Military Experience

[JrSadowski]

Hey guys,

I am joining the Air Force and the job Im getting in the air force is called Security Forces which is the police for the air force. With me joining the air force for four years and having the job that is nearest of civilian police jobs. The reason I picked the air force or just the military path over school was because I didnt feel like having a debt and a degree after four years, but rather have four years of military experience and getting an associate degree or higher.

Since I was little I always wanted to become a police officer and just trying to get into it the best way possible. Would this be a great way when I get out of the air force after four years and honorably discharged to become a police officer? Also do most departments love military experience? Any other comments on if Im doing the right thing or not, and just give me some tips.

Thank you in advance!

[Johninaustin]

AF Security Forces have very little if any skills that translate well into Civilian LE. Most on-base Law Enforcement is done by civilian employees these days.

Now, military experience is a plus, but you'd be better off in a more technical career field.

Which do you think would be more hireable in any given area? Some guy that spent years standing around a flightline with a rifle? Or a medical tech or computer programer?;)

Honestly, being AF itelf isn't really all that big a benefit. Most prior service police are either Army or Marines. Heck, locally we have more former NAVY guys than AF.

[JrSadowski]

Security Forces are the police of the air bases NOT the civilian side. The security forces give tickets to speeders and also respond to domestics on base and have police powers while on base. Dont know what else is closest to police than that. Yeah the army and marines have MP but they go to Iraq and they are used as the infantry not as police officers of the marines or army. Also when I went to do the physical there were a lot of army and lots of marines that wanted to join that section of the military. Not a lot of air force and navy, because they dont go to iraq. They chose army and marines because of a lot action in Iraq. Thats why there are a lot of retired army and marines and not navy and air force.

[GrayPatriot]

Recruiter saw you coming from a mile away... :D

[Johninaustin]

Security Forces are the police of the air bases NOT the civilian side. The security forces give tickets to speeders and also respond to domestics on base and have police powers while on base. Dont know what else is closest to police than that. Yeah the army and marines have MP but they go to Iraq and they are used as the infantry not as police officers of the marines or army. Also when I went to do the physical there were a lot of army and lots of marines that wanted to join that section of the military. Not a lot of air force and navy, because they dont go to iraq. They chose army and marines because of a lot action in Iraq. Thats why there are a lot of retired army and marines and not navy and air force.

Man, the recruiter caught a live one in you. Call us back in 4 years. :D

[MP_Steve]

Security Forces are the police of the air bases NOT the civilian side. The security forces give tickets to speeders and also respond to domestics on base and have police powers while on base. Dont know what else is closest to police than that. Yeah the army and marines have MP but they go to Iraq and they are used as the infantry not as police officers of the marines or army. Also when I went to do the physical there were a lot of army and lots of marines that wanted to join that section of the military. Not a lot of air force and navy, because they dont go to iraq. They chose army and marines because of a lot action in Iraq. Thats why there are a lot of retired army and marines and not navy and air force.

Dude you have to be the most clueless poster that I've seen in my three years on this board. I work for a civilian police department and several of my co-workers are recently seperated from active-duty Air Force security forces. NONE of them have any law enforcement experience, and each tell me that they NEVER worked a road patrol, but was assigned to a gate or a flightline, and that's when they WEREN'T in Iraq. I was in the army reserve as an MP and did more LE work than the AF SF guys who were active duty if that tells you anything.

You really have to be the most gullible tool out there to seriously believe what that recruiter told you. I'm not so sure about the Air Force, as I don't think they've picked up this trend as much as the other services, but most branches are using civilian police officers to conduct law enforcement activities on military installations. Alot of AF bases are also on the same trend. IE: Department of the Air Force Civilian Police. They aren't security forces. They are civilian police officers sworn by the USAF to do what security forces used to, so that SF is more free to be deployable. Even the SF guys who do conduct LE, they have multiple enlistments and have made rank. You're not going to get that out of four years, IMO.

If you don't want to go to Iraq, then my suggestion is to not even enlist. Everybody from the Coast Guard to the Marines is serving in Iraq and you're not going to get out of it that easy. Save your fellow recruits the headache, you're obviously not cut out for military service, because if you were, you'd be MORE than willing to serve in a war zone.

Personally I don't think any MOS is better than the other when it comes to who would be better for police work. It's the individual who can committ that makes them a better person.

That recruiter has you under his thumb. Best of luck to you and I hope I don't ever have you as a co-worker. It's people like you who gave us the name "Entitlement Generation". I appreciate it. Thanks a bunch.

:rolleyes: