Thinking about joining the Military.

[DoctorJ32174]

Civil service, whatever line you choose ,military, police, etc., is a noble but thankless job. Having been a deputy sheriff in the past makes me feel good, but hearing cops being bad mouthed for the actions of a few bad cops makes me ill. Choose your profession wisely and you will thank yourself later. Better get your teflon shorts on because someone will always be flinging sh*t your way for something that someone else in your line of work did to them.

 

[ihateiraq]

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!

if you go this route, dont bank on it being "a weekend a month and two weeks a year". even if you dont deploy, youll find yourself doing much, much more. ive been in the reserves about three and a half years, and have a year long deployment and about six months of miscellaneous time spent in uniform, plus regular drills and annual trainings.

 

[MoparMan]

Just go straight into becoming a LEO if that is your main goal. If you join the military and do 20 you'll be too old to become swat. Trust me i'm in that boat.

If you are going to join the military anyway for a few years then become a leo let me suggest these type of units:
Seal
Special Forces
Ranger
Force Recon
Scouts

As i've been told my many of certain special agencies these are some of the best to have on a resume.

 

[Joe Williams]

I have 2 years as a Combat Engineer in the Army, and 9 in the Air Force with the Security Police.

The Air Force lives better. More importantly, at least for the enlisted side, is that you get a lot more responsibility as an enlisted person in the Air Force than you do in the Army. And more freedom if you handle the responsibility well. On the downside, gaining rank is sloooooooow in the Air Force compared to the Army.

Still, with your college, if you have the temperament to be an officer, there is no disadvantage to going enlisted. Pay sucks wind, and you are very much at the bottom of the totem pole. Never saw a 2nd LT picking up butts!!!

 

[ihateiraq]

Never saw a 2nd LT picking up butts!!!

although if sh*t details just went by job performance that probably wouldnt be the case.

 

[IndyGunworks]

if you go this route, dont bank on it being "a weekend a month and two weeks a year". even if you dont deploy, youll find yourself doing much, much more. ive been in the reserves about three and a half years, and have a year long deployment and about six months of miscellaneous time spent in uniform, plus regular drills and annual trainings.

yep... 6 years in the guard... 3.2 of active duty NOT including basic or AIT

 

[WWIIIDefender]

Talk to a recruiter from every branch of service first. Never sign anything until you have thought out everything carefully. Then if you make a decision to join make sure exactly what you want is in writing before you sign. If everything is on paper and fits your needs/wants go for it.

 

[U.S. Patriot]

Do not rule out the Coast Guard. They have LEDET's: Law Enforcement Detachments. TACLET's: Tactical Law Enforcement Teams. MSST's: Marine Safety and Security Teams. They are anti terror, drug enforcement, and do high risk boardings. Basicly you are S.W.A.T. on the water. You would gain a lot of good experience toward becoming a state LEO, or Federal Agent. Basic is 8 weeks long, in lovely Cape May, New Jersey. Just something to think about!

 

[drillsgt]

CID

If you are interested in LE then you can enlist as MP and with your college should get bumped up to E-3 at least. Once you get E-4 or so you can apply to CID which is a federal LE position and they are really looking for people quite often, I did it for a couple of years and it's not bad. If you decide to get out it is good work experience and there are also civilian CID agents much like NCIS. You already have enough college to get in. Once in you could also go warrant and get a little more pay and responsibility. You can also get paid to learn unique skills like forensic pathology or advanced crime scene investigation, photography, fraud, computers, etc. If you get out after a couple of years there are also reserve CID detachments you can go to.

 

[HICKMAN]

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...

I'm with ya brother.

There are those that lead and do, and those who talk about those who lead and do.

 

[HICKMAN]

If you want K-9, the Army's MP K-9 units are really good. My brother was an MP and my cousin-in-law is an Army Veterinarian who cares for the dogs in A-Stan.

If you want SWAT, Army Ranger/Pathfinder/SAPPER/Sniper training would help, same for most of the Marines special training. Navy SEAL training would be good too.

 

[Armed-N-Ready]

Take your time, get what you want.

First things first, thank you for even considering serving your country. As many here have said look at the officer route, you already have the college time so put it to good use. If you really don't want to lead (my son said a 2nd lieutenant is just a private with a college degree) for NCO but choose wisely. Take your time look over your choices and "GET IT IN WRITING" before you sign anything.

Good luck and God Bless.

 

[kb66]

My cousin was like you, he wanted to be a police officer. He entered the Army for one thing and one thing only to be an MP. He did his 4 years and walked out with several job offers for a police officer. Now, almost 20 years later he is a Chief of Police.

 

[kedie]

kill people, and walk for really long distances.

Hey, those are valuable skills that I use everyday in the civillian world.


Since you already have a college degree you should seriously look at becoming an officer, no matter what branch you choose.

 

[blue2golf]

I joined the US Army at age 20 and served 5 years. Best decision I ever made. Whatever branch you decide to join, you won't regret it.

 

[SemperFiUSMC]

No offense at all to my brothers from other services, but if you are an A-Team player, you are a Marine. Anything else is, well, not a Marine.

Before I get flamed, I spent 9 years in the Corps and 11 in the Guard, retiring from the Guard. My brother spent 11 years in the Corps and 17 in the Navy (BUDS graduate). I loved my service time, and would do it agian in a heartbeat. There was nothing like the training and comradarie I got in the Corps.

 

[MarlinMan68]

Sounds like you have your act together so this really doesn't apply to you.But my son just graduated Army basics at Ft.Jackson,SC.I hate to say it but before he joined he was a first class f***up.At graduation it was like talking to a different man.His attitude has changed,his outlook on life,and his priorities have changed.6 months ago I thought I would be raising his 3 kids as well as the 3 I still have at home.

 

[kedie]

No offense at all to my brothers from other services, but if you are an A-Team player, you are a Marine. Anything else is, well, not a Marine.

 

[ihateiraq]

x2

 

[U.S. Patriot]

No offense at all to my brothers from other services, but if you are an A-Team player, you are a Marine. Anything else is, well, not a Marine.

Before I get flamed, I spent 9 years in the Corps and 11 in the Guard, retiring from the Guard. My brother spent 11 years in the Corps and 17 in the Navy (BUDS graduate). I loved my service time, and would do it agian in a heartbeat. There was nothing like the training and comradarie I got in the Corps.

Do not want to use the word typical. However it's the mantality of many Marines. I can say the same as you about my time in the Coast Guard. If there was one perfect branch, well then there would be only one branch. Everyone has a job to do, and you take away just one branch. It affects the whole system. So please with Marines are the best crap. I realize it's a pride thing, I have pride too. However I respect all the branches!