Future law enforcement

09-08-2004, 03:44 PM

25 year old male, longing to be in law enforcement. Considering military to serve as a MP to further my trainging in this area and to make myself a more appealing hire when i get out. I have a love for the core, but is this the best branch to get said trainging? Are marines alowed to choose there there job?

**Vulture6** · 09-08-2004, 04:14 PM

Depending upon your ASVAB test scores, you may be able to select your MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) field. Talk to a recruiter and they can give you specifics. Many Police Departments / Sheriffs don't care what your military specialty was, but do give consideration to any honorable military service.

If your goal is to enter law enforcement, my recommendation would be to talk to a law enforcement recruiter from the agency where you want to serve (local PD, Sheriff, FBI, etc). Ask them what you should do to be better prepared for a law enforcement career. Many require some college.

BTW - when you refer to Marines, it is a proper noun, and should be capitalized (or you'll raise the ire of those who have served - once is forgivable). Also, it is Corps, not core. Again, once is forgivable.

USMCRET6391 · 09-08-2004, 05:01 PM

Ire? Who the hell says Ire?..we just get fucking mad

Another issue is your age, if you are going to do this it better be soon.......College is a good idea also if you want to be a police man..........see if the local jr college has any law enforcement type courses you can take.

USMC Chuter · 09-09-2004, 03:46 AM

Cop here.. If you're wanting to use the military as a springboard into law enforcement, make sure you do your homework. It's a great way to go, but remember that nowadays college is becoming mandatory at more and more agencies, military service be damned. Also, don't let the MP thing fool you. I've never heard of an MP getting looked at any more favorably than a military shrub trimmer would. MP and civilian law enforcement are two very different animals. Pursue and education and go for whatever MOS interests you. The leadership, people skills, and basic overall responsibility you gain through military service mean way more than any specific training when it comes to getting a cop job. Just the brutal truth.

09-09-2004, 06:43 PM

Thank you for the feedback, you've givin me more to think about.

I've tested for several departments over the last two years, and have come just short of my goal. I agree that some criminal justice classes will go a long way, and the military has always been of high interest, my thinking is that the Corps could help with both.

~Thanks again~

ANGRecruit · 09-09-2004, 06:50 PM

T_Fatty.......by the way, great name...no matter what it means. I am in the same situation only i left school and now interested in becoming a cop....really isn't as easy as it sounds. I'm only 21, but I definitely want to go National Guard in the mean time while I try to get into law enforcement.

USMC Chuter · 09-10-2004, 04:07 AM

Keep this in mind, gents.. Statistics show that only 2 of every 100 applicants for law enforcement jobs will ever eventually wear a badge. Some fail the written tests and don't re apply.. Some wash out in the medical, PT, psychological, oral boards, polygraph, or background investigation.. It's extremely common for someone to apply to a number of agencies, a number of times before finally getting hired. It's very competative. If you want it, prepare yourself as best you can through your life experiences and education. Don't let your finances go to shit. Don't do stupid shit (drive drunk, drink too much habitually, hang out with stupid people, go from job to job, etc..) Perseverence is everything. Develop your qualifications and don't quit trying.

Stay low, Move fast

Hoss68 · 09-12-2004, 10:48 PM

Fair warning from a former MP who did NOT want to pursue being a civilian cop after enlistment....

Many MP's get burnt out! Then you have an anger issue while on the job. I have many friends who are former MP's or SP's and they were not looked at highly when applying for civilian jobs. Main reason~ Bad habits that had to be broken.

If you want to be looked at on a more favorable level~ Go grunt. 03's have not had to deal with the UCMJ as much (hopefully), the "God complex" many base MP's have, etc...

I wanted to be a lawyer since 5th grade. I have the brains, but not the temper. After being a field MP~ Seeing all the bullshit, the red tape, the limitations... I threw that dream away.

Unless you get an education or want to work security the rest of your life~ MP's is NOT the route to take.

Almost every state is moving toward at least a 2 year degree to be a cop now.

Good luck! LA

USMC Chuter · 09-17-2004, 04:32 AM

Hard pill to swallow, Hoss, but pretty much dead on. Thanks for the post.

Hoss68 · 09-17-2004, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usmc chuter

Hard pill to swallow, Hoss, but pretty much dead on. Thanks for the post.

Sorry, don't want someone white washing when it comes to another future...

Guess being brutally honest can be a plus~ lol

Bunny · 09-18-2004, 12:44 AM

Listen to Chuter. I am only 17, but I know what’s up. If you can, go down to your local PD, and have them explain the process of application. It’s pretty gruesome, last class I saw that went through had 150 applicants and 2 made it. Those applicant had done NOTHING bad in there life (the BG checkers can go back as far as grade school, btw) and they had college degrees. (Those are the two most important aspects of people getting hired these days). So think about it, and start working hard now.

Hoss68 · 09-18-2004, 08:01 PM

Wow, "Bunny" you're 17 AND a Marine?!

Glad you have so much life experience to share with someone who is making a MAJOR decision in their life.

Did you sense the drippin' sarcasm???? I fuckin' hope so.

09-20-2004, 04:28 PM

like I said, I've been testing for some time now, i know the prosses all to well. And when i say "just short of my goal" i'm talking being ranked 5th out of 300, and they hired 3 (so yes i'm on the list, but no word for a while). I've got 3 departments i'm testing for right now, if they dont pan out then i think the military is the way i'm going to go. As far as the job, i thought MP only because i have a genuine desire to learn, and practice law enforcement.
I've heard of MPs' being both favorable and not. I think its more the applicant and what they bring with them to the job. I mean to bring the best of what i have.

Thank you all for your advice and honesty

**66MP1** · 09-20-2004, 04:53 PM

Quote from USMC Chuter

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Cop here.. If you're wanting to use the military as a springboard into law enforcement, make sure you do your homework. It's a great way to go, but remember that nowadays college is becoming mandatory at more and more agencies, military service be damned. Also, don't let the MP thing fool you. I've never heard of an MP getting looked at any more favorably than a military shrub trimmer would. MP and civilian law enforcement are two very different animals. Pursue and education and go for whatever MOS interests you. The leadership, people skills, and basic overall responsibility you gain through military service mean way more than any specific training when it comes to getting a cop job. Just the brutal truth.

__________________________________________________ _______________

I have to disagree with some of what you said and that is only speaking from personal experience in my state. I was an MP and it is one of the reasons that I was hired as a Police Officer. I also spent 14 years as a Police Chief and would always look at former military, especially MP's first. Of course, that was almost 33 years ago(when I was hired), so I know that things have changed in both civilian and military and the training and jobs of MP's are probably different now. You are right that most agencies are looking for college now before military. The department that I retired from requires a four year degree. And the stats do show that out of 100 applicants, you get one officer. The agencies all accross the country are being very selective in who they hire now and they have plenty of applicants to choose from most of the time. My advise would be to not give up, because if you keep trying, you will get a job one day.

USMC, I do agree with the last part of your statement and I think that is very good advice.
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