General Forums >> Law Enforcement Careers >> Need Advice on Military/Military Police/Police
Need Advice on Military/Military Police/Police
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Posted 2 months ago
My name is Brandon, I am 18 years old, I live in NJ just outside of Philadelphia, and I graduate high school on June 19th. Ever since I can remember I have wanted to be a police officer, and I have been working towards that goal. Recently I enlisted in the Navy, but I am not under contract to serve with the Navy until I ship out for Boot Camp on November 5th 2008. If I decide to back out any time before then I can. I went to the Navy to sign up as an MAA. For those that don’t know MAA=Master at Arms which is the Navy's version of Military Police. When I finished my physical I went to select my job and I was told that there were absolutely ZERO openings in the MAA field at this point in time. So I ended up signing on as a Mineman with the deal being, the Navy would delay my ship date until November so that they would have six months to wait for new openings in the MAA field. Now I am playing the waiting game and I am faced with a decision. I can wait until November and hope the MAA slot opens up, and if it does great! If it doesn't I am going to have to decide if I am willing to serve four years as a Mineman. If I do serve as a Mineman I will do so with the hope that after my four years I will have accumulated some college credits, if not a degree, and I will be more competitive for employment as a cop with my military experience. Right now I am not sure how I feel about going in as a Mineman and I have been looking around at police departments but I seem to keep running into prerequisite's like the need to have a college degree, or the need to be at least 21 Years Old. I am beginning to think that I am going to have to ship out no matter how bad I want to be a cop now as opposed to four years from now. I need some advice on what I should do, what I can do, anything would be appreciated…
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| Posted 2 months ago It sounds as if the recruiter is doing a number on you. I bet that if you pushed hard enough they could find you a slot in the MOS that you want. I could be mistaken but the only branches of service that I am certain wil guarantee you the military police MOS is the army and the air force (I'm not too sure about the Marine Corps). Just realize that if you choose Army you will performing mostly combat support duties as opposed to garrison law enforcement. You might want to check with the veterans of other services to see how their particular branches function. Remember this, joining the military is a lot like buying a car...don't settle for anything less than what you absolutely want. If the recruiters want to sign you up bad enough, they will make things happen. Be nice, be professional, have a plan to kill everyone you meet. |
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| Posted 2 months ago Don't hold your breath. As a former navy man, I think the Marines is a better choice to groom yourself to become a police officer. |
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| Posted 2 months ago I was a USMC MP and went in on contract. That was a long time ago but I know that if you have the test scores you can still get a 5811 contract. The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps!
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| Posted 2 months ago dbzguy63 says ...
this is normal, at this time the MA rate is over maned and getting MA is not that easy but if you truly want MA you have to be willing to leave on a moments notice and I'm talking about your recruiter calling you on Friday afternoon telling you an MA spot just opened up and the ship date is this Monday. but there is no way in hell I would go in as a mineman, if anything else shoot for gunnersmate (GM) or spec forces or EOD. 21 ME 918 |
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| Posted 2 months ago Being Air force Security Forces ( our MP ) I can tell you there is a 10% chance you will even be able to look at any type of LE in our career field. Were doing the same thing the Army is doing now. I've been in 6 years and have yet to see the inside of a patrol car with USAF on the side of it. My recommendation is USMC. But hey what do I know, Im in the Air Force... well for one more day that is. Everything you do can get you killed, including doing nothing at all. |
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| Posted 2 months ago Brandon, first welcome to PL. I'm not sure how it works for the Navy but to be an MP in the USMC you must be 19 years old first if I recall correctly. I would suggest a community college and waiting until there are openings within the MA field in the Navy if that is your choice. Many if not most MPs, MAs, SP's etc are filling billets that are not what would be considered traditional "police" billets within the military community. While a military career will definitely add maturity to your resume and also provide you educational opportunities, it is not a prerequisite. Consider other options available to you at this time before making a solid decision. Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. Moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue. -Senator Barry Goldwater |
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| Posted 2 months ago Yeah, Top but by the time he's ready to go and get's through PI (if he get's through) and MP school he'll prob be 19. I dont think you have to be that old when you enlist.... or at least I wasnt. I WAS that old by the time I started work in the 5800 field though. You've been in since i have.... am i right on this? The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps!
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| Posted 2 months ago I was 17 when I became an MA for the Navy, also if you look into getting into Federal LE such as DoD Police for example, they want prior Military LE. 21 ME 918 |
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| Posted 2 months ago My advice to you is this; if you really want to enlist as an MA then and you have to wait. WAIT. I have seen troops in my career field (Security Forces) who wanted to do something else in the Air Force and instead of waiting they just came in and let the AF decide where they should be. These people were unhappy and had a miserable time. |
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| Posted 2 months ago That is a common recruiter trick, they played it on me. He didn't lie, always remember that they don't lie, they say it in a way that plays with your head and makes you think you can't do something. He probably also told you that you could get to your unit and fill out the proper request form and change your MOS too didn't he? What they mean is they have no MA positions to fill, and they have other positions they need to try and fill. Recruiters are given lists of critical MOS that they have to try and push to get filled. You should have stuck to your guns and walked out and told them to call you when there was an opening. In my case the phone was ringing as soon as I got home. My advice is go back to your recruiter and TELL him you are going to be an MA or you aren't going and make him fix it. PAIN IS WEAKNESS LEAVING THE BODY! |
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| Posted 2 months ago KSP494 says ...
I did actually walk out when they told me they didnt have any MA openings, but then they called up some Master Chief recruiter to talk to me and the Master Chief was like if you join you will be in our system and we will be able to transfer your MOS to MA instantly as opposed to if you aren't in the system it could take a few days or weeks and by that time the MA spot could be gone again. So i ended up signing on but if the spot doesnt open up by late SEP im planning on backing out and then i figure they will know I mean business and will get me the MA. Then of course there is also the USMC, they are in need of MP right now and they are even offering a Bonus. |
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| Posted 2 months ago dbzguy63 says ...
and he was telling you the truth but like I said an MA spot may open up in three days and you have to decided if you are willing to leave on a moments notice 21 ME 918 |
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| Posted 2 months ago if they are still giving you the run around, you can try for AF MPs (security forces), just another option to keep open. as far as patrol time, some bases have more LE than others. my base (wright-patterson afb, ohio) is about 90% LE, we do WAAAAAAAAAAAY more LE than security. idk, just look around, but dont let the recruiters screw you, no matter what they say you're just another number to them and they just want to get you in, thats all. make the best decision for you.....good luck man As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil...b/c I'm the baddest, meanest MoFo in the whole damn valley! No sacrifice, NO VICTORY! |
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| Posted 2 months ago dbzguy63 says ...
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| Posted 2 months ago Any military background is good for Law Enforcement qualifications. By going into the military you will learn the most IMPORTANT lesson of your life. ( learn how to take an order) , anybody can give an order on the Police Department, but that does not qualify them as a superior officer, only a higher ranking officer. I will tell you the same thing that I told my daughter " join the Coast Guard". A world of Federal opportunities open up for you , especially if you are involved in Drug Interdiction in Florida. You will meet all the right people and have the Law Enforcement background. Also no matter branch of Service, it will be credited to your retirement. When you retire , you will be thankful . Glory earned on the field of battle , can never be taken away , you take it with you to the grave. Quote by General George Armstrong Custer |
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| Posted about 1 month ago catm2005 says ...
Thats not true. All I have done since I have been in is LE and I have a Flightline at my base too. There are a good amount of bases that perform LE functions in the AF. But we do alot of Army jobs now overseas also. |
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| Posted about 1 month ago Not that I'm complaining any...but I was an MP in the Army for 6 years. With all the wars, I spent more time in the desert than I did behind a patrol car. You want to really become an LEO (Law Enforcement Officer)? Finish college, get a BA in Criminal Justice, Business, Accounting or in an IT field in computers then sign a contract that sounds like fun and let that GI Bill pay off on some of those College debts while you get paid to blow sh*t up. Just my 2 cents... ¡GØÐ HņH ÑØ ƒÜR¥ †HÂÑ À Pϧ§ËР؃ƒ PÁRņRØØPËR! Ríø†!™ |
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| Posted about 1 month ago contact the The United States Coast Guard I belive that all coast guards men are fed leo's |
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| Posted about 1 month ago magoo853 says ...
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WOW Your first post on this site and your telling me thats not true.. Well bubba, your in that 10% I was talking about. Have a good time sitting at home while the rest of us spend more then half our enlistment in Iraq.
How about you go into the introduction forum and tell us a little bit about yourself before you come in here and start trying to correct people. Everything you do can get you killed, including doing nothing at all. |
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| Posted about 1 month ago Yes sir Cat, Mr. Magoo needs to put his glasses on so he can hear what you are saying. Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. Moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue. -Senator Barry Goldwater |
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| Posted about 1 month ago Well my friend i will agree with everyone else. I was in your exact situation. No MP slots so i came in as a combat engineer, after first enlistment I reclassed. Funny thing about it since i became a MP I ve been downrange..and my engineer skills have helped alot. As far as Garrison work i am at year 8 i have finally made it to a patrol car in Nato and I hate it but I am getting some school done. All in all don't try to mix too many things at once. Your young if you come into the service be prepared to focus on the service lives depend on it and i am sure you'll enjoy it. as far as college the Army has some great benefits and if your not lazy you can get some, However comma if you are good at what you do and the navy is like the army your have very little time for school, there are those few though. I would suggest go into the navy and try somthing new other than law enforcment you still get the things the civillian world like, discipline, accountability and so on. Than jump out after some well appreciated service to your country..... and go back to school so when you go to law enforcment you know a thing or two about life and being on your own. But what I do I know..in a year i will begetting out and go from SSG and leader of soldiers to a wide eye rookie..lol...can't wait |
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| Posted about 1 month ago here you go man the skinny on the whole deal no matter what you do in the military most PD's are fasing away from military police but i havent seen that lately bt who knows now this is all of what i heard.. but i did serve in the military for seven years and in my opinion every ablebodied male in the entire us needs to serve at least two years in the military not only would we have a stronger nation but i think the crime rate would go down... so go to the military a police job is one of thoses things that will never go away we will allways need LE. dont be in a hurry and its only 4 years it a drop in the bucket compare to your life.. and you will be what 23 24 years old and a lot more mature wich is a plus when going out for a job in LE. and you should have told your requtier to go get bent if he didnt have the job that you want and if i where you i would tell them that the army is offering you miltary police and if the navy dosent do the same you are gone to the army.. man play the game dont be played.. if you have some questions let me know ill do what i cna to answer them for you or have someone answer them k... GOD MADE COPS SO FIREFIGHTERS WOULD HAVE HEROS!
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| Posted about 1 month ago Hey I just wanted to thank everyone for their input, there is a lot of information that has been put up here and it has really got me thinking about what Im gonna do next. I still have about six months until I ship out so I suppose a whole lot could change by then, If anyone has advice or questions please post it because all of this input is really helping me out. Thanks again guys. |
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| Posted about 1 month ago catm2005 says ...
First off Im not trying to argue with you, I am simply stating that it is not like that all over the Air Force. I know plenty of bases that are mostly LE now a days, so there is no reason to tell everyone that there is not a chance of them being able to work LE in the Air Force. I have been in Iraq for half of my enlistment by the way. |
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| Posted about 1 month ago In cases where they do TRICK YOU into not being what you want to be, generally you have to wait until reenlistment. When the recruiter ays, "Just get to your unit and fill out a request to change." WHat that actually means is get to your unit and ask to fill out a request in which case your chain of command will laugh at you and even if they do let you fill it out the commander is not going to sign it in which case your request is dead in the water because your commander does not have to release you and if he did he would be short a man. PAIN IS WEAKNESS LEAVING THE BODY! |
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| Posted 24 days ago My opinion, it really does not matter what MOS you have in the military, it is what you bring from it that really matters. I was AF SF and worked flightline patrol, Desk Sgt, Administration, Fligh Chief, No real LE duties. Military Police does not necessarily prepare you for Civilian LE work. Just my opinion. Employers like military people because they usually look sharp, are articulate, have some dicipline, follow orders, listen, and are very trainable. My advice is that if you enter the military, have a plan, learn all you can, get a degree, and excel in your job. |
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| Posted 24 days ago I can answer this from the recruiters perspective. In the 4 + years I was a recruiter, I never had someone get a job they didn't want. Why, because the job is the service branch not the specific MOS or AFSC. Make sure you want to be in the Navy for the right reasons, not just becoming an MAA. Do you want to travel, do you want educational benefits, etc. I am not a military (SF) policeman in the AF, but still want to be an LEO when I retire. I know that it will still help no matter what. If you fel like you are getting run around, go in and back out. You are correct you do not have to go. I would re-evaluate why you walked into the Navy's office in the first place and see if those same feelings and beliefs hold true. If you get in and really don't want to be there, then that is how people get a bad taste in their mouths about the military. My .02 cents worth from the other side of the coin.... Certified wiseacre. Proudly serving since 1986. "Hey! I'm workin' here!" |
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| Posted 24 days ago bcummer says ...
Well it matters when you aren't doing the job you wanted to. PAIN IS WEAKNESS LEAVING THE BODY! |
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| Posted 24 days ago Brandon, I have been a police officer for 24 years, I have also served as a Miltary Police Officer in the United States Army and Army Reserve for the last 26 years. I think the recruiter is trying to get into a career field where he needs people, but I also agree with a couple of the others that the Marine Corps has a great Military Police Program. I would also tell you as a recruiter for my police department your MOS is not as important as your career in general and how you do in the military. Your record will be your step in. You also need to complete your college or get as much of it as you can. I hope this helps a little, good luck in your future and hope to see you in uniform in a few years. |