Posted on Jul 28, 2018
How is the life of being a law enforcement officer while in the Reserves or National Guard?
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If I decide not to go active duty when I reenlist and instead go reserves or national guard, I plan on becoming a police officer and hopefully a federal agent one day. I know both of those things can be difficult to get into, but I'm a planner so I like to try and know as much as I can before I make any decisions.
For those of you who are currently serving part time, and are in a law enforcement position full time, or even know someone who's doing so: I know it's not easy, but is it truly that difficult? How do the schedules work and do they often conflict? Do you feel your current military service has helped, hindered, or not affected your law enforcement career? Did you join the military first or the law enforcement position?
Any information that you could provide about this topic as a whole, regardless of if I asked about it or not, would be greatly appreciated. Other First-Responders or demanding jobs such as Firefighters and EMTs who have insight are also welcome to say so, as I know your schedules can be just as hectic.
For those of you who are currently serving part time, and are in a law enforcement position full time, or even know someone who's doing so: I know it's not easy, but is it truly that difficult? How do the schedules work and do they often conflict? Do you feel your current military service has helped, hindered, or not affected your law enforcement career? Did you join the military first or the law enforcement position?
Any information that you could provide about this topic as a whole, regardless of if I asked about it or not, would be greatly appreciated. Other First-Responders or demanding jobs such as Firefighters and EMTs who have insight are also welcome to say so, as I know your schedules can be just as hectic.
Law Enforcement
Reserves
Police
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 7
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When I left active duty I went to the reserve and joined the police department. My military discipline and other skills learned in the military helped make the transition to civilian law enforcement easy for me.
It can be difficult at times, most rookie cops work nights and weekends, so when you have your battle assembly weekends the time change will suck, but it is manageable.
I work for a big city department so when my unit deployed it was no big deal for the city to let me go for a year ... I have heard stories from others who were from small departments or agencies that frowned upon their reserve service... So keep that in mind when you are deciding what department to join.
It can be difficult at times, most rookie cops work nights and weekends, so when you have your battle assembly weekends the time change will suck, but it is manageable.
I work for a big city department so when my unit deployed it was no big deal for the city to let me go for a year ... I have heard stories from others who were from small departments or agencies that frowned upon their reserve service... So keep that in mind when you are deciding what department to join.
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MAJ (Join to see)
Most big cities are hiring all the time, I know Dallas is. Pay is usually lower in the big cities but the experience you get on the street is invaluable and not something that can be replicated easily.
Good luck and be safe.
Good luck and be safe.
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I was in the Army reserves 6 years became a police officer. I was out the military 7 years and during that time I got into law enforcement. I loved both or my careers so I recently join the guard this year and is deployed now. I LOVE doing both and if it wasn't for the military then I wouldn't have two great careers I CAN ENJOY. the military trump my law enforcement schedule but I would not give it up for nothing.
WHat state are you in the guard?
what state do you want to do law enforcement in?
Are you the right age also and also get some college credits while you are waiting to become a police officer.
WHat state are you in the guard?
what state do you want to do law enforcement in?
Are you the right age also and also get some college credits while you are waiting to become a police officer.
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PVT Toby Poole
Texas for the first 2 answers Sgt, and while I'm not currently of age, I am enrolled in school and studying Criminal Justice so that by the time I am of age, I will have met the education requirement for the departments I will be applying for as both of them require some higher education.
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When I was in the National Guard I was a police officer. The first thing I would say is that you should be more concerned about the present. You are a PVT and you should focus on your career first and advancing it rather than the next 4 years. Just like in military planning we have the Long Range and Short Range Calendars. When you have a long term plan you need to work backward with it all the way back to today. What can you do this week to work toward that goal. You can't have directions with no movement.
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