Growing up I always figured that I would enlist in the military as soon as I got to be old enough. However, I met the girl I was to marry when I was 15 years old and the plan was derailed. I now have a pretty good job, (Very good for this area) but I have a strong desire to do something law enforcement/military/private military related. I would be willing to leave my current job for the right type of opening, but I am moreso considering doing something "part time", (paid or volunteer). Does anyone have any suggestions as to what kind of opening might be available for a fit 21 year old with no LEO or military experience? I look forward to any responses.
Jobs in the gun field
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af1acura
Member
national guard is about part time as it gets.
If you really just want a job that involves guns, I second the National Guard idea. I have a couple friends in the Michigan National Guard.
Police work has guns all around, but thats not by any means the focus of the buisness. The main focus of cops is keeping the peace, which in most places means 95% of the time bsing, and handing out traffic tickets which lead to the occasional court visit. The military fights wars. There is a big difference. Be sure what you want to do before you make any decisions.
Police work has guns all around, but thats not by any means the focus of the buisness. The main focus of cops is keeping the peace, which in most places means 95% of the time bsing, and handing out traffic tickets which lead to the occasional court visit. The military fights wars. There is a big difference. Be sure what you want to do before you make any decisions.
Abby
Member
Well, you can always get whatever certification is required to be a hunter's safety instructor in your state.
However, if you've always wanted to join the military, I'd advise you go ahead and do it. Otherwise it will turn into one of those things that kind of nags at you for years.
And - food for thought - anybody's personal politics aside - the National Guard and Reserve are NOT part-time jobs right now. Don't think of them that way. They're a good setup (I'm a reservist myself), but you can BET that at least once in your eight years of service, it will be a part-time gig that turns into a very very full time gig. Nothing wrong with that, but don't overlook it.
However, if you've always wanted to join the military, I'd advise you go ahead and do it. Otherwise it will turn into one of those things that kind of nags at you for years.
And - food for thought - anybody's personal politics aside - the National Guard and Reserve are NOT part-time jobs right now. Don't think of them that way. They're a good setup (I'm a reservist myself), but you can BET that at least once in your eight years of service, it will be a part-time gig that turns into a very very full time gig. Nothing wrong with that, but don't overlook it.
Michael Courtney
Member
The gun counter at most sporting goods stores is usually lacking someone knowledgable about guns.
Michael Courtney
Michael Courtney
Eleven Mike
Member
Abby is all over this one. You might be part time for a good while, but plan on some deployments before it's all said and done. If you wanna go serve your country in the sandbox, more power to you, but don't think it's just one weekend a month.
Get in touch with a gun club, range, or the NRA, and see if there's anything you can help with. This way, you get to do what you want, play with the guns that appeal to you, and you can quit whenever you get tired of it.
jobu07
Contributing Member
There's some good folks in Fairfax, VA, that are always in need of more good help too.
High Planes Drifter
Member
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Michael Courtney beat me to it. Working at the sporting goods counter in a Wolly World, Academy, etc. wouldnt be a bad idea. After getting your feet wet there for a little while you may get an opportunity to move to a local gun store. Of course if you've been wanting to join the military go for it.
orygunmike
Member
Reserve Police Officer?
years ago I had a friend who worked as a UPS Supervisor. At the age of 30 he decided to become a reserve cop. He went through the academy, and then worked as a reserve officer for a couple years while also working full time for UPS.
I work with a guy now who is a pretty well paid AS400 programmer/analyst. Along with his full time job, he has been moonlighting as a reserve officer for 10 years. He loves it.
Being a reserve cop gives you the stability of keeping your current job while providing you with real-life experience and insight into working as a police officer. If you don't like what you see, you can always walk away.
Of course...and I'm sure other guys here have more insight into this than I do, but I would think that getting military experience would help open the doors into law enforcement later on if you decide to go that route.
Also....how about becoming an NRA instructor? Getting certified is not too expensive or time consuming. Then you get to teach purdy young Annie Oaklys how to handle a blaster.
http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/instructor.asp
years ago I had a friend who worked as a UPS Supervisor. At the age of 30 he decided to become a reserve cop. He went through the academy, and then worked as a reserve officer for a couple years while also working full time for UPS.
I work with a guy now who is a pretty well paid AS400 programmer/analyst. Along with his full time job, he has been moonlighting as a reserve officer for 10 years. He loves it.
Being a reserve cop gives you the stability of keeping your current job while providing you with real-life experience and insight into working as a police officer. If you don't like what you see, you can always walk away.
Of course...and I'm sure other guys here have more insight into this than I do, but I would think that getting military experience would help open the doors into law enforcement later on if you decide to go that route.
Also....how about becoming an NRA instructor? Getting certified is not too expensive or time consuming. Then you get to teach purdy young Annie Oaklys how to handle a blaster.
http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/instructor.asp
'Card
Member
Army or Marine Corps reserve.
Bottom line? Your country needs your service.
Ask yourself this: If not people like you, then who? If not now, then when?
Bottom line? Your country needs your service.
Ask yourself this: If not people like you, then who? If not now, then when?
Hi,
I was looking for more of a career move than just having a job where I handled guns.
One thing I am looking at is go to Alaska to be a State Trooper. Definitley need to look into the cost of living aspect, but something like that would be very interesting. Anyone here from Alaska?
I was looking for more of a career move than just having a job where I handled guns.
One thing I am looking at is go to Alaska to be a State Trooper. Definitley need to look into the cost of living aspect, but something like that would be very interesting. Anyone here from Alaska?
JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone
Member
OK, there are Armoror apprentiships out there.
You've read about certifications for particular brands and models of firearms? Being a gunsmith is something I wish I'd have done when I was younger.
If I had it all to do again, I would start by going to a community college and educating in criminology. Then in spare time attend a vocational school in an engineering and Machinist program.
Every large municipality has a jobs like these:
http://www.careersingovernment.com/index.cfm?page=jobView&jobID=8547
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/riverside/default.cfm?action=viewclassspec&ClassSpecID=501
http://www.nps.gov/applications/digest/printheadline.cfm?type=Jobs&id=2323
The easiest step into Law Enforcement is probably as a Corrections Officer for the State, County or City. Jailer...
Another avenue is to be a U.S. Park Service Ranger. Or better yet, a good Ole Game Warden. Get some schooling first. You don't need to be a biologist to do this job. They're cops of the woods and waterways. Search for job requirements for 'Conservation Officer'. Go to your local community college to get information about training. In my area, they go through the same boot camp as the local Police and State Patrol.
Around here there aren't many opportunities to get a job as anything more than a meter maid in law enforcement unless you have a BA in Criminology. Most cops out in the northwest are pretty well edumucated. I don't know about Alaska.
Do you have more education than just Highschool?
-Steve
You've read about certifications for particular brands and models of firearms? Being a gunsmith is something I wish I'd have done when I was younger.
If I had it all to do again, I would start by going to a community college and educating in criminology. Then in spare time attend a vocational school in an engineering and Machinist program.
Every large municipality has a jobs like these:
http://www.careersingovernment.com/index.cfm?page=jobView&jobID=8547
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/riverside/default.cfm?action=viewclassspec&ClassSpecID=501
http://www.nps.gov/applications/digest/printheadline.cfm?type=Jobs&id=2323
The easiest step into Law Enforcement is probably as a Corrections Officer for the State, County or City. Jailer...
Another avenue is to be a U.S. Park Service Ranger. Or better yet, a good Ole Game Warden. Get some schooling first. You don't need to be a biologist to do this job. They're cops of the woods and waterways. Search for job requirements for 'Conservation Officer'. Go to your local community college to get information about training. In my area, they go through the same boot camp as the local Police and State Patrol.
Around here there aren't many opportunities to get a job as anything more than a meter maid in law enforcement unless you have a BA in Criminology. Most cops out in the northwest are pretty well edumucated. I don't know about Alaska.
Do you have more education than just Highschool?
-Steve
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