I got another offer-decision, decisions

[outofthecorps1]

I got the call today from the USCP to start with their January 23rd class. I also accepted an offer from Prince William County to start their January 4th academy. I know it not good business practice to jump from one to the other but I haven't actually stepped foot through either door yet. I'm certain that most wish they were lucky enough to have thier first and second choices give them the thumbs up but now I got some serious thinking to do. I kind of got the gouge on PWPD it would be a great help if I could get some feed back from a couple of current USCP officers. What's the job like, hours, shifts, what do you guys do? Something good to put opposite the con area. Thanks.

[manstown]

I am currently with USCP, have been for a little over a year. The one question you have to ask yourself is, do I want to do police work? If that is your focus, and I am sure it is, then go with Prince William County. Don't get me wrong, USCP is a good department. But it is more oriented to peotection of Congress and those affiliated. There is police work to be done, but it is what you make it. If chasing down the bad guy is what you want, take the other. I am in the process with a couple of other agencies, and so are alot of the officers

Good Luck. Any questions PM me.

[outofthecorps1]

I'm about to move into my new/next career field after finishing off almost 9 years in the Marine Corps. At 33 going on 34 I have the federal age limit to consider especially since most local departments don't have one. I'm done sentry and protective duty while I was a Marine Embassy Guard. I did my 8 or more hours of standing, monitoring cameras, checking badges and I.D. Pretty much just being a presence so its not a problem for me. What I want to know about is what does USCP have to offer? How is advancement? What special assignments are there? How do days off work, especially considering that I'm a workaholic? Is FLETC and USCP training eligible for G.I. bill payments? Is there an investigative division? Some of the basic things that I would have to wait until orientation to find out. Is USCP not what you thought it would be? I just want to get a better feel for the department. Any info that you can give would be of great help.

[zebra305]

Bottom line here is, if you want to "Police", then go with PW County. I"m not USCP, but have friends who are, and have been. Most are now on the "Regular" side of police work. That having been said, you'll probably make twice the $$$$ with USCP than you will with Prince William.

FLETC/USCP training will be free to you, to answer one of your questions...as will the PW Academy.

I can't offer any more than that, hopefully it helps you make a choice.

Best of luck & Semper Fi!

Jason

[NBW791]

I would say it all boils down to what you want to do in life. USCP would bore me to DEATH. I love being a street cop and will probably retire from my current position (road dawg!). All about what you want.

-Nick-

[Nobody]

Ixxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Hawkman]

I always consider retirement options. I was surprised when I went to look at the FERS retirement. It is not as good as I thought it would be.

The retirement formula is as follows;

Link to FERS (http://www.opm.gov/fers_election/ri_90/f_seg.htm)

1.7% of your high-3 average pay
times
years of service
plus
1.0% of your high-3 average pay
times
years of service exceeding 20.

That means if you end up making $65000 to pick a round number

65K X 1.7% X 20 years= $22100 or $1841.67 a month

Prince William has virtually the same retirement formula

Lint to Virginia retirement (http://www.varetire.org/Members/BenefitPlans/LEOSEligible.html)

The retirement formula in our area is
2.3% of your high-3 average pay times years of service, but there is a rule of 80.

[Nobody]

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[outofthecorps1]

I always consider retirement options. I was surprised when I went to look at the FERS retirement. It is not as good as I thought it would be.

The retirement formula is as follows;

Link to FERS (http://www.opm.gov/fers_election/ri_90/f_seg.htm)

1.7% of your high-3 average pay
times
years of service
plus
1.0% of your high-3 average pay
times
years of service exceeding 20.

That means if you end up making $65000 to pick a round number

65K X 1.7% X 20 years= $22100 or $1841.67 a month

Prince William has virtually the same retirement formula

Lint to Virginia retirement (http://www.varetire.org/Members/BenefitPlans/LEOSEligible.html)

The retirement formula in our area is
2.3% of your high-3 average pay times years of service, but there is a rule of 80.

You forgot about TSP, the Thrift Savings Plan, the government's version of a 401k. The agency automatically puts in 1% whether you contribute or not. The govenment matches dollar for dollar the next 3% and $.50 on the percent that makes it 5. So, I put in 5% and Uncle Sam adds 5%, which gives me 10% of my base salary going into an interest bearing account.

As for the retirement calculation I get to buy back my military time, not sure how many years (just 4 or the whole 9) and that additional calculation is added onto my monthly retirement pay. Then there are the additional payments that I would recieve from my TSP account. I've been making contributions via the military's plan which would be a total of 24 years. So from a perspective of retirement the government option adds up better than it seems.

[Chiller]

You forgot about TSP, the Thrift Savings Plan, the government's version of a 401k. The agency automatically puts in 1% whether you contribute or not. The govenment matches dollar for dollar the next 3% and $.50 on the percent that makes it 5. So, I put in 5% and Uncle Sam adds 5%, which gives me 10% of my base salary going into an interest bearing account.

.


Just think if this was one of the math questions on a POST test :eek: :D