Air Force SF, SFO, SIO

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I was a Military Policeman in the Marines. We did patrolling and wrote tickets. I arrested robbery and rape suspects so you do police work. Investigate traffic accidents and tasks similar to law enforcement in any city in the USA.

Most people and even some Veterans have no ideal what MPs. A good example is "Guard Duty". In the Marines, bases that had flight lines, will post a Marine for an overnight shift guarding planes. That Marine was not an MP but a mechanic, admin clerk or a weatherman who was posted with a shotgun.

That start in the Marines lead me to a career in law enforcement. Having been an FTO I noted most police trainees were better equipped for that career if they had a military background. JMHO

Even having served myself, I usually refrain from commenting about what other MOS's do each day. Especially since Uncle Sam is very prone to repurpose people for whatever mission is on the plate. All kidding aside, I did a lot of different duties, some MOS related, many that were not. I take your input on face value since it is first hand. I can't help but wonder if some of these other postings are just rehashings of things heard from other people with no basis in truth or first hand experience.

[Che762x39]

Even having served myself, I usually refrain from commenting about what other MOS's do each day. Especially since Uncle Sam is very prone to repurpose people for whatever mission is on the plate. All kidding aside, I did a lot of different duties, some MOS related, many that were not. I take your input on face value since it is first hand. I can't help but wonder if some of these other postings are just rehashings of things heard from other people with no basis in truth or first hand experience.

Bobby good point. In Japan I did 90 days in 'Special Services' so I was a garbage collector. No MOS for garbage collector but it was better than being on 'mess duty'.

[gunfever]

I was USAF Security Police 1971 thru 1975. When I went in they had just split the Security Police into two groups, Law Enforcement and Security. Security were the guys who secured the Missile sites and walked the "ramp" on the Flight lines securing the aircraft Law Enforcement worked the Gates (entry points to the base) and did patrol. Yes, we handled everything civilian police handled, but of course on a more rinky dink level. Now they have once again changed the name and now call them Security Forces. Seems they have rejoined Law Enforcement and Security back into one unit. When I was new I worked the Main Gate to Davis-Monthan (SAC at that time) many times. They now have civilian security guards working the gate. Too lowly a position for the new Security Forces I assume. I was discharged from Luke outside Phoenix in 1975, jobs were scarce then. I finally found work at Pinkertons Security working a trucking gate, signing in and out big rigs for $1.65 an hour. I was mortified, believe me. From Sgt in USAF to this !!! 5 years later I joined a large West Coast Department. Did 4 years as a law enforcement specialist help? Yes I believe it did. Obviously that applies IF you become a civilian law enforcement type. I also started my own Security Company, supplying Security Guards to Malls, Offices, etc. Was very successful. I had plenty of experience. Did USAF Security Police help there, yes, I believe it did. I was looking for guards for a new Security contract and had an applicant who listed on his application that he was right out of the Army and was ranked "expert" in Hand Grenade throwing !!!!! Wife and I got a good laugh out of that. Morale of this story is this, to some degree military experience helps in future employment but only to a point, and I dont believe it helps a whole lot, in some cases not at all. Overall its a good experience for a young person who needs direction and will instill confidence and self control

One guy above wrote that being in the Security Police is a waste of 4 years. He suggest your friend go in Medical or UAV. Thats fine and dandy. You can put your REQUEST for a certain job in when you join, but thats about it. Its a REQUEST, and only a request. There is no promises. So when you join at the end of Boot Camp you will go into the career field they place you in, period. I put in a REQUEST to be an Aircraft Traffic Controller, did I become one, hell no !!!! I suppose you could be placed as a Cook, then after your four years you could maybe become an assistant manager at McDonalds. Or be lucky enough to go into Medical, as he suggest, and you could empty bed pans at General Hospital after your 4 years are up. As for UAV related MOS, good luck on that one, you have a better chance winning the Mega Lotto. And those are the brutal facts.

If I had to do it all over again, I would only go in as an Officer. OR, if that were not possible (I was 18 when I joined) then I would spend those 4 years in getting myself a College Degree, there were guys who did it, I wasnt one and did not do it till later. That sounds like a plan to me..........and I dont mean a degree in any Liberal Arts garbage,but a degree that will give you a career and make you money

[code_blue]

Thanks, folks. The kid is a 3rd year in HS right now, rather he just finished his 3rd year and will be a senior this coming school year. I suggested that he apply for local agency volunteer or cadet programs for the summer and possibly carry over through graduation.

I did give him the age-old advice that it is not a bad idea to attend college and finish his bachelors since it is the gateway to any state or federal law enforcement position and it is the equivalent to what a HS diploma used to be in weight.

Regardless, I told him that whatever he decided should be of his own accord and I would support his decision. I did joke and tell him that he should consider becoming a firefighter.

[Che762x39]

... I put in a REQUEST to be an Aircraft Traffic Controller, did I become one, hell no !!!! I suppose you could be placed as a Cook, then after your four years you could maybe become an assistant manager at McDonalds. Or be lucky enough to go into Medical, as he suggest, and you could empty bed pans at General Hospital after your 4 years are up. As for UAV related MOS, good luck on that one, you have a better chance winning the Mega Lotto. And those are the brutal facts.

If I had to do it all over again,

My daughter was ATC. Its all about if you have an aptitude for aviation. My aptitude was law enforcement so I was an MP and then a career in civilian law enforcement.

Now in 20/20 hindsight lots of people were be better off with serving 20 years in the military.

[Che762x39]

... Regardless, I told him that whatever he decided should be of his own accord and I would support his decision. I did joke and tell him that he should consider becoming a firefighter.

I was a Field Training Officer for seven years. I had a trainee who at 21 and after receiving a bad evaluation told me he wanted to be a cop since he was 12. But his ideal and reality was 180 degrees off. He never made it.

Nothing wrong with firefighter and everyone loves them. People with thin skin do not do well as police officers.