Michael, listen to the qoute from Denise,

 Quote:

All the services have law enforcement jobs and ignore the ribbing we are giving each other. Interservice rivalry has been going on for years and it is most always given in a good hearted brotherly way. Each service has its particular "unpleasantnest", joys and traditions. When you decide to enlist in whatever service, give it your best and you will do well.

Sorry to change the subject on you guys, but Michael could use some additional, correct advice. Forget about all the talk about the Army. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Join the A. F. You can be a K-9 handler, just like you can in other branches, but the A. F. will treat you better! You will start off for a few years as a Security Forces (SF) troop to get some experience under your belt. While doing this, you could perform different duties, ie: LE, security, counter sniper, Special Operations, ect. After you have been a normal cop for 3 years you can put in for K-9. Chris, Jeff and Chet are all good guys and soldiers, but join the A. F. If not, you'll be like one of the many Army guys that I hear saying that they should have joined the A. F. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Don't hate me Chris, Jeff and Chet, I just wanted to get in on the ribbing and interservice rivalry, and give the guy the correct advice. LOL

Michael, whatever decision you choose to make, enlisted or officer, and in whatever branch you decide to choose, the military is a great and honorable choice. Don't let your age discourage you. You won't be the only 30 years old guy there. Good luck in whatevere decision you choose to make and with the A. F. recruiter! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

How could I possibly hate someone who is willing, albeit unlikely, to stand in harms way for me? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Sure I will crap all over the Air Force, but I am sure that if I needed you to grab a rifle and follow me into the world of hurt, you would be there. It took me years after I got out to not despise "civilians" and their sloppy careless undisciplined ways. I will always hang with servicemen over them, because they don't really know the price we pay.

MICHEAL,
I am right next to OCS so I asked some questions today for you. The Army is now offering 11A (infantry officer) between 12-$16,000 bonuses for completing OCS and attending IOBC (infantry officer basic course). You will recieve the money upon being commissioned as a 2LT after OCS and before IOBC. Also after OCS You will be bringing in around 2K a paycheck after taxes, and their is a big pay jump from 2ndLT to 1stLT which comes quick and automatic. You'll be pulling in an easy 2,500 a paycheck after taxes. Most lawEnforcement officers have the same mentality as military, so it's probably a given you want to do something somehow for your country, I said that to say money isn't a motive when you are considering LE or military, but it's nice not to have to worry about can you pay your bills. Right now the military has been working for years trying to close the pay gap between civilian and Military, and this week, my eyes were opened big time to this fact. I applied and was selected for employment to the Macon, GA PD. Their K9 is hurting so bad, I was also, Identified as a K9 prospect by one of the sergeants doing my assessing. After just 6months of being off the FTO I have been told I would be allowed in the K9 program. I also, would be allowed to work my own dog provided he pass the USPCA certifcation and the head K9 officers internal certification (They really want my dog more than me <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> because they want dogs but can't afford them). They also, saw that it would save them money by not having to send me to a handler course since my service dog would be a dog that I trained myself, so whos going to tell me how to handler him right?, other than being trained internally about how to handle tactically during routine and not so routine situations. This all sounds like just what I wanted to do, and the opportunity has arisen, but after realizing I would be taking a $14,000.00 pay loss (and thats after they uped me a few grand for military experience) I have been forced to re-think how I choose to serve my country, on a community level or USA level, because I also have to serve a wife and 2 kids. Also, the military averages 2 pay raises a year. One given by congress, and the other for another year of service. They usually range anywhere from 3.1-5.0% pay raises each time, it's unfortunate (very) but LE doesn't get raises like that that frequent. I'd say right now and particularly in the last 5 years the govt has done a great job closing the pay gap. Right now in Columbus, GA where I live, a police officer with a masters degree makes $27,000 a year. He pulls over a married private right out of high school and he's making about 7K more than the officer. I have been at work all day saying, "I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M ACTUALLY THINKING OF STAYING IN THE MILITARY FOR THE MONEY", those are words I never thought I'd here myself say considering I only made $765 dollars a month (before taxes) when I first came in as a private 10yrs ago <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> just something to chew on <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Don't feel bad about the money, Chris - the amount of my first Army paycheck?
$91.
Ouuuccchhh......

Will, don't forget the 2 dollar extra for laundry. With that 90 bucks a month, I thought I was rich. Hell, cigaretts were only 2 dollars a carton.

Chris, How would they be used? I know next to nothing about small unit tactics on dry land. could they be used for tunnels and caves?

Dennis, My favorite squid, I mean my friend (OMG did I say that out loud! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> My guess is they will most likely use them as scout dogs like back in Nam. I see no other reason for them.

maybe they thought you guys needed a friend you could relate with, you know, eats garbage out of a green bag, bad breath and always trying to hump the nieghbors bitch <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

LOL,LOL,LOL,LMAO, ROTFLMMFAO!!!!!!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Good one!! LOL

Chris,
If you (or your family) don't have your heart set on staying in Georgia, law enforcement jobs out west pay better. My family lives in Tennessee and Georgia and I looked into going out there a few years ago....until I saw how much less police make out there and changed my mind.