My chances

[RedandBlue84]

I have been testing for awhile and it seems that I'm always getting knocked off the list by people who were in the Marines and so on. Would it be to my benefit to join the marines as an MP and get honorable discharge and then try to become a police officer. I was also thinking of the National Guard as well.

What do you guys think?

[Laww]

Having college or military experiece is ALWAYS a plus (assuming you got an Honorable Discharge). Many of the academy class I am going in with shortly are former Marines, as am I. There is no substitute for the experience you will get there, in my opinion. The military is a great place to mature and develop social skills. College is good also, but not having had done that when I was younger, I can't really comment on it.

[RedandBlue84]

Your opinion is highly appreciated. My only concern is that I'm 24 now and will be 29 when I get out having served 4 yrs. I don't want to be turned down for being to old. Especially if they want me to have a 4 yr degree. I can only do one or the other. Do they favor Marines more then any other militay outfit or are they all looked at the same way. Ex( navy, airforce, coast guard, army ect.) I'f I join the navy i want to be a Navy Seal, who knows if that will happen but...It's worth a try. As far as the ASVAB test is considered what did it consist of?

[noelchabanel]

Having college or military experiece is ALWAYS a plus (assuming you got an Honorable Discharge). Many of the academy class I am going in with shortly are former Marines, as am I. There is no substitute for the experience you will get there, in my opinion. The military is a great place to mature and develop social skills. College is good also, but not having had done that when I was younger, I can't really comment on it.

Having done that when I was younger, I can say that some people find the new freedom of college a little too much to handle. You need to already have enough discipline to make good grades and sometimes say no to the party crew.


As for the military, you won't be turned down for being too old. I was recently all set to go to the NG at 31, but my medical history pulled the plug on that possibility. Truth be told, there are a lot of odd seemingly harmless conditions that can keep you out, and the older you are, the more likely a doctor is to have found one of them in you by now. The weird thing is: the conditions won't get you out if you are already in, they just keep you from enlisting in the first place. If you really want to join, I'd say do it now if your house is otherwise in order.

[manahmanah]

Well first of all, let me say, if you are going to join the military, ANY branch, join because you want to serve, NOT because you think it will help you with some other aspect of your life. I spent 8 great years as a US Marine and during that time ran into a few people that were miserable because they joined just to get money for the GI Bill, or to learn a trade, or this or that.

I think (I could be wrong) you get more of these complaints in the other branches of the armed forces because of the way they're marketed. The Marines don't promise you much more than the pride of being a Marine, and I think we attract, for the most part, a different type of person than the other branches because of that. I AM IN NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM knocking the other branches. I have plenty of friends that are patriots, from all branches of the armed forces, that have served honorably and continue to be productive citizens today.

I am just warning you about joining any branch of the military with pipe dreams of doing this or that, or being some kind of superhero before checking out all that is involved with making such a serious commitment.

You will be FAR from being too old at 29 to be a cop. In fact, I think that is generally a pretty good age to begin a career in law enforcement as you will have had plenty of life experience by then. Good luck.

[DeltaV]

Well first of all, let me say, if you are going to join the military, ANY branch, join because you want to serve, NOT because you think it will help you with some other aspect of your life. I spent 8 great years as a US Marine and during that time ran into a few people that were miserable because they joined just to get money for the GI Bill, or to learn a trade, or this or that.

+1. The people who are miserable because they joined for the wrong reasons are also more apt to have problems which could lead to something other than an honorable discharge (which would basically end your chances of being hired in LE).

It's next to impossible anymore to get hired by a decent law enforcement agency without either college education, military experience, or both.

[RedandBlue84]

I agree...I'm not doing this as a stepping ladder to a career. I'm doing this because I really want to help and make a difference. I want to be taken seriously and with that said I need to make the right choices to show that I am very commited. Amoungest other reasons, I truley believe that the training will be great for me. Joing the Branch is not a joke and yes...people join with the hopes of gaining credit or shall I say "Brownie Points" In no-way shape or form is that my attitude. Currently I'm attending school for Criminal Law, however; going to school does not make me a beter cadidate in my eyes. Serving my country does, and I have to look at myself and say "Who would I hire, a school grad, or someone with great experiance and strong commitment."

[Laww]

Your opinion is highly appreciated. My only concern is that I'm 24 now and will be 29 when I get out having served 4 yrs. I don't want to be turned down for being to old. Especially if they want me to have a 4 yr degree. I can only do one or the other. Do they favor Marines more then any other militay outfit or are they all looked at the same way. Ex( navy, airforce, coast guard, army ect.) I'f I join the navy i want to be a Navy Seal, who knows if that will happen but...It's worth a try. As far as the ASVAB test is considered what did it consist of?

I will be attending the academy at the ripe old age of 37. I WISH I was only 29....as does my body. I still can't figure out how I used to drink until 2am on base then get up at 5am and do 3-5 mile beach runs....:confused:

:D

[RedandBlue84]

That't brutal... I don't know how you did it. I was thinking about applying to North Carolina State Police, Once I'm out. 37 huh, wow... how did you do on the Power test? Also how long did it take you to actually get picked up by a department.

[Roger Dat]

We've all been turned down by departments, its a the nature of the beast, make yourself more competitive any way you can.

[RedandBlue84]

When you say, "make yourself more competitive any way you can" I'm assuming that you are talking about experiance and schooling. I went to the Marines recruitment office yesterday and spoke with them. I think im going to serve 4 yrs, then finish my degree while enlisted and then start trying again. I want to take all the nessecary steps to ensure that I'm a well qualified candidate.

[Roger Dat]

Be well aware that in todays political climate there is a good chance you will play in the sandbox and experience combat. Make sure this is something you are sure you want and can handle. Any type of discharge from the military other then honorable is going to screw your chances.

Also I myself am not a veteran however I believe that most find it extremely difficult if not impossible to complete their degree while serving. Other members can clear that up better then I.

[Laww]

That't brutal... I don't know how you did it. I was thinking about applying to North Carolina State Police, Once I'm out. 37 huh, wow... how did you do on the Power test? Also how long did it take you to actually get picked up by a department.

Not long at all, got accepted at 2 of the 3 I applied for. My mindset is, you can accomplish anything if you set your mind to it (and have no DQs ;)) I've wanted it for quite awhile and now that I have a great supoort system in place (a.k.a. my wife) I feel that I can accomplish anything I set my heart on.

Best of luck to you.

[RedandBlue84]

I expected that, as I did not think I would be sitting on the side lines. I could also join the Navy as an MP as well. I can get a lot of my schooling done while on the boat and my family can be stationed anywhere I am. Joining the branches is not a "sit back and reap the benefits program" I have had many conversations with my wife and she supports me as I support her. As far as being able to handle it, all I can say is that one I will never know if I don't try two, I don't think anyone is prepared for war mentally, it's more fighting for survival and learning how to be tactical.

[bell4fan]

Talk to all branches. The branch has to fit you. Marines, as said above are a diffrent breed. Not in a bad way, by any means, but its just one of those things.

And you dont have to be a MP to be more competive. I worked in an engine room on an aircraft carrier, and was hired my first time up. They just like military.

Also, whatever department you are applying to, check their basic requirements. For example, Texas Highway Patrol requires 90 semester hours, but can be waived w/ 3 years of military service. However, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, requires a bachelor's degree, and is not waived by military service.

I would also say, stay away from the national gaurd, or any reserve for that matter. The pay is not that great for a drill weekend ( you might bring home $100 starting out). Just go full active, the new GI bill is awesome, gives ya over $80,000 in benefits, and you will gain much more experience being active.

If you have any ???'s regarding the Navy, let me know. Im a recruiter for one more week(hell yes, I cannot wait to be done) so I can answer any navy ??'s ya may have, w/o the hassle of dealing w/ a recruiter and the phone calls, etc.