Military and older age

[74elko]

I've been looking to get into law enforcement for as long as I can remember. I thought I had it all figured out when I saved up enough money to take 6 months off of work to sponsor myself for a police academy and then start applying to local police departments. At the same time I've felt the want and need to serve my country by joining the military. I've been set on joining the National Guard, but am concerned I may be too old to pursue law enforcement if I were to enlist for 3 or 6 years. I'm 24 now and will be 28-30 years old before going to IRR at which point I'd start applying for LEO positions. So my question is, would I be too old to be competing against younger applicants which may be applying for the same position? Or would I be better off attending a police academy and start applying now?
Many thanks in advance!

[BoJackUSMC]

No, most department likes to hire late 20's or mid 30's because they are still young and have some life experience under their belt.

[Spyder]

Some of the best recruits, who turned into phenomenol officers, went through my academy in their 30's, one in particular in his early 40's.

[P5Ret]

I know more than a few guys who started in their 30's. Just keep yourself in decent shape. Hell I had a trainee that was in his late 40's. Had left LE for a different career, didn't like it and came back. Had to start all over again because he had been gone for about 10 years. Full academy, all testing the whole bit, did fine, better than most of the 20 something year old's in the academy.

[Caddis]

Being older will work to your advantage during the hiring process. Mention it during your interviews as recruiters are not allowed to ask your age.

Liability is a major concern during the selection process and maturity and life experience generally reduces liability exposure because of better decision and critical thinking skills. Older recruits based on the numerous I have trained follow instructions and handle criticism better than some (not all but most) of the younger fellows I've trained and worked with.

[Petro6golf]

What everyone else said. Your head is in the right place. Follow your dreams

[WyattandDoc]

Your desire to serve your country is most admirable and I would NEVER try to talk you out of it. But, another thing to consider is finances. Run the numbers on what your pension will be under both your scenarios. The earlier you hire on, the earlier you will get to retire.

Don't forget to run the numbers with what benefits you will get from the Armed Services as well. I hate to interject money when talking about service to your community and country, but its reality.

[IrishJoe3]

I did both, and still do. Guard/Reserves and law enforcement simultaneously is doable

[Eric B]

I did 12 years active duty and applied when I was 30. I was at the top of my academy selection. They/We prefer someone with some maturity and life experience. Just don't blow out your knees, ankles, etc...

[IA300]

I went through at 27 and did pretty well top 5 in the class. Also did well in FTO program. One of the things I repeatedly heard from my FTO's was my life experience helped me.
I have since been the FTO that has trained both older and younger. I noticed the older more mature officers brought more to the table in citizen/suspect contacts.

[FLIGHT762]

I Joined the USMCR @26 Y/O. I was hired as a Police Officer @ 27 Y/O ( actually came out first in my Academy class). I did my 4 year commitment during my Police probationary period. It worked out fine. I had a great Police career and retired 5 years ago after about 29 years of service. I would do it all over again.

If you are thinking about this @ 24 Y/O, DO IT. You will regret it later if you don't. I haver a close friend who didn't get any military experience when he was young and at 60 years old, he regrets it.

I believe it is better to be hired as a Police Officer in your late twenties / early thirties.

Too many guys want to be hired at 21 Y/O and have little to no life experience.

[micro911]

LASD has no age limit. I know personally that someone in their 50's go to academy and graduate.

[veejay]

Another option is to join the military with a career path that will help towards your ultimate goal as a LEO.

Enlist in the Navy as a Master at Arms, get training and experience, take some off duty criminal justice courses on the Navy's dime, after 4 years reenlist or get out and find a career in law enforcement at 29-30.

[retired]

I was 26 when I went thru and one of my fellow platoon members was the same age. I wouldn't be surprised if there were others our age or older.

There was also police officer from an L.A. County police agency who had been a reserve for years with them and entered the academy at 52 as a full time officer. He served as a full time officer for that dept. until retirement age and from what I was told, did a great job.

Go for it.

[Spyder]

I agree with everyone here. If you're interested in doing military service, do it. I don't regret not going in, but I did think about it a lot. Because of my size, all of the recruiters I talked to said that it would be difficult for me to get in. I don't fit in a tank, a humvee, or anywhere but the cargo area of a chinook, and I sure as hell couldn't hang out on a boat.

We even had one guy in my academy that was 51 or something. He ran circles around most of us young guys, and is now an excellent officer, pilot, and mentor for the young'ns.