Thinking about the USMC

[bubbagump]

ok, i have wanted to be a cop since i can remember, but i hear from more and more people that now they are looking for people with a military type background. so i'm thinking joining up will give me the experience they are looking for and also give me a chance to serve my country. anyone heard something similar about police departments/sheriff departments?

also i heard that if you go infantry its almost a surefire way to get into a law enforcement career

anyways just looking for any insight on my idea/plan

You don't need military experience or a degree to be a cop.

I've been a volunteer at one PD and a part-timer at another PD. I've known a lot of cops and alot of wannabe cops (some that made it and some that didn't make it). I've also known a lot of young and old veterans who wanted to be or are cops.

My .02

[KALIDAWG8996]

The Unit

Really?

You mean to tell me that every Marine is capable of a static line/freefall/halo insertion into a forgein country, link up with an indiginous force, speak the local language and proceed to conduct operations to destroy a large percentage of an enemy force with a team of 8 to 12 personel? Thats pretty hardcore.

Dont get me wrong, Marines are good at what they do, they just cant and dont do what other branches do. Things that are reserved for "elite" Marine units (Force recon/Marsoc) are things that the Army does as an everyday job, aside from the things that the "elite" units do.

You have been watching too much of "The Unit" on UPN 13! LOL.

[DBK]

no doubt. in the army you are handed your pretty nice uniform. in the marine corps you have to earn it

Well, that's one of the less intelligent things I've seen posted on this forum with regards to the seemingly endless Army/Marine debate. That coupled with the asinine "you went Army because you couldn't handle the Corps" crap makes you guys all look like real winners. Way to go!

[TH1212]

[Marine oifvet]

Hey OP if you want to join the Marines I say do it. I did four years and two combat tours in Iraq. I loved the Corps, and you will to. But one thing no one has said is that you should really think about it, and do it for the right reasons. Realize that if you go into the Marines and you are with a combat unit you will be deployed to one of two places. And yes, when you get out you should use the GI bill and go to school. Dont listen to this ArmyCav guy, the Marine Corps is an outstanding fighting force. We have alot of history, and so does the Army. But Our fighting history makes the Army look like boy scouts. Good luck with what ever you do. Any question just pm me.

[Desert_Rat]

Nothing wrong with the Corps.I loved it while I was in it,I love it now that I'm not in it.If You have what it takes to step up to those yellow footprints like so many before Us then do it.
Somebody said something earlier about misery,It's not misery,it's just known as the suck.You'll love it too if Your hearts in it.
If You can handle the challenge that comes with the following 4 years after stepping onto those yellow footprints,You'll be called Marine for the rest of Your life.All others call themselves Ex-Army,Ex-Air Force and Ex-Navy
Anyhooo,it's Your life.Don't put Yourself in a position to always "wonder,if only..."

[Grassninja]

How old are you? If you're already of age to become a LEO and are making progress on a college degree, stay that course. If you're young and just thinking about your options, then spending 4 years in the suck can't hurt your chances of getting a LEO job. These questions come up a lot, though I'm currently too lazy to expand upon additional points at this time.

Being a Marine is definitely not the easy route if you're just wanting to serve your country in some capacity, particularly if you want to be a grunt(shameless plug I know ).

www.terminallance.com You probably won't get the lingo, but some of his entries really hit the nail on the head when it comes to Marine Corps enlisted life. If any of you other devildogs haven't checked that site out before, I think you'll definitely get a few laughs in if you do!

[darkjedi351]

ok, i have wanted to be a cop since i can remember, but i hear from more and more people that now they are looking for people with a military type background. so i'm thinking joining up will give me the experience they are looking for and also give me a chance to serve my country. anyone heard something similar about police departments/sheriff departments?

also i heard that if you go infantry its almost a surefire way to get into a law enforcement career

anyways just looking for any insight on my idea/plan

When i applied for the chp, military service was a automatic 5 points toward your final score. i could of used it too. military service can only help your chance of becoming a LEO but if your in school keep that course as they like having college grads nowadays(more money too).
ventura college has a great sheriff's reserve program.

[darkjedi351]

college doesn't appeal to me, at all. i have been out of school for nearly two years now and dont plan on going back. the marine corps however peaks my interest in a much better way to spend 4 years of my life and move me more towards my goals than college does. also to do my part as a patriot to preserve the American way of life and do my time

plus you get to go to great foreign countries, meet new and exciting foreign poeple. AND KILL THEM.
my grandfather was a marine and he would always say "once amarine always a marine" don't forget no matter what your job may be, when the sh*t hits the fan you're a rifleman first, trained to fight and kill. They program you.

[J_B]

Seems most of my fellow Marines here are/were grunts etc. Me? Just a lowly Motor T guy assigned to 3rd Mar Div. I missed my ship date as 0311 due to a severaly sprained ankle that cause my recruiter to bout sheeat his trousers. I wasn't a super duper tacti cool Jarhead but I got my LEO job because of my service as a Marine.

My lil bro? 3 tours in Iraq, two w/1st Force...opened up his world when he was hired on as a city LEO. He's pretty much wanted on all kinds of cool alphabet teams.

Further more, I'm now in the Army Reserves. Yes, I HATE the beret and don't understand saluting in PT gear or the differant DnC but I didn't show up telling them the Marine Corps is better. I showed up humble and told them the Marine Corps made me a better person. I feel that the Reserves have allowed me to continue on the Corps' values by leading some of the soldiers the way I was taught as a Marine.

As for all the negative comments that have been thrown back and forth. Grow up, we're not boots fresh out of MCRD San Diego wearing our BCGs, black flight jackets w/a big ol Semper Fi patch on the back thinking you're the man......We're adults, Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Coasties. We are professionals so act like it.

AND you know some of you had that flight jacket thing and patches going on like it was the bomb diggity!!!

[KALIDAWG8996]

plus you get to go to great foreign countries, meet new and exciting foreign poeple. AND KILL THEM.
my grandfather was a marine and he would always say "once amarine always a marine" don't forget no matter what your job may be, when the sh*t hits the fan you're a rifleman first, trained to fight and kill. They program you.

??? Did your grandfather tell you all this information ???

[M47_Dragon]

AND you know some of you had that flight jacket thing and patches going on like it was the bomb diggity!!!

Mine is still in my closet! I was all patched out like a big dog! LOL.

[fquinonez]

Mine is still in my closet! I was all patched out like a big dog! LOL.

I've been out since '92 and mine still hangs proudly in my home. I love it when my kids ask me what a certain patch means and I have them look it up. Now they want to go and travel everywhere I have been!

[fquinonez]

TonyMang,
If the Corps is calling, I say, DO IT! I turned down college scholarships to enlist in the Marine Corps at 17. I see it as possibly the best thing I have ever done in my life. I learned to lead, work as a team, and worry about my fellow Marines before myself. These are all great traits that would serve you well as an officer of the law if the SHTF.

[not-fishing]

It's your choice but I had a buddy 40 years ago join the Air Force (security) to help him be a cop. It did help him get the job and with a lot less running.

That said my #2 son is a Marine (1/7 Grunt). His service will help a lot with college expenses when (and if) he doesn't continue. Now I seem to be hearing allot about "Mustangs" from him