Marines then a LEO

[GruntWannabe]

I am currently a sopmore in High School and want to enlist in the Marines after high school. I want to make a career out of the Marines but i also want to become a LEO. My question is, is there any certain age limit for becoming a LEO? Because if i make a career out of the Marines i would get out in my late 30's.

[TPDHellhound]

21 for most agencies

[Star]

There is an age limit on Federal but not County and City. I'm not sure about State (of course, you have to be over 21).

Good luck to you and great choice!!!

[Cat_Doc]

Hey, one step at a time. Finish H.S., then see if you still want to be a Marine. Do your first enlistment tour, then see if you still want to be a Marine. Then decide if you want a career in law enforcment.

There are quite a few agencies that hire officers in their late 40's, so that should not be a problem if you look around.

[GruntWannabe]

Thanks for the replies.

I know i might not want the same thing in 1 year or 10 years but nonetheless i am going to stay out of trouble and stay in school just in case.

Also I want to live in a small town in the South when i grow up. What are the requirments for most small Police Staions in the south. I want to live in a town with less than 3,000 or so people.

[MOCOP]

Hey, one step at a time. Finish H.S., then see if you still want to be a Marine. Do your first enlistment tour, then see if you still want to be a Marine. Then decide if you want a career in law enforcment.

Exactly. The Corps as a career isn't for everyone.

But I did have a 1st Sgt (Career MP PMO type) that retired and went to work for Oceanslime PD. He had to attend the academy and get POST certified.

[Old Trooper]

In many agencies, you can deduct the number of years in the military from your age.

[Bearcat06]

But I did have a 1st Sgt (Career MP PMO type) that retired and went to work for Oceanslime PD. He had to attend the academy and get POST certified.

I know a retired Army Sergent Major (Special Forces at that) that returned back to the area about 6 years ago, went through my academy (2 classes before me), and got hired by a local PD.
The crazy bastard then turned around and helped out at the academy for nothing (PT'd the living day lights out of us) after he worked midnight shifts. About 3 years ago, he did a lateral transfer to Grandview, MO PD and just became the oldest graduate of the KCPD Motorcycle Officer's Course and is crusing the street with one of my classmates.

So yes, a full career in the military and then on to LE can be done....

[steelcityk9cop]

One thing you need to look at however is how retirements work in your state for police. For example, our department mandates retirement at 65. We have a few guys who started in their 40's and won't have their 25 years in before they have to go.... they will get a reduced pension AND have to wait until they would have completed 25 years.

We have a few officers who left active duty military service early and intend to retire from the reserves.

[GruntWannabe]

Thanks for all the replies, you guys have been very helpful. I guess I'll take it one step at a time and see how things unfold.

[mcsap]

We are able to "buy back" the number of years we were on active duty ( max of 5 yrs) and than leave that many years early and still retire at the full pension amount.