prior military serive

[souti]

I have 3 years in the army as an m1 crewmen, I am heavily considering a career in law enforcement, I wondering how army life compares and contrasts for law enforcement, also the difference between police and militry rank and chain of command.

[pkagel]

Well, for one, you won't have to sleep in a tent and you get to go home every night.

Rank is comparable but you have to start at the bottom unlike the service where the officers get more from the get go.

[nybyrne]

I am prior ARMY 6 years 82nd ABN. As far as chain of command it is close to the military. Officer=Private, Detective/ K9/ School resource Officer/ and so on= specialist, Sgt= First Line Supervisor, usually will give line up briefs and will do your reviews, LT or Capt= Company Commander (Depends on department) Might be in charge of a sector or response area. Major or Asst Chiefs (again depends on department)= Battalion commander, might be in charge on many response areas or stations or will act as Asst Chief, Chief= Base Commander, City Council, City Manager or Mayor= Taliban (just kidding)= Joint Chiefs of staff, They usually select the Chief and will put allot of pressure on him to do what they think is best for the city.
As far as Army life compared to Police life, you will not find any other job that is closer to the military other than maybe the Fire Department. When you are on the job your fellow officers are all you have sometimes, just like in combat. Just as in the military when a group of cops get together no matter where you work, you will always be able to talk and understand each other’s complaints and experiences. You will grow to love, trust and sometimes hate your fellow officers but when it comes down to it we are all one team.

[shenanigans7777]

This question is really for anyone who knows how this works. I am currently active duty military and considering becomming a police officer when/if I get out. I'll have seven years of active duty time and was wondering if that time transfers over- specifically, if it is counted toward the 20 years needed for retirement. It is 20 years, right? I was interested in the Phoenix, AZ area. Any info will help- comments, web pages, etc. Thanks!

[irishlad2nv]

This question is really for anyone who knows how this works. I am currently active duty military and considering becomming a police officer when/if I get out. I'll have seven years of active duty time and was wondering if that time transfers over- specifically, if it is counted toward the 20 years needed for retirement. It is 20 years, right? I was interested in the Phoenix, AZ area. Any info will help- comments, web pages, etc. Thanks!

Your time will not transfer over unless you go work Federal. Which then your TIS does travel with you. You cna be 40 yrs old, 20 yrs in the military and then get out, go work some Police Department and then have to start your retirement, TIS over there.

However, some departments out there, some that do civil service do count some of your time I believe, but it may not count towards your retirement with that specific agency.

Souti, when you do your ACAP. You will find out what your job compares to. If you were Infantry, go grab a mop and broom from a closet, because thats the most it compares to in civilan life. However, its all up to the specific person of what they want to do when they get out! If you choose to go to Law School, etc become a DR. and all you were in the Military was a Supply Specialists, well it will be completley different!

[Airforcop]

I think some agencies do allow you to buy back some of your military service. The way I understand is this. You have to work for the agency for the standard amount of years to be eliglble for their retirement. At that time, you can buy back X amount of years military service and they will add that to the years you worked for the agency. So say you worked 25 years for a department, then buy back 5 years of military, you will retire with the percentage as if you worked 30 years for the department. I could be wrong, but I believe that is how it works, and I'm not sure how many agencies offer that, or how much it costs to buy back military time.

Also, being a military member myself, know that you will NOT get veteran points if you are still active duty. kind of sucks seeing I need a job lined up before I get out. And without a DD 214 and actually being seperated from the military, you are technically not classified as a veteran and do not qualify for veteran preference points. Something I was unaware of until I started filling out applications.