Army

[donnie999]

All who know,

I am thinkiing heavily on joining the Army to get law enforcement experience and help pay for my schooling. I am scared to be honest with you. I have never been a mile from my mother. I want to be a P.O. or a Fed and I want everything that is going to help me. What is your opinion. Currently I work for a communicatios company that probably supports some of your 911 systems. But I am not happy here cause its not what i want to do.

[TTRAIN222]

Well unless you become a PO in your hometown and they do their own academy you are going to have to leave sooner or later, especially if you decide to go Fed. I joined the Army a few months ago for the exact same reason: to gain military experience. I realized that having that experience will not only make be a better LE applicant, but will also teach me leadership, discipline, things that will help me in anything I might end up doing in life. I would say to get as much info as you can from people who have been in similar situations then make your decision.

[donnie999]

Thats exactly why. I want to get away and step out on faith. I want to join the Army to teach me leadership, discipline and so on. I know its probably going to be hard. Have you acquired the skills you were looking for.

[UN_Cop]

Train: You hit the nail right on the head.

Donnie: Grab your stones, kick open the door, and make entry. (Welcome to the world!)

You can do a lot worse than joining the military to enhance your chances for local, state, or federal law enforcement.

Now Young Grasshooper: School, school, and school. By the way did I mention "School". :D

Some may argue with me but the Feds love education, a few Fed groups will trade off experience for education but not always. Serious brother, get your degree. Nobody can ever take away your education.

Good luck and take care.
Robert

[TANKMGA8]

Dononie999,

In 1987 I was in your shoes, I wanted to be in LE but was a 18 year old wet behind the ears kid that had never done anything difficult in his life. I talked to a trusted friend and state police officer and he told me to join the military to get some life experience and then to keep my life clean.

I joined the Army and spent 10 years on active duty over two different enlistments. I was not ready to take the world by the horns the first time that I got out of the Army. I had wasted the chance to go to college the first three years I was in the Army. After 3 years out of the Army going to school and not being able to get hired by a department, I went back in.

I stayed 7 more years and got some more education and got out last year and less than 2 months after ETS I was working as a police officer.

The military will help you with all the things that you listed, but you have to do everything that you can to help yourself to. Stay out of trouble, know in the back of your mind that you are going to get out and be a police officer. Use the time in the military to grow and become a good person. Stay away from drugs and stay out of trouble. It will be diddicult for you but it will be the most fun you have ever had in you life if you allow it to be.

Sorry so long,

[Farrside]

Like TANKMGA8, I too was wet behind the ears after high school. Unlike many of my classmates, I really didn't have the desire or the funds to sit in a class room for 4 more years.

I elected to join the Army, basically because I wanted to go to Europe. I spent 8 years on active duty, taking part in Desert Shield/Storm with the 101st Airborne Division, two tours in Germany, a deployment in Bosnia/Croatia. Too much more to list. I did enjoy my time in though.

After I decided to separate from active duty, I had a calling to get into law enforcement. I've loved it ever since. I worked in Missouri as a deputy sheriff and as a municipal officer near Kansas City before getting hired in Dallas. I'm now in week 6 of a 32 week academy and enjoying it.

The military will instill discipline, leadership, etc. but you have to want those things.

Good luck in your journey.

[DJOHNSON954]

I say join and take advantage of every opportunity that is afforded to you and more. Go in knowing what your goals are. Keeping your goals in mind while you're away from home will get you through the tough times. There will be tough times trust me. I was 22 when i joined the Army, I had never spent any time away from home and family. Leaving was the hardest thing I ever had to do. Many of nights were spent thinking to myself "Why in the hell am I here". Then I reminded myself of my goals to become a better person professionally and personally and to become an LEO. I took advantage of everything I could. I went to every board I could and did everything like I was making the Army my career. I did my time got out and am now a Deputy Sheriff 6 months after my ETS. You can do it. Make the sacrafice. Good luck and let us know what you decide!

[lrsranger]

Joining the military is going to give you all thoose things like disipline, leadership skills, team work only if you work for it ,you will get what you earn out of the Army. I was in the Airborne infantry for 4 years and in that time went from pvt. to Sgt in 2 years because I worked my ass off. You will get what you want if you work for it. Also research what you want to do in the army before you jump into it.

[Doorman]

:bounce:

Good idea to join the Military. But In my own personal opinion, I would go to school and be in the Military. I suggest going into the Reserves or National Guard. I am in the National Guard. I get great training, good experience, and a lot of money towards college. It is a hectic life, but I not only get experience, but I can get my education as well!

Hope things work out!

Doorman

:p

[sherlock1]

There are many options available to you, but whichever one you choose consider secondary education, either full or part time. I currently have 20 years in the military, 13 with the Army CID. I have a variety of experiences from around the globe, and training in pertinent LE areas, and have earned by BA degree. Review qualifications for your desired area of LE, then target your long range goals. I assure you the need for a college degree is paramount, so don't put it off. If you join the military, take a vet with you to the recruiter. Choose you military specialty and try to get a college option. Good luck!