Prior Service(army) V.s. Law Enforcement(police,sheriff)

[echotoro]

I Am Prior Service And I Wanted To Know Which One Is Better, Army Or Law Enforcement? I Passed Both Tests And I Have Until The 13th Of January To Make A Decision. Any Advice Would Be Helpful.

[jarhead0202]

You didn't really give us much information to go off of, but that's alright!

In my opinion, it's not an apples to apples comparison. It's military vs. paramilitary. You're probably better off with the police life, since you don't move around, like in military life (even a chance to deploy in the Guard).

I'm assuming the pay's better as a Sheriff in your area, right? If you're single without kids than that's another story entirely!

My brother is a retired Oakland, CA police officer... He's made over $100K half a dozen times with overtime; the average year being around $80K (during the mid 90's and at the time of his retirement in the early 00's.

There's an inherant risk in both careers... Are you looking to save for your future and give back to your community?

Remember we don't join the military to get rich! Whether your an officer or otherwise military careers pay much less in comparison to civilian careers.

In the military, people are overworked and underpaid... They join the military for the love of their country, the desire to travel and for the excitement, etc. (at least that's why I joined).

Moreover, I don't know your situation, you might already be from California, though if I were you I'd take more tests in other areas, such as L.A., San Diego, CHP, Oakland, San Francisco, and with a lot of the major California Sheriff dept's, etc. If you have to make an immediate decision go for the Sheriff's dept. (if you have a wife and/or kids).

The reason I say California is because the police make more money in comparison to other areas and perhaps the money might be relative to the area... That's partially true, as NYPD cops (at least up until a few years ago only made approximately $28K to start.

Good Luck in your decision; I'm sure you'll make the right one!

[tow2topgun]

I have 6 years of prior service in the regular Army (Infantry) and nearly 5 years as a police officer (which I currently am). I must say both are fun and rewarding jobs but I could not say that one is "better" than the other. There were things in the Army that I hated and do not miss but on the other hand, I have experiences from the Army that I wouldn't trade for nothing. As for being a police officer, I feel as if this job is immediately rewarding. What I mean by this is, you get immediate fulfilment from this job. You witness a crime or go to a domestic violence call and you get to remove the "bad guy" from the situation through arrest. However, as for being a soldier you may never know what good you do. Just our forces being strong and ready keep us safer here in the US. If we had a small,weak, cowardly force then I feel that we would sustain more attacks from terrorist. So, you will have to find a balance in what you desire. I will tell you from experience, neither carrer will make you wealty, but I don't think "we" join or serve to become rich. It is a calling! Good Luck in your decision!!

[VTguard]

Why do you have to pick just one? Why not be a MP in the National Guard and be a cop in the civilian world? Many of the tasks are similar and many soldiers in the MPs or Infantry (and a bunch of other MOS for that matter) are also police officers in their civilian life.

[andrew.tischner]

As the SSG says above, the national guard offers a unique possibility of fullfilly both your dreams at the same time, Coming as a prior service you can keep your military benifits by joining the national guard as well as joining the police force.

[exvet]

IM in NYC, NYPD makes 33,000 after school up to 60,000 within 5 yrs, as for what is better I would probably chose police officer, better pay and if u have family, in the military u could get deployed and who knows when u get to see them again. also if u have family u dont wanna do both, when are u going to have time to spend with them, unlees u dont want to.

[plano2001]

But also keep in mind that most police, ESPECIALLY during that initial few years after finishing their training, will work the more unpopular shifts (overnight and holidays/weekends).

So while you may not be "deployed", you may face yourself working a lot of hours that keep you away from spending time with your family.

Personally, I'd agree with some above posters and just do both. Be a police officer, and also join the National Guard as an MP. Also, check with the human resources department of the police department. If it's local police, call the city. If it's sheriff, call the county. MANY cities and counties will provide some sort of military pay benefit while you go to training (basic/AIT/2 weeks per year/active deployment). This may be as simple as providing continuing healthcare coverage so you can avoid the expense of Tricare, or something more immediately beneficial such as paying you the difference between your regular pay and your military pay, or even paying you your regular pay IN ADDITION to your military pay. Depends on the city/county.

[andrew.tischner]

ok exvet what is with you and all your negative posts about getting deployed do you have some problem with the national guard?

[VTguard]

hey exvet-
you face just as much danger as a police officer every day as a typical deployed sodier. Deployments are dangerous, but so is issuing a high-risk warrant in a bad neighborhood. If you choose to serve your country and community as a police officer or soldier in the Army National Guard, you must understand the risks involved.

[exvet]

all im saying is that with the weird shift a police officer has, on top u gonna throw weekend warrior, when the family is supposed to spend time with u.

[NightStalker14]

hey exvet-
you face just as much danger as a police officer every day as a typical deployed sodier. Deployments are dangerous, but so is issuing a high-risk warrant in a bad neighborhood. If you choose to serve your country and community as a police officer or soldier in the Army National Guard, you must understand the risks involved.

My recruiter's brother is a cop.

He got shot up badly the other week. My recruiter actually left to go see him.

Danger either way.

[GAARNGSgt]

I'm former civilian law enforcement, and prior service Air Force. I'm currently with a Guard MP company. The vast majority of our MPs are civilian LEOs, be they State, County, or Municipal officers.

They don't seem to have any trouble balancing the drills and their shift work in their civilian jobs.

As stated in an earlier post, this isn't an apples to apples comparison. It depends on what level of service you want to provide to your State and Country.

And, like any career, if you're just doing it for the money, you're in the wrong field.

[AbnMtn]

I can see that some of us are going to be biased one way or the other, and if looked objectively, would bring up valid points and good advise to help answer the question. The bottom line is that there are three choices, all of which are inherently dangerous. But as mentioned many times, it's a calling, and although it may be a good idea to use your head to make this decision, it would probably come down to following your heart and gut feeling. I don't think you'll find any other two vocations as honorable as police and military work.