how much does military experience help to get a police job

[n_stieve]

Hi my name is nate im 19 and i was thinking about going in to the marines as an MP. The recruter i have been talking to has told me that right after i got out i could go strait in to law enforcment with out any college or any extra training??? i was also wondering about the marines in general... any and all advice is greatly apriciated!!!!!!!!

[GR217]

Let me answer your question in two parts. First off any military service is an incredible way to serve your country, and build up a nice start toa resume'. Military serivce will be very beneficial to the hiring process, some departments will even give you extra points on the entrance exams for military service. Military service also builds maturity, team work, discipline and several other character attributes that police departments look for.
However for the second part to my answer, the USMC recruiter gave you some bad information. If you serve as an Mp in any branch once you get out you will still have to complete an academy to become "certified" or "commisioned" depending on the state. I think Florida might have a program where MPs (not security force but actual MPs performing police duties) can take a proficiency test and then become certified. Other than that you will need an academy.
I would recommend you enlist in any branch either as a reservist or National Guard (Army and Air Force) and then while serving your country part time, attend college full time, and have the military pay for your 4 year degree. But, also realize that if you enlist be prepared for a trip to the sand box. Good luck to you, and if you enlist, you have my gratitude for serving this great country.

[kb5zcr]

Let me first say that all my experience in this was a long time ago (1988).

I spent 4 years in the Army 1984-1988(not as an MP) and there is no doubt in my mind that my military service is what got me hired as a police officer at a small Texas PD.

I don't know if it would have had the same effect had I applied at a larger dept, but at my dept. there were only about 35 officers and I am sure that I got hired because I was ex military.

That got my foot in the door and here I am all these years later still in law enforcement. I am no longer with that small dept but currently work with CBP (18yrs on the job).

I say, go for it. I have never regreted serving in the military. When I run into someone that has served in the military, I consider that person as having paid their dues and deserving of a little more credit than those without military experience.

It won't pave the way for your future, you still have to earn what you get, but it does help.

Good luck, Tim

[kc12]

To piggyback on GR217, check with the state you are interested in working. Many times the state law enforcement officer commissioning agency will be able to tell you which service's police academy would count toward the state academy. The first time I got out of the military, Michigan did not recognize my training. When I was thinking about getting out the second time they changed policies and did accept my training. By that time I was not interested, but one of my troops was looking into getting out.

Florida did accept the training, but I had to attend a 10 day compliance course and take the state exam, which was much easier than the 16 week full academy.

As my example with Michigan shows policies can change so just because the training is accepted now does not mean it will be accepted later. Also from when I applied for the waiver for Florida to when I actually attended class the changed to policy. At first the waiver was good indefinitely, but after I had obtained the waiver they changed the law so it was only good for six months.

[1895FED]

Let me answer your question in two parts. First off any military service is an incredible way to serve your country, and build up a nice start toa resume'. Military serivce will be very beneficial to the hiring process, some departments will even give you extra points on the entrance exams for military service. Military service also builds maturity, team work, discipline and several other character attributes that police departments look for.
However for the second part to my answer, the USMC recruiter gave you some bad information. If you serve as an Mp in any branch once you get out you will still have to complete an academy to become "certified" or "commisioned" depending on the state. I think Florida might have a program where MPs (not security force but actual MPs performing police duties) can take a proficiency test and then become certified. Other than that you will need an academy.
I would recommend you enlist in any branch either as a reservist or National Guard (Army and Air Force) and then while serving your country part time, attend college full time, and have the military pay for your 4 year degree. But, also realize that if you enlist be prepared for a trip to the sand box. Good luck to you, and if you enlist, you have my gratitude for serving this great country.


N_stieve
GR-217 summed it up Nicely!!
I went to College first then on to the military. I wish that I did the reserves while in college so I could start gaining years towards retirement. I was an MP in the Army for 5 years from 96-01 which wasn't bad duty. Like GR-217 stated today you will most likely do time in the desert. But if I was to go back into the service I would go into the Air force. I know not as hard core as the Marines your thinking, but Quality of Life says alot and they have it!
Another thing the Marine recruiter falied to tell you is that you are NOT guaranteed MP as a job. What ever is available when you graduate Basic training is what you get. So guess what job's fill up fast the MP's, INTEL, all the good jobs, and the bad ones GRUNTS. No disprespect to any of them they do an outstanding job but its a hard JOB and NOBODY wants to do it!
Hope this helps

[reils49]

First, dont believe everything a recruiter tells you.

Second, dont join the Marine Corps for a job. If you want a job, join another service. If you want to join the MC, do it to be a Marine, then pick an MOS that interests you. But a desire to be a Marine should be first.

Third, understand that we are at war, and that means the Marine Corps is at the front. No other way around that. If youre doing it for college money, or get some training to become a cop, good..... but join the air force. The Marine Corps is going to take alot from you, and youre not going to see a whole lot in return, or maybe you will. I can only speak for myself.

Like some of the other guys have said, the other services offer a better quality of life and most times more money, and security in being guaranteed an MOS. We <the Marines> cant do that. However, I will say this, I would not want to serve in Iraq with the army. I could tell you horror stories about that, no disrepect to the army. If you have any more questions, and want some no-bull$hit answers send me a PM. If I seem bitter or disgruntled, get used to it...welcome to the Corps!

[will0861]

I was in the same boat almost 10 years ago. I wanted to be a Marine, and be an MP. Unfortunately, there were no MP openings when I enlisted. I was a forward observer, and I really enjoyed that much more than an MP.

Like reils49 said, join the Corps to be a Marine. If that is not your priority, then you'll regret your decision. If you choose to become a Marine, then everything else falls into place. I can tell you that being a Marine is something that I will carry with me forever. Now, working with civilians, I can see the difference that it makes.

Finally, most military service will help you with law enforcement. Simply because you have more maturity, and life experience then a dirt bag college hippy. All departments that I know of require you to complete their academy, and be trained on their policies, so you would have to unlearn most of the MP field. My suggestion would be to get into a specialized field like small arms repair, or something along those lines. It would be something that most people would not have on their resume, and would easily benefit any department that you work for.

[Unit453]

I was an Army MP from 95-04. Good experience and good training, then. Now its completely different. Any service is gonna help you out and any job you did while you were in.

You gotta remember though that in any branch, you're gonna deploy. The Army more so more frequently so and for much longer tours. Many people these days get out for that reason.

Also, the job of an MP has really been phased out for law enforcement duties. Every branch employs DoD police nationwide. DoD police have been around for a while and many installations dont use MP's at all anymore and havent for some time. Some bases are in transition from "green" to "blue" so you may get outta boot camp and find yourself in the desert within 2 months. You may find yourself spending say 5 years active duty and not once, ever, working the road. Many new recruits are envious of DoD police these days because its the job that replaced theirs. They were told one thing by their recruiter and little did they know it was totally the opposite at the installation they got assigned to.

I deployed my share and will never forget those times. I also worked the road quite a bit and it got me some solid experience on rather busy installations. I got out just as the Army was transitioning to civilian DoD police. The MP job is pretty much a thing of the past, I hate to say. Just dont count on that for any experience these days. 10 years ago, sure, but not today. Like another member above stated, we are at war and no matter your MOS or branch, you're gonna get deployed. If I could do it all over, I woulda joined the Corps. I see how much respect they have for each other and I envy them. Army will never, ever have that.

The days of MP's providing law enforcement to any installation are over with. Take a look at USA jobs. Look and see how many Marine Corps bases are hiring DoD police.

[MGC750]

Besides my wife and kids, the Marine Corps is the best thing I have ever been a part of (but also the hardest thing). I have the greatest respect for MP's, but when I was thinking of what I wanted to do in the Marines, I was told by numerous people in civilian law enforcement that I should think twice about becoming an MP. Their reasoning was that military law enforcement is different from civilian law enforcement and civilian law enforcement agencies don't want to retrain and remove bad habits from prior MPs. MPs: please don’t beat me up with words; I’m just passing on some advice I was given. I’m not sure it’s true, but it is something to think about.

Here is my advice for what it’s worth:

1) Definitely join the military (it’s a great character builder).

2) Go to college while you’re in the military (I was able to complete my Associate’s Degree before leaving four years of active duty and I did not have to touch my GI Bill money).

3) Regardless of which military branch you choose, pick a job that is totally opposite of law enforcement that could help you get a civilian non-law enforcement job. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with law enforcement (I’m a state trooper and I love it), but there are many people who get into law enforcement and find out it is not for them or possibly get hurt. It is better to be well rounded than only have one skill set that you’re not even positive you will like. Everything you need to know to be a basic law enforcement officer will be taught to you at the academy and during the field training process. I have a BA in Criminal Justice (I got it before I took my own advice on being well rounded) and it does not help me be a much better officer than a degree in basket weaving would.

[reils49]

Will, the same thing happened to me when I enlisted. I joined 5 1/2 years ago, thought I was going to be an MP. Well Im a 6531/6199 (Aviation Ordnancemen/Aerial Gunner), and I have never looked back. And seeing some of the knucklehead MPs at the gate, and sleeping in there patrol cars, Im glad I didnt get that job.:D

[reils49]

U 453, where in NY you at?

[Unit453]

Northern. Near Watertown, pretty much on the border.

[reils49]

Nice. I love that area. Im from the Hudson Valley, but Ive travelled a lot up there. You do much deer hunting?

[Unit453]

I hate it up here....You can have it brother.

[reils49]

LOL. you stationed at Ft Drum?

[Unit453]

No, I'm not military. I do work there now though. I hate it too.

[reils49]

Im stationed in Cali, and I hate it here:cool:

[cwm093]

I have a question hopefully someone can answer it. I am graduting with BA in criminal justice and thinking of joining the navy as an MP. I was wondering if this would help me get hired when i am done serving or would a BA be enough to join a police department by itself? If someone could help that would be great!

[Unit453]

Have you ready any of this thread?

Agencies really dont care what you did in the military. Anyone with prior service background is gonna be looked at relatively highly.

Dont really expect to get a whole lot of road time as a Navy MA either. You do realize that on most installations, no matter the branch, law enforcement has been given to civilian police...If anything, you'll be right seat riding.

[L-1]

Hi my name is nate im 19 and i was thinking about going in to the marines as an MP. The recruter i have been talking to has told me that right after i got out i could go strait in to law enforcment with out any college or any extra training??? i was also wondering about the marines in general... any and all advice is greatly apriciated!!!!!!!!

There are two issues here. First, going into the military will help teach you discipline and teamwork and should increase your maturity. This should help you do a better job as a cop (or just about anything else in life).

However, will it give you a better chance at getting hired over other applicants? In my state, applicants are usually hired based in the order of their combined test scores from written and oral exams. Highest score gets picked first, second highest score gets hired second, etc. In many agencies, applicants who have satisfactorily completed military service get Veteran's Credit, which usually adds around three points to their test score. That's the only edge you will get. In most cases (again in my state) you can only use your Veteran's Credit once with an agency. After you use it to get hired, you can't claim again with that agency to transfer to another job or in a promotional exam.

[Gunny99]

n_stieve,

I have read the responses to your post, which you have received unofficially on behalf of the United States Marine Corps. I come to realize that like many boards on these sites some things should be left up to thus that have true knowledge of subject matter. I do agree with some of the advice that has been posted, but some just sound like disgruntled postal workers that want the world to be placed at their feet with no true mental and physical effort on their own behalf.

My personal experience with the questions that you are obviously concerned with is this;
I’ am a former Marine that has served our country for 20 years. My last 11 years of service to the Marines was a duty that most service members run from no matter what service they are or was in. I retired as a successful Marine Corps Recruiter in the Houston, Texas area. (Also known as an 8412-Career Rctr) In order to be a successful recruiter you have to be upfront with applicants, parents, educators and who ever else you meet. Our survival was based upon the words that came out of our mouths. Are there recruiters that are threatened with disciplinary actions that do not make their mission, or who may lie to an applicant, you bet! But, by not telling the truth to an applicant will only contaminate and destroy that recruiter’s area, which takes months to establish. Some recruiters are simply looking for a warm body, some are afraid to tell the applicant they don’t qualify for a particular job, some applicants want to fly jets, but may only qualify for jobs such as grunts. My experience as a career recruiter, I've seem college students and applicants that scored extremely high on the Armed Services Vocational Attitude Battery test and all they wanted was to be a grunt and applicants that did not do so well that wanted the stars and the moon. Aplicants can enlist into the Marines assigned to a M.O.S. (JOB) or go open contract (no job) their choice, which can be good or bad. I believe most recruiters want to do there job correctly and honestly, but again that requires training and coaching on behalf of thus over the junior recruiters. You also have applicants that hide the truth about their background, very similar to people who search these threads looking for ways to get around the system. But, remember a Marine Corps drill Instructor do not need a polygraph machine to uncover the truth. And if you have doubt with what your recruiter is saying, ask to speak with the head recruiter, he has more to lose, and a recruiter is only there for two to three years max. A career recruiter is there for the duration of his/her tour in the military.

Regardless to what occupation you may receive in the military, so as long as you depart with an Honorable Discharge you may have a chance with a LE agency. In some cases with or without college, but as far as without additional training that is highly unlikely. Keeping in mind to continue to progress/be competitive in any field civilian or military the more training and education a applicant the better one looks on paper.

I believe no service is better than the other, it boils down to personal preference, and can they provide you with the tools that you are looking for to be successful. Base your decision by weighting the things that you have learned. No one should have to convince or persuade you to join any branch of the military, when all is said and done it has to be a well educated, soul searchiing for the truth conducted and discerned by you.

There is no place for people in LE or RECRUITING regardless of branch that have a problem telling the truth.

Good luck in your search!

Semper Fi



"Hard pressed on my right. My center is yielding. Impossible to maneuver.
Situation excellent. I am attacking!"

Ferdinand Foch, 1914.