If you are interested in one of the federal intelligence agencies (including FBI), becoming a commissioned officer in the military right out of college is a fantastic idea. Military service knocks out job requirements, you'll get at least a secret clearance, your world will be a little larger, you'll have proven that you're ready for responsibility, etc. Many of the case officers and special agents you meet will have come from the ranks of the military, almost always the officer corps.
The Air Force is military in name only. I'm joking, but not really. Unless you are an aviator or military intelligence, good luck catching on with one of the heavy hitting federal agencies when you're competing against other military officers who can detail genuine leadership responsibilities from their tours.
CaptainTuttle262 wrote:
New Officers make around $38000 per year, + housing allowance + food, which probably gets you in the neighborhood of $50, 000 before taxes. That isn’t too bad for a new college grad. There are CU Boulder engineers grads that can’t grab that. I recommend graduating college, joining the Air Force as an officer, get some great experience, a high level security clearance, and possibly get a nice career and a retirement. Air Force is more corporate engineering world than the other branches and you are generally treated better. There are great travel benefits, too, which really a huge military benefit along job security.
This is a solid answer, and probably the right one. First, nothing wrong with the military and law enforcement. You will hear a lot of crazy comments about the risks, current state of military bla, bla - each one has a point, but you knew that already. Risks are obviously there, but you are stepping up for the country, and you get a chance to do things at a young age not normally available. Second, going in as a college grad makes you in high demand both as an officer candidate and for the specialty you go in for. The military will also pay for your grad school - let's say law school given your ba. Make sure you meet with the recruiters and thoroughly investigate the programs available, so you make an informed choice and hopefully get the best opportunity. When you leave the military, you can continue as a reserve and then tag on a nice pension for your retirement. Make sure you tell them if you are interested in languages, foreign diplomacy, tech, programming etc. as these can be the best postings/fields. As Captain Tuttle notes, in the end the air force is usually the best route for the educated candidate. Lastly, the corporate world also looks favorably on a 30yr old with military experience, so you are by no means on a dead end street. Good luck!
I'm not liberal at all. I'm completely independent. I have lived in foreign prehistoric cultures (black skinned people) and there was no crime whatsoever. In fact they don't even have the mindset. This indicates that culture determines behavior. If blacks in the US were treated like whites then the culture would change for the better. You agree with that. That's the key. Spread the word. Do your part. It doesn't take much but once everyone's doing the culture changes.
It's definitely going in that direction. In fact last year I was stopped by the police walking home in the early morning. I was little apprehensive but all the policeman wanted to know was if I was ok. He only cared about my safety. Years ago he would have made me produce identification and had an attitude that I might be up to no good. Everyone does a tiny bit of good then the whole culture changes for the good.
"If blacks in the US were treated like whites then the culture would change for the better. "
Your liberal religion prevents you from assigning primary responsibility to people if they are black. All of their self-inflicted problems MUST be the fault of white people.
You have such a poor understanding of black people that you even think that treating violent thugs like gentlemen will encourage them to change their behavior.
You display the same mentality that is ruining every big city in America. Don't hold criminal classes of people accountable. Just pretend they are normal and pretend that they will change if you just enable their criminality enough.
I got out of the army last year. Here’s my perspective/advice:
1. If you eventually want a job with a 3 letter agency, get a job in the military (whichever branch you want) that will get you a TS clearance. By signing up for the TS -associated job the military will pay for the whole TS application process, and when you decide to leave the service you have a HUGE leg up on other applicants for your government job of choice. Your best bet job wise is to go intel. They are highly competitive though, especially for officers. Your academic success in college plays a big role in what branch options you have as an officer.
2. You probably won’t deploy. And if you do it’ll be FOB ops and f***ery. Could be a good or bad thing depending on personal preference.
3. It’s peacetime right now. IMO we haven’t been at war for years. Afghanistan is an occupation, not a war. Peacetime military gets real dumb real quick. If you have higher aspirations than the military, use it as a stepping stone and don’t get weighed down too much by the nonsense. In 4-6 years you’ll look back and be glad you did it, but also glad you don’t have to do it ever again.
joalturn wrote:
I got out of the army last year. Here’s my perspective/advice:
1. If you eventually want a job with a 3 letter agency, get a job in the military (whichever branch you want) that will get you a TS clearance. By signing up for the TS -associated job the military will pay for the whole TS application process, and when you decide to leave the service you have a HUGE leg up on other applicants for your government job of choice. Your best bet job wise is to go intel. They are highly competitive though, especially for officers. Your academic success in college plays a big role in what branch options you have as an officer.
2. You probably won’t deploy. And if you do it’ll be FOB ops and f***ery. Could be a good or bad thing depending on personal preference.
3. It’s peacetime right now. IMO we haven’t been at war for years. Afghanistan is an occupation, not a war. Peacetime military gets real dumb real quick. If you have higher aspirations than the military, use it as a stepping stone and don’t get weighed down too much by the nonsense. In 4-6 years you’ll look back and be glad you did it, but also glad you don’t have to do it ever again.
Avoid the infantry. Where do you think all the homeless vets come from.
Also, military recruiters will lie through their teeth. Alan can back me up on this. Get what they promise you IN WRITING.
Why not go into Military Police MP if you want to be in law enforcement.
certified idiot wrote:
I'm majoring in political science with a minor in criminal justice. My general plan is to work for the federal government after college (FBI, Homeland Security, etc.), then eventually state/local government on the side. I thought about enlisting before going to college but decided against it for several reasons. The main reason I'm asking is because it's a lot easier to get a good job in law enforcement with military service on your resume. Has anybody done this before? A lot of the people I've talked to got their degree after their service.
Yeah it's usually a bad idea because all war is pathetic and low IQ.
Almost as low of an IQ level as the NFL and UFC.
The branches recruit enlisted members through recruiters while officers go through Officer-Selection-Offices (OSO). If you are a college kid do NOT set foot in a recruiting office, ever. Enlisted recruiters are incredible liars, lower than car salesmen.
The entire officer selection process, officer candidate schools, are entirely separate from the enlisted side, and you should only ever talk to and/or set foot in an OSO.
I just joined the Navy and am going the crypto route. I had a pretty good experience with my recruiter. I scored in the 90s on my asvab and got everything in writing. Perhaps I got lucky with mine, but not all recruiters are shitbags. I also graduated college last year btw
Do not enlist. Become an officer.
office worker wrote:
Do not enlist. Become an officer.
I have a degree. I enlisted. I enjoy it. All depends on your job and what you like doing. The degree makes enlisted promotions far easier.
There aren’t any “real” deployments anymore. That being said I have no deployments in my 8.5 yrs.
The Army is switching back to its pre-9/11 focus of “readiness” and “near peer” conflict. The next big deployment surge will be like OIF 1, no FOBs.
Recruiters want your signature. That’s it. If it’s not on paper it doesn’t exist.
Alan
If your goal in life is to shoot people than the military>Law enforcement path is a great choice.
killing people is fun wrote:
If your goal in life is to shoot people than the military>Law enforcement path is a great choice.
I’ve never shot anyone. Most people in the military/law enforcement never do.
Alan
certified idiot wrote:
I'm majoring in political science with a minor in criminal justice. My general plan is to work for the federal government after college (FBI, Homeland Security, etc.), then eventually state/local government on the side. I thought about enlisting before going to college but decided against it for several reasons. The main reason I'm asking is because it's a lot easier to get a good job in law enforcement with military service on your resume. Has anybody done this before? A lot of the people I've talked to got their degree after their service.
Go to OCS, become an Officer, and then apply for flight training to become a Pilot. Stay in the Air Force 25 years then retire, most likely you will be a Lt. Colonel or Bird Colonel at that time. You will still be in your mid 40s, then go to work for a major Airline and fly for them until you retire, at that time you will be drawing two nice pensions.