School or Military?

[zankeeper]

I'm a senior in high school, and I'm enrolled in a ride along program with the city police. I get to leave for the last two hours of school and hang out at the police station and go on calls...nice! I just got accepted into Lake State Superior University, a local university here in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. This school is a very good school, it has an excellent reputation with the criminal justice program. In fact most, if not all, graduated from that school and got a job here.
Now this place I live in is a great place, and I know it well. But of course me being the young foolish person I am I want move away and work somewhere in the city or something. (I like the idea of working in the city of Worcester, where my dad works as a firefighter, but that's a whole another thing to tackle with residency and possible tests or something to be able to be hired in a different state. If you know what I mean.)
Yet it seems joining the military is the best thing to do. My dad is always telling me of the advantages and how in Worcester, obtaining ''veteran status'' is the only way to get on the top of the civil service test list without scoring a perfect hundred. Also the whole experience and benefits financially and in life are obviously a motivation.
I do have a couple things thing that are holding me back. I'm over 20 pounds according to the height/weight chart for the airforce, I'm 20 pounds overweight. Which is fine because I'm trying to lose the weight anyways and be in prime physical condition. (I'm not super fat or anything, just a little bit extra in the tummy region.) By the time I lose my weight, which will take some time I think, since I only have an exercise bike and it's winter, I'm not sure how long it will take. Any tips on that, would be great.
I need to lose weight for college and military, no matter what. But the AirForce recruiter said he wouldn't even speak to me until I lose the weight. Which is understandable considering the lack of need for military recruitment, especially with the recent troop withdrawl. They are even more picky now. And the weight wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't for my physical defect in my leg. That's the main reason I wonder if I can even get in the military let alone the police. My actual foot has limited range of motion and the leg is about an inch and half shorter. I have a shoe lift in one shoe that totally balances everything out and makes running, walking, everything in general easier. It isn't necessary but it helps. I am told that as long as I can pass the physical exam and get certified, I'm doing MCOLES, I'm totally fine. But as you can see it is a bigger deal with the military.

I have outlined my entire situation above. Here are my questions:

Should I try even harder with the weight loss and go for the military? Or should I just keep at being in shape and just wait for college? Is the military the ONLY way to go? Or will college be sufficient? I'm interning for high school basically, I'm going to intern in college. I do volunteer work for an old folks home, and when I'm 21 in college, (I'm 18) I'll join the auxiliary police. A sergeant at the city police station runs it and needs people. Does this actually help in the long run if/when I try to get a job as a police officer?
Even though I can move like a normal person and keep up with typical gym class stuff, do I honestly still have a chance with the police even with my weird leg?

Sorry for the giant essay. First time posting here, I hope it's even the right spot.

[retdetsgt]

Both have advantages. Military in most states will give you veterans points you can use on your final test score. Also the experience is more maturing (IMO) than college. You need to lose the weight anyway and learn to keep it off if you're going to be a cop. There's no incentive to do that in college. Also, the military pays you, you pay college and with current tuition rates, unless your family can afford it, you'll probably graduate owing money for school loans.

Education is always valuable. Some agencies require a degree or at least some college. Check the ones you might be interested in, their web pages should have that info. If not, call them.

I suspect with the Iraqi war over, the military will start becoming more picky about how who they will accept. And don't minimize the fact you're overweight. The older you get, the more apt you are to become a lard@ss. Start watching not only the amount you eat, but what. Start weaning yourself off of fast foods and get used to decent meals. Also, start some sort of exercise program and stick to it. Once you get in the habit, you're start feeling guilty if you don't work out. Running is a good one and cheap. I never cared for it myself, but I always had something like a rowing machine in my bedroom that I worked out on every morning when I got up. Start some good habits now and keep them up.

[mcsap]

If they will waive the leg issue , eat better and workout more.

More than 1/2 of my PD are veterans bceause veterans preference makes a big difference.

[zankeeper]

Thanks for the responses. Yeah I know how to lose the weight. I'm actually more educated about it then most people. I have an excersise bike for this winter plus, I'm able to currently go to a fitness center at the university for free. Oh and I'm doing the 'Couch to 5K' program...it helps form someone into a runner.
My main problem is simple commitment. I just started getting into this fitness center so this should be a lot more motivating and productive.
There is incentive for college too...LSSU does the MCOLES certification so I have that. I also just want to be perfectly fit anyways. I can do it, I just need to stick to it. I understand the importance of good dieting and being as physically active as I can be for any situation as a cop, and in life in general. I'm just wondering if without the military if I still have a chance to snag a good job somewhere.

[kendral77]

If you choose to go to college, consider not majoring in Criminal Justice. If you major in something like Accounting or Business, it will open more doors for you than the CJ degree. LSSU has a decent accounting program. I'm not trying to say don't try for LEO, but a CJ degree has no more pull for getting a job as a LEO than any other degree, but it is a specialized degree that doesn't really translate into anything else. Where as the above mentioned accounting degree can open the door for federal law enforcement, and good careers outside of law enforcement in case you have an injury that makes working in law enforcement not possible.

[ET109]

I went to school. I think military is probably better, but both options are viable. Are you just looking for a stepping stone or do you want to join the military? I think that's important too.

[Big Sexy]

If you go military, depending on your MOS (Military Occupational Specialty), you may be able to attend college. If BUG recalls correctly, if you maintain a certain grade point average, the military may pay for or at least a part of your education. Upon discharge, if nothing else, you may be able to achieve an associates & 1/2 way there to a bachelors. Your GI Bill will take you the rest of the way & then some. Then when appliing for LEO jobs you'll be both degreed and receive veteran points and life experience.

[DeltaV]

Don't join the military just because it will help you in your chances to become a cop, join the military because you want to join the military. When I graduated from high school there were several of my classmates who joined the reserves or National Guard because they wanted to get money for college. Fast forward a few years and 9/11 happened, then some of them started getting upset when they got activated and deployed. The problem is when people join the military only looking at the potential benefits without looking at what it means to be in the military and what military life entails, that's when then they start to become unhappy members of the military.

While the military may help you more in initially getting hired (because of veteran's preference points), if you have any desire to advance in law enforcement then you will need a degree. The best applicants have both a degree and military experience. Although it's not impossible, it is difficult to go back to school and get your degree once you are working as a cop. The shift work and unpredictability in the schedule do not lend themselves well to taking classes.