a couple ways depending on how you want to serve. If you get into a real technology-based job, it could be similar to the USAF conditions, or you could get into JAG (using your attorney skillz) and that would be quite different. One thing I heard repeatedly was that typically the Army offers the most chance for upward movement if you want to make it a career. For instance, you start looking at the most famous generals, or those military men who become advisors to the President, they are mostly Army officers.

Personally, I have decided to join the Marine Corps because, as you said, they are Marines, and I've always respected them as the most top echelon branch. I've also come from a small school background (HS graduating class of 11 (eleven), college grad class of 450), and from what I've observed and heard, the Corps has a lot of the same traits as that small-school environment.

I'm going to be doing the pilot program. The Marines and Navy actually both attend the exact same flight school, but I wanted to be a Marine first, pilot second. It kinda makes my dad unhappy, though, because if I were joining the Navy, I could actually be drawing income from them NOW while I finish up school, whereas the Corps does not have that program. Oh well. My life, not his.

Best wishes to ya, mate. Perhaps I'll end up seeing you at OCS.


Caleb

 

[STAG556]

REALLY

WOW guys really? This is all to weird for me. I'm going to be finishing up college in December (1/2 victory lap) and I've been having all the same emotions. When I left for college I was dead set on doing a year here and then transferring to USAFA. Well as the good Lord would have it, he made me color blind so that put me out of anything that looks like a jet, so I dropped out of ROTC. Ever since I've had this dying passion to still go for it (only Army or Marines this time)

Only problem is, I feel soooo tied down. I've been with the same company for a total of 4 summers now, theyve invested a ton of money into me and I've received two job offers (verbal) from them. Pretty serious GF who would $hit a brick if I told her this, and the parents aren't exactly gung ho about it. But still, the passion burns and I really don't know what to do. I prayed pretty hard about this last night and now look what I'm reading... this is too wild!

 

[jeremy]

Only problem is, I feel soooo tied down. I've been with the same company for a total of 4 summers now, theyve invested a ton of money into me and I've received two job offers (verbal) from them. Pretty serious GF who would a brick if I told her this, and the parents aren't exactly gung ho about it. But still, the passion burns and I really don't know what to do. I prayed pretty hard about this last night and now look what I'm reading... this is too wild!

If you are looking at having a family the Military is a hard row to hoe...

Try the job route... The Military is always hiring, generally for a reason it is not for everyone.

 

[w_ADAM_d88]

I too am 21 and want to be a police officer. Unfortunatly, I have no college education and have no disire to go to college. I am just going to try it the hard way and work my way up the law enforcement ladder. I know without a college degree I probaly won't get very far, but its better than the job I have now. I currently have a few applications in to a few different departments, IMPD and ISP being one of them. I am from a military town (Norfolk, VA) and if I wouldn't have gotten married right out of high school I would have gone the military route.

 

[rhart]

As a 8 year Army Reserve Medic, here is my 2 cents:
WIth your college, you should go right to Officer training and become an officer which is much better pay, housing, food and all in all better than enlisted.
I would research what you want to do and have a couple agendas in mind. Take your test with no obligation that will give you placement options (MOS'S)

I got some good advise from a old guy when I was considering the military. He said
"you know, I have yet to find a job offer looking for someone to fire artillery down rockville road"
This was good advise and why I chose the medic route.
I think its best to do it now while your young and dont have a lot of family ties. Military with family is HARD on everyone.

Many cities are hiring Police officers and the good ones require a BA now days. A BA and 4 years MP, now you are above most. And, why not get your masters and let them pay for it while your in? Now your really above the majority.
Personally, I think the ARMY or AF. Just an opinion that I'm entitled to.

One other thing. WHen you get ready to sign the dotted line, spend 150 bucks and have a lawyer look it over. There are some in Inpls that specialize in Military Law.
WHen I signed up I "got College loan forgivness" well, my unit never filed the right papers, and long story short, I got screwed out of thousands!

I always hear people say " I wish I would have joined the military", I never hear people say "I wish I wouldn't have". Then again there are some that joined who aren't around to say much at all.
Hell you could get in and like so much that you stay. Retire at 42. Then start a whole new career if you want.
Good luck, its a big decision.
ron

 

[snojet]

I can't stress enough about becoming an Officer, just like many others have said here!!!!!!

As for your law enforcement aspirations, check out the following link...
LEO Duty - 1911Forum Good info here on the lifestyle of an LEO.

Big decision, pray hard.

 

[jeremy]

To voice the other side of the discussion, some people make better NCO's...

I would make a poor Officer. Not enough tact in me for it...

 

[modelflyer2003]

I'm glad you got your education before going in. I went in straight out of high school in law enforcement in the USAF (before they combined to make Security Force) and was an E-1 making chicken feed. I am working on my Masters Degree in nursing now. I'll be a Nurse Practitioner in a year and a half. I have ten years of operating room experience and a year and a half of emergency department experience. If I joined now, they would make me an officer, but I would be sitting in the desert or in the mountains of Afganistan so quick it would make my head spin. Going in as an officer, you will be treated better and make four times the money. They may even give you tuition forgiveness on your college debt. Good luck to you. You really cannot go wrong either way. As an officer, I don't think you would be a dog handler though. The K9 guys in my squadrons were always enlisted, as the officers were shift commanders, and there was only on of those per flight.

 

[zoglog]

I am also in the same boat. I was supposed to have left for basic already but they lost my med docs. So I am back at square one.

I am almost done with my degree in Physical Education, so I will be going in as an E3. I have a great job that I am currently working, that will promote me as soon as I finish my degree. So I am joining the National Guard. This will allow me to teach during the week and on the weekend serve. I will have about 1-2 years enlisted then fill out my OCS packet and be an officer.

So in my case I have the pleasure of teaching and serving. Are you wanting to be full time or reserve? Either way you are making a great decision and have my respect as well as many many many others!

 

[DocBoCook]

As someone who very recently left the Navy, I can tell you that if your Criminal Justice Degree is from an ACCREDITED COLLEGE you can come in as an Officer. But you have to push it to the recruited, and have it IN WRITING. Period. Don't accept anything if it is not in writing. In fact that goes for anything in the Service.

 

[DoctorJ32174]

Whatever branch you decide to enlist in, I, personally, thank you - and am sure others feel the same. It takes a very special person to put his life on the line for others. Best of luck.

 

[DocBoCook]

To voice the other side of the discussion, some people make better NCO's...

I would make a poor Officer. Not enough tact in me for it...

Exactly, but mine is I can't do politics. I get things done. I did not rub elbows, and eat cake very well (SNCO's and NCO's know what I mean when I say eat cake)

 

[DocBoCook]

I too am 21 and want to be a police officer. Unfortunatly, I have no college education and have no disire to go to college. I am just going to try it the hard way and work my way up the law enforcement ladder. I know without a college degree I probaly won't get very far, but its better than the job I have now. I currently have a few applications in to a few different departments, IMPD and ISP being one of them. I am from a military town (Norfolk, VA) and if I wouldn't have gotten married right out of high school I would have gone the military route.

Oh adam, why did you not look into being a Master at arms in the Navy. You could have hopped on one of the carriers there in Norfolk, the security departments on there act just like P.D.'s