Naval Officer or BPA as career starter?

[sjhogs3333]

Hey guys. Just looking for some input as decision time for me is getting close. I just graduated with a BS in a hard science and hope to do counter-terror/intel further down the road. I should be hearing from CBP training and placement soon for a BPA position (they had to wait for me to graduate first). On the other hand, I have always considered becoming an officer in the military. After a great deal of research, the Navy seems to the best branch for my interests. I would probably seek to become an officer in the special operations career path (Naval intelligence would be a more obvious route, but I'd never bank on that given the competitiveness of selection process).

I know this is like apples and oranges when you compare those two careers. However, which one would provide me with a stronger, more respectable background? I would be honored to start my career as a BPA. However, it seems that people like to focus more on their wrongdoings than their contributions.

[Esco]

My dude, goto the Navy and do intel, u do that for a while and u can goto CIA or FBI with ease.

[USMC0844]

Hey guys. Just looking for some input as decision time for me is getting close. I just graduated with a BS in a hard science and hope to do counter-terror/intel further down the road. I should be hearing from CBP training and placement soon for a BPA position (they had to wait for me to graduate first). On the other hand, I have always considered becoming an officer in the military. After a great deal of research, the Navy seems to the best branch for my interests. I would probably seek to become an officer in the special operations career path (Naval intelligence would be a more obvious route, but I'd never bank on that given the competitiveness of selection process).

I know this is like apples and oranges when you compare those two careers. However, which one would provide me with a stronger, more respectable background? I would be honored to start my career as a BPA. However, it seems that people like to focus more on their wrongdoings than their contributions.

Naval Officer hands down. You may find everything you are looking for in the Navy and not need to make the jump to Federal. The experience you gain in the Navy as an officer will be second to none and will carry you further in the selection process than you can imagine. We I transferred to the USMCR, several of the officers in my unit were 1811s.

[GB0610]

I depends on what you want to do in the long run.

If your goal is to be in the intel field for the long run, then I would lean, hard, toward the USN Office route. If you want to be a boot on the ground serving your Country in the battle against illegal immigration and dope, the go be a BPA.

If your ultimate goal is the become an 1811 of some sort, than either position will be a benefit to you. I know of quite a few former Military Officers that are 1811's and many if not more BPA who are the same.

Again, much of it has to do with what you want to do in the short time and long run.

[bain]

as stated, it really depends on what you want to do, but keep in mind, navy intel is not too exciting- theres a world of difference between bp and navy intel, but both would give you different but positive aspects to whatever you choose in the future- im an ex naval officer (air operations) and current 1811- alot of my friends who were intel did more 1811 type work actually (lots of being buried in documents and briefs)- bp, you would definitely, be on the front lines of a war and you'll probably get all the excitement you can handle- and keep in mind, navy special operations (eod) is different than spec war (seals) -and theres a good chance you would have to start off as a swo or something else, then apply to either after your first tour-intel, in my opinion, would be way easier to get than either of those, but ive been out for 6 yrs-either way good luck in whatever you chose

[ICE Offcr]

Since you mentioned that you were interested in both the feds and military, have you looked into the coast guard as an officer. You get the best of both worlds, by being in DHS and the military.

they most everything the navy will have job wise.

[navy80]

Navy intel or coast guard intell

[sjhogs3333]

I have actually just began to do research into the coast guard. It does actually seem like a very nice fit given the military/federal LE presence.

[sjhogs3333]

Decided that I will be submitting an application to Navy OCS. Just finishing up some minor details on it before sending it in. The three preferred career paths on my application are: 1) Special Ops/Warfare , 2) Intelligence, 3) Aviation. I have contemplated this decision for years now and I'm very confident that it is a step in the right direction. Since this is not a military forum, if there are any current or past Navy officers out there viewing this, do you mind sending me a private message with any advice? Thank you very much to everyone.

[Sparkydog]

sjhogs, good decision! As a former Naval Officer, I can tell you that it will open doors for you. I would put Aviation above intel too, as an Aviator you will be working with intel a lot and being able to fly opened even more doors.

[flyer2007]

I use to frequent a forum called Airwarriors.com. I haven't been on it in ages, but I'm sure it is still being used. It is not only for aviation, but all Navy officer communities.

You will have an extremely hard time getting selected for Special Ops/Warfare without already being an officer for a period of time. I'd recommend aviation, Intel, or SWO to start with....get yourself in there. Getting selected for Navy OCS has become extremely competitive.

Best of luck.