Careers after the Military Here?

[Agent00Latin]

All
I was interested in what branches and MOS people have served in on here, and consequently what jobs youve landed since / still pursuing. Im a Field Artillery officer in the Army, and dreamin for FLE (FBI & ICE hopeful). I thought this would be a good thread to give people an idea of what kind of experience people have out there.

[navy80]

Good you got this thread going. I am getting out of the Navy soon and I have many possibilities but I'm starting to think being in the military isnt what they are looking for anymore. According to USAjobs they want a degree or alot of experience. I will be looking forward to some responses on here.

[janego10]

I was a military pilot and got hired with my current PD 4 months after i got out

[rix031]

i have a bachelor's, 4 yrs as a boatswain's mate in the uscg, police officer w/ 2 departments and now i am a fed w/ cbp. unfortunately, i am not a guidance counselor, however, if you are interested in law enforcement on a federal level, a bachelor's is almost mandatory. maybe not as a minimum qualification, but on a competitive level. everyone i work with (62 people) has at least a bachelor's degree.

[alienbow]

I'm not in the Military and I haven't ever been in the Military. I know that Military folks get extra points on written tests. I also know that having Military experience is a plus if you are thinking about going into le.

Just thought I would put that out there.

[McClus23]

I got out of the military (Army) about 8 months ago. Served 4 years as a mechanic and the last 3 as an MP. Had a couple of LE jobs in line right before I was discharged, only to watch them slip away. It's been a struggle ever since, but now the outlook is much better this time around. While I can't say I have a degree, what I can say is after talking to several officers in recruitment divisions an honorable discharge with some kind of combat/LE experience is a huge plus and +5 points on most exams/oral boards. If your looking for something right away, I'd suggest DoD Police. They're not sworn positions however they hire quickly and have great benefits.

[budman]

Getting out in December.. in the process for ICE right now. hope to have it all wrapped up by the time my terminal starts.

MOS: 31B

[blackandgold978]

I was an 11B. Got out after 8 years, and became a state C.O., and now a Deputy Sheriff. Came back to the Air National Guard. (Better Coffee.) :D I suppose that I'll forgive you for being a Gun Bunny, sir.....no one's perfect. :p

[Agent00Latin]

If only i were a gun bunny, it seems anymore that IN, AR, CAV, & FA battalions are all doing the same thing - at least here in Iraq. For those that have already made the transition, how would you guys say that youre military background has helped/hurt you in LE?

[Doc_STA]

I was in the marine corp for six years, started out as a rifleman, and because of my interest in intel, went into what was then called a Surveillance and Target Acquisition sniper unit, which have been phased out in favor of Scout Sniper guys. After the gulf, I stayed in a few more years as an intelligence specialist.

When I got out, I went right to a particular Pacific Northwest city's police agency, because I had worked there as a teen, and got hired on about 4 months after leaving the corp. Stayed there for about three years before taking the FLETC plunge into DS, where I have worked for nine years now. I picked up a few degrees along the way, and since, and I can't say that's hurt anything. I am currently working on a PhD.

Edit: In response to your just-posted question above, I would say that different sides of the experience can impress different agencies. As a field artillary officer, you do have inbred management skills, micromanaging, that the DEA might appriciate, but if you want a good shot at either of those, look at getting some intel experience under your belt. The intel experience I picked up in STA and in the intelligence specialist occupational field were amazingly helpful when I went to look for FLEO employment.

[blackandgold978]

If only i were a gun bunny, it seems anymore that IN, AR, CAV, & FA battalions are all doing the same thing - at least here in Iraq. For those that have already made the transition, how would you guys say that youre military background has helped/hurt you in LE?

I hear you. I saw many different soldiers doing similar duties while I was downrange. Truck drivers, commo personnell, MP's, FA, Infantry......all sticking their necks out on convoys. Stay safe there.....

To answer your question: I definately feel that my military background has helped me in LE......it felt like a natural fit/transition. Made the academy and the paramilitary structure much easier to accept in my life. Agencies like vets, too. Most of them, anyway...... :o

That said, as fars as cons are concerned, I think the LE lifestyle is far more cut-throat and predatory than life in the miltary. Sometimes I feel far more likely to be backstabbed by a fellow LEO than I ever was about another soldier/airman. I've met some big egos while I was active duty, but that was peanuts compared to some of the power-hungry, inflated heads at my department. :rolleyes: Some will say that's par for the course in ANY career, but I'll honestly think it's more prevalent in our particular line of work.

[hockeyduck]

***I was interested in what branches and MOS people have served in on here, and consequently what jobs youve landed since / still pursuing.***


My .02
I was honorably discharged August 2006 after 10 years. (navy/airdale)
Three Persian Gulf Deployments (two combat tours), I was one of those breed
of desert sailors (I only have 5 months boat time and 19 months desert time).

And you guys that have responded to this post know exactly what I'm talking about in regards to what I'm going to say.

Yes, military is a plus in regards to law enforcement, I had two prior service veterans sitting on my panel interview.

Needless to say we have each demonstrated the ability to deal with hardship, lead under hardship, maintain some sort of tact under hardship, and especially take an ***** chewing under hardship as well.

What I tell my junior guys (when I was on active duty) is if you decide to separate from military service with anything other than a honorable discharge you are a POS who could not even conform to military life, what makes you think you can adjust to the transition to civilian life?

I say this only because we have all encountered unsat, nasty, dirtbags, POS, lower than slug, would-starve-if-it-wasnt-for-the-military types in the military.

POINT: yes the military is a plus for those of us who choose to continue a life of service. AND those of us that fit this category were already motivated and determined PRIOR to enlisting or accepting their commissions.

BUT: not everyone that is prior service has the mindset to walk the thin blue line as well. To be quite BLUNT I know these same dirt bags (in the military) bragging about being the smiley sticker guy at WALMART.

SORRY: there is absolutely nothing wrong with being in the employs of retail sales, but I did not bust my ***, stress my family out while I was "away" and at home, taking orders from JO and senior enlisted who forgot where they came from..... to be making frigging minimum wage!

HOWEVER: I know LEOS that have not served in the military and personally speaking are squared away, motivated, honorable individuals.

SORRY: finally this is something that has bothered me for a very long time. I mean no disrespect to my brothers and sisters who are prior service combat vets who have earned their honorable discharge.

FINALLY: those in law enforcement, those that aspire, and those who have made it to receive word of their final offers know that this is a calling as I have told my wife.

If my thoughts upset you...I have a .25 call someone who cares...

[tgmoore]

Your right Hockeyduck, but I have a firm policy of not complaining to civilians. There are bad members of any profession. Soldiers, Doctors, Laywers, carpenters, and police officers.

[hockeyduck]

Your right Hockeyduck, but I have a firm policy of not complaining to civilians. There are bad members of any profession. Soldiers, Doctors, Laywers, carpenters, and police officers.


You are absolutely right TG, Never complain and talk shop with those outside the scope of ones respective professions. Best of luck to you in your search and hiring process.

[CombatVet]

Well I did my time in the Army and was honorably discharged yet it haven't made a lick of difference in my application for jobs in LE or reg jobs. I am currently waiting to become a State CO and have passed quite a few other LE jobs and I can truly say that my wait/chances of employment are the same as those who haven't served.

The only difference is the extra 5 or 10 points you get for serving in the Armed Forces, which translates to nothing more than better list placement with the other bunch of apps who didn't serve and got the same score as you did.

So my answer is this, to those of you who want to know the impact being in the Armed Forces will have on LE opportunities, it's the same as those who didn't serve and have the same score as you did. To the BI's you are just another app they have to process. At least that's the way myself and a few others I have been fortunate to meet have experienced.

Best advice I can give to any prior service interested in LE is to give it your best shot, hang in there and hope for the best.

[MacPointMan]

Not yet an LEO.
Prior Service 7 years ans an 11M/B and currently serving in the Reserve as a 25S.

In the application process for Clayton County Police Department, Ga. Seems that many in this agency are prior service. Hopefully all will go well. If anyone is interested I will keep you all posted as things go on.

MacPointMan