I feel I need to rephrase my question for my daughter she's up for reenlistment in the marines and?

Question

she is 21 years old and has asked me to see what her opportunities are on the outside as a civilian are in the job market . She wanted to become a police officer . And I felt that eight years in the marines would give her a lot more opportunity of getting a higher paying job . Than 4 years in the marines would . I know she must make her own mind up . But it's a tough decision not knowing if she could find a job on the outside as she has bills that come each month if any one knows of an employer looking for a very hard working woman with a good head on are shoulders that has for years in the marines under her belt I would like to pass this information onto her to help her make her own decision .as I know it's hard to make a decision without knowing the opportunities that are out there. so if anyone can help me with this it would be greatly appreciated . from a father who only wants to give the best advice he can to his daughter . he's so proud of .

Answer 1

I agree spending 4 more years in the marines wont help her chances any more. The only way it could is if she had a job that she was trying to get into in the civilian world that was equivalent to what she does in the Marines. One advantage to staying in 4 more years is to milk the military for some free education. If she is close to a degree she could finish it up before she gets out or at least get close to finishing it. She should check with her education office about that.

Answer 2

4 years, 8 years. If she wants a police job, it would be hers. Many police officers are former military. The pay would be more, but then again, so would the expenses.

I don't think there would be a huge civilian pay advantage for an additional 4 years of military service though. Heck, do 8 years, you might as well just do 12 more and retire! That's why I got out of the Navy after 6. I didn't want to spend my whole life in the military...and each reenlistment makes it all that more enticing.

Answer 3

The number of police agencies that currently hire without a college degree is very low, and dropping quickly. For liability reasons, more and more agencies are looking for police academy graduates with college degrees.

So... If she has a college degree, the 4 years of experience should help her out a lot. If she doesn't have a degree, I recommend she re-up for another four, and get her 2-year degree through the military's online Community College system. At that point, with a degree and 8 years, she could very feasibly be hired by a department PRIOR to completing the police academy, which can be spendy. Some departments even pay the cost of the academy and the recruit's salary during their time at the academy.

The best of police agencies are requiring a 4-year degree. So, if she has a 2-year degree and really wants to take her career in law enforcement through the detective or management level, she should get that other two years under her belt before trying to hire in. As for her degree, it can really be anything.. but they like to see a Criminal Justice emphasis... and she REALLY needs to have good writing skills. That's the primary concern... that she can write a report that will stand up in court and not embarrass her department.

Answer 4

There are cities all across the country that are really hurting to find good candidates. She does need to do her research before she gets out on the police hiring process for the departments she is interested in working for. I know you must do a phsyc evaluation, background check, drug tests, police academy, phyical exam and endurance test. She needs to get details on each area. She may have something in her past or from her time in the Marines that will keep her from being a cop. AND if one ciry says no to hiring her, she needs to disclose that on her next application in another city. In many cases that no hire will keep her from ever getting a job as a police officer. Becoming a police officer is a very long and drawn out and weird process. She needs to know what she is getting into before jumping out of the Marines.