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Calgunners in Service This forum is a place for our active duty and deployed members to share, request and have a bit of home where ever they are.

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  #1  
Old 11-16-2009, 10:15 AM
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Default Anyone USAF security forces or Navy master at arms?

Hey guys im considering joining the USAF or Navy doing law enforcement.. (security forces or master at arms) just curious if anyone on here was either of these and wouldn't mind me asking a few quick questions via pm.
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Old 11-16-2009, 10:43 AM
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I know/have a lot of info on USAF SF...

what are you wondering???
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Old 11-16-2009, 10:57 AM
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Check out Air Force Enlisted Forums (google it)

You'll find it's not really 'law enforcement' for the most part. People join up thinking it is, but you are a 'security guard' guarding planes for 14 hours a day. You DO get to carry an M4 while you are on duty.

If you pick overseas rather than domestic, you get TDY'd fairly often.

If you want something a bit more fun, look into Phoenix Raven. Apparently they know how to party.


(I'm not enlisted, this is just what I gathered from my research of wanting to join and become SF in the AF)

According to a couple of friends in the AF, one is a mechanic, other is in SF, the mechanic says that the SF are security guards and are the most hated group in the AF. The other who's in SF, says that it's the most boring job ever. He's also Domestic, so I could see why that is boring.

If you think it will give you experience in LE, then join up, overall, they seem like good people who like doing what they do, even though others don't know how they roll since they aren't in 'their unit'.

They say that just the military experience will give you the leeway needed for Civilian LE jobs.
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Old 11-16-2009, 11:05 AM
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Kevinxt, do you plan on entering as an enlisted man or as a commisioned officer?

I told my cousin to get his degree first and then go in as an officer. He thanked me for it years later. Unless you have nothing else going on, I advise against entering as an enlisted man for several reasons I would rather not get into.

I also suggest staying the heck away from the following 5 jobs (or anything else that sounds similar to these jobs).

1. Security Forces
2. Air Transportation Specialist (or anything in logistics)
3. Civil Engineering
4. Maintainence
5. Morale, Welfare, and Recreation.

Trust me, I spent over 11 years and a great deal of that time was spending it with the folks in those 5 catagories. I suggest getting a job in the medical field. Not only will you have to do less BS, you can use that training when you leave the Air Force.
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Old 11-16-2009, 11:14 AM
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im looking at going in as enlisted.

Medical doesnt intrest me one bit.

(i dont have a college degree and im mid 20s now.. im having a hard time finding a job as a civilian LEO (as theres not many hiring now / lots of competition from people with military expirience) plus ive been told i dont have enough life "expirience"..

ive always wanted to serve in the military and dont have much going on now (no family, house etc) and my job now im barley working as it is thanks to the econmy. and would like to see the world some.

i was curious if master at arms (navy) did more law enforcement work as opposed to SF. To compare the two.

and was curious if with the longer hours you work it evens out with days off (im assumeing not) (ie.. not like how Civilian LEOs operate with 3 12hour days = more days off)

Last edited by KevinXT; 11-16-2009 at 11:19 AM..
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Old 11-16-2009, 11:20 AM
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The USAF does have MPs these act as more of the Police on a Base. They give traffic tickets and all. They do a lot of patrols. When I was in I was a 'SP augmentee' in FLA and I got to guard a piece of Swamp for 6 hours, boy that was fun. They always said if you want to know what pot smells like go over to the SPs barracks.
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Old 11-16-2009, 11:23 AM
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Originally Posted by KevinXT View Post
im looking at going in as enlisted.

Medical doesnt intrest me one bit.

(i dont have a college degree and im mid 20s now.. im having a hard time finding a job as a civilian LEO (as theres not many hiring now / lots of competition from people with military expirience) plus ive been told i dont have enough life "expirience"..

ive always wanted to serve in the military and dont have much going on now (no family, house etc) and my job now im barley working as it is thanks the econmy. and would like to see the world some.

i was curious if master at arms (navy) did more law enforcement work as opposed to SF.
I would avoid going into the Military Police, Shore Patrol, or Security forces if that is your interest. You will spend most of your days guarding things while stateside, and when you are deployed, it will be much more of the same except that the food sucks more and you will be sleeping in a tent with a bunch of other dudes. If you really want to get some great experience for Law enforcement type work, you need to join a Special Forces Unit or one of the Criminal Investigative units such as the CID, NCIS, or AFOSI. Anything else you may do in the military will probably not give you the experience you seek and thus you will still be wasting your time. Trust me, get a degree now or while you are in. Most veterans have a hard time transitioning back into the civilian world because their military job has little to no use in the civilian marketplace. You don't want to be a crippled middle aged guy with no college and no civilian work experience in this or the future economy.

P.S. You may not be interested in the medical field, but that is where most of the womenfolk are working.
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Old 11-16-2009, 12:21 PM
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I was considering going MP in the army but I did some research and decided better of it. I was told the MP does not help you got a law enforcement job. Being in the army is what does it, if you are an MP or something different it helps you the same. No one likes the MP's. I went communications. It is a job that will be useful after the army.
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Old 11-19-2009, 9:23 PM
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I'm a Master at Arms, and all the commands I've been to I've been doing primarily LE work. However, our job is changing, and incorporates a lot of Anti-terrorism, Force Protection type work also. I have stood some time at the gates, but that's mostly turned over to civilian contract security companies. It also seems like most of the actual LE work is being turned over to the civilian DoD Police. MA's are also like the Navy's ground pounders, so we get sent out on all kinds of IA's to Iraq/Aghanistan/HOA etc etc. We don't guard planes, or other stupid stuff unless it's a special assignment, like if special aircraft come in, but they usually have their own Raven team to watch over it. I'm in Afghanistan right now, and I'm attached to the Army SECFOR (security forces). I've been in the Navy for 10 yrs, 5-6 years as an MA, and the MA's job has constantly been changing throughout the years. 5 years from now? Who knows, I might be doing traffic stops, or I might be doing snatch-n-grabs with some people that don't exist, in third world countries...
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Old 11-20-2009, 6:58 PM
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SF are hardly the most hated in the AF. Every unit (and every service) has their own culture and their own view of what the totem pole looks like. But if there had to be someone most hated, I'd argue finance.

Any who SF has changed a lot in the last several years. There used to be two tracks, one that preformed cop work and the other performed watching planes and everything else you needed someone who regularly holds an M4.

that changed and they merged the two career paths so you would do both. State side, you'd get your time guarding the planes and do the law enforcement thing and overseas you'd do the same thing as well as go out on patrols.

Because of shortfall in personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan with the Army and Marines, AF SF have been doing more missions (patrols, convoys, etc) outside the wire, so if you want to see action you can.

Someone mentioned OSI would be better detective experience if that's what you're looking for. Probably. The definitely do their own thing and have their own culture that is more domestic and less militaristic.
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Old 11-28-2009, 2:32 PM
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I would avoid going into the Military Police, Shore Patrol, or Security forces if that is your interest. You will spend most of your days guarding things while stateside, and when you are deployed, it will be much more of the same except that the food sucks more and you will be sleeping in a tent with a bunch of other dudes. If you really want to get some great experience for Law enforcement type work, you need to join a Special Forces Unit or one of the Criminal Investigative units such as the CID, NCIS, or AFOSI. Anything else you may do in the military will probably not give you the experience you seek and thus you will still be wasting your time. Trust me, get a degree now or while you are in. Most veterans have a hard time transitioning back into the civilian world because their military job has little to no use in the civilian marketplace. You don't want to be a crippled middle aged guy with no college and no civilian work experience in this or the future economy.

P.S. You may not be interested in the medical field, but that is where most of the womenfolk are working.
I really disagree with all your statements. Never tell anyone that they will be wasting their time by not going into a specific MOS. Also, I would never go in as an officer. I have met very few officer's with a solid head on their shoulders. The enlisted guys are the thinkers and are the ones that make things happen. For me officers are good for one thing.... getting you killed. Also don't go into the AF or Navy. The Marine Corps gives you the most respect from any company or Law Enforcement agency. You will never see a bond like that of Marines. Special Forces or CID is something that you need to work for and earn. Your not going to just walk out of your recruiter's office and your instantly a Green Beret or an CID agent. ANY thing you do in the military will give you the experience that LE is looking for. Just finish your contract honorably and your ahead of the curve. If your going Navy, I say go corpsman and get into the feild with the grunts, save lives and that will help round out your quals for LE.
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Old 11-28-2009, 2:50 PM
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Hey guys im considering joining the USAF or Navy doing law enforcement.. (security forces or master at arms) just curious if anyone on here was either of these and wouldn't mind me asking a few quick questions via pm.
Not a MA or AF Security MOS but I think you'll enjoy the AF a hell of lot more from a quality of life perspective. The AF takes good care of its people. The duty stations are really good CONUS and OCONUS for AF peeps.

MA's in the Navy are more enforcers of Navy/Mil Regs than true LEO's.

I think the best thing you could do with MIL LE is go K9. The training seems to be the pipeline to the Fed LE Services post MIL. I know a few guys who went on from the USMC to be K9 handlers with the Fed.

If you just want to be a cop you are probably better off getting a degree and just applying to agencies of your choice.

Perhaps the biggest thing you could do is keep your nose clean and live an exemplary life; the background check is huge for most agencies.
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Old 11-29-2009, 6:33 PM
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I would second the quality of life in the AF. When I was stationed in Okinawa, we would always head over to Kadena and eat all the good food that the AF had to offer. Plus there living quarters were way better than the condemed barracks we lived in over on Futema.
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Old 11-30-2009, 5:51 AM
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I really disagree with all your statements. Never tell anyone that they will be wasting their time by not going into a specific MOS. Also, I would never go in as an officer. I have met very few officer's with a solid head on their shoulders. The enlisted guys are the thinkers and are the ones that make things happen. For me officers are good for one thing.... getting you killed. Also don't go into the AF or Navy. The Marine Corps gives you the most respect from any company or Law Enforcement agency. You will never see a bond like that of Marines. Special Forces or CID is something that you need to work for and earn. Your not going to just walk out of your recruiter's office and your instantly a Green Beret or an CID agent. ANY thing you do in the military will give you the experience that LE is looking for. Just finish your contract honorably and your ahead of the curve. If your going Navy, I say go corpsman and get into the feild with the grunts, save lives and that will help round out your quals for LE.
Thats OK because I really disagree with some of your statements. If they are going into an MOS (AFSC in the AF) and they are not getting the experience and training they want, then it is a waste of time. I spent 8 years trying to change my AFSC but I kept getting denied because my Specialty was so undermanned. When I finally got stop lossed, I figured that was the last straw and I decided that it was time to leave. 5 years later, I busted my arse to get a Math/Science degree and now I make double of what I did while I was on active duty (at an entry level position), and that is before my disability compensation check rolls in. I have talked to the LAPD, the CHP, and the Sherrifs and they all agree that they prefer not to hire on ex military police due to the way they were trained to respond to threats while on active duty. As far as your thoughts on the Marines and Navy, I totally agree with you on those points.
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Old 11-30-2009, 8:14 AM
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Joining any military branch regardless of AF, Army, Marines, Navy, Coasties, etc. will look good on any resume regardless of the job you do choose. USAF Security Forces is exactly what the name sounds like, Security. As an earlier poster stated most LEO on base is transitioning to DOD police. That transition allows most SF/MP's to be sent overseas for deployments. I've been doing the AF thing for just about 12 years. I started off in the medical field. Good training, hot women, and lots of fun. Many different paths to chose from in medical. I've worked in the hospital section, aeromedical evacuation on a C-130, and the MASF (Mobile Air Staging Facility). I always had a roof over my head. Medical people get treated very well in the military. My current job is Force Support. It's a slower paced job, not too challenging, but I always have a roof over my head and always get hot meals. The women aren't too bad either, but like all branches most military women have daddy issues. I suggest doing whatever interests you the most. If you really want to be LEO it doesn't matter what job you pick in the military since military law (UCMJ) differs from that of civilian law. Also, the training you get in the military LEO wise is different from the training you would get civilian wise. On a side note, I also work for SBPD. Most LEO agencies are having budget issues right now. If they do hire they tend to go for the guys who have put themselves through the academy on their own. It's cheaper for the agency in the long run. Good luck in whatever you do decide. GO USAF..lol
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Old 11-30-2009, 10:17 PM
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Don't be an SP. Every day I see those poor guy sitting outside watching a plane bored out of there mind. Go medical or some sort technical field good outside the military.

Really think about what you enjoy doing and dont take the job on some bull**** bonus either.
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Old 12-02-2009, 9:14 AM
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Medical people get treated very well in the military. My current job is Force Support. It's a slower paced job, not too challenging, but I always have a roof over my head and always get hot meals. The women aren't too bad either, but like all branches most military women have daddy issues. I suggest doing whatever interests you the most.
Thank you for supporting my observation. In the Air Force, the Aircrew and the Medical people get treated very well. Most of the other AFSC's get treated like dirt, especially those in logistics and maintenance. My particular field allowed me to work with nearly everyone on the base because my face would be the last one they see before they take off and or be the first one they see when they arrived (not including the aircrew). I have shot the stuff with almost every branch and I have met many "Special Forces" type people while they were awaiting air transportation. Basically if you do join the military, do what you want to do. Don't just go into the open catagory because you are rolling the dice on what you will be doing for the next few years of your life.
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Old 12-13-2009, 8:38 PM
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i am trying to do something i am interested in.. Doing something in medical for 4 years sounds way worse to me than checking IDs at a gate. Or guarding planes.... as i have Zero interest in wearing scubs taking xrays, and whiping peoples butts. And im not joining the military to chaise girls haha I was looking at AF SF because i want to be in the air force but want to do some law enforcement stuff.. and good chances of going outside the wire.. K9 does interest me...

i did talk to a guy that is a SF that works full time out at march and he loves his job. and was telling me about all the different opportunities/ assignments within SF and that basically you get out of it what you put into it..


im still looking into Navy Master at arms...

I looked into ARMY MP and seems like these days they are more maneuver support soldiers than law enforcement... plus minimum 5 year enlistment and heard army has not so stellar quality of life...

i guess what it boils down to is it doesnt matter if im civi or mil. law enforcement i just really want a career in this field and the extra stuff you get to do and learn in the military sounds apealing.

I cant afford to self sponsor myself through the police academy.. heck i can barley afford to live working my crummy job now. plus even if i do make it though the academy that doesnt solve my "lack of life experience" issue in pscy. evals.

Thanks for everyone replys and thanks to the MA for you first hand experience....

Last edited by KevinXT; 12-13-2009 at 8:46 PM..
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Old 12-13-2009, 8:57 PM
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My ex girlfriend went into Security in the Air Force and came out with a bad drug habit. She said she was bored all the time guarding missle silos
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Old 12-13-2009, 9:08 PM
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Days off...?
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Old 12-13-2009, 11:57 PM
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and heard army has not so stellar quality of life...
Can anyone comment on this? True or not?
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Old 12-14-2009, 6:30 AM
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Can anyone comment on this? True or not?
They all have the same benefits and pay but you will see a differance between air force bases and forts, and more so when deployed. If there is a local hotel or dorm it will be filled with AF members and all the army guys will be on base in tents.

I currently work in aircraft maintenance and if I got the chance to pick a new job the first two i would cross off my list would be security forces or maintenance.
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Old 12-17-2009, 8:37 PM
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i am trying to do something i am interested in.. Doing something in medical for 4 years sounds way worse to me than checking IDs at a gate. Or guarding planes.... as i have Zero interest in wearing scubs taking xrays, and whiping peoples butts. And im not joining the military to chaise girls haha I was looking at AF SF because i want to be in the air force but want to do some law enforcement stuff.. and good chances of going outside the wire.. K9 does interest me...

i did talk to a guy that is a SF that works full time out at march and he loves his job. and was telling me about all the different opportunities/ assignments within SF and that basically you get out of it what you put into it..


im still looking into Navy Master at arms...

I looked into ARMY MP and seems like these days they are more maneuver support soldiers than law enforcement... plus minimum 5 year enlistment and heard army has not so stellar quality of life...

i guess what it boils down to is it doesnt matter if im civi or mil. law enforcement i just really want a career in this field and the extra stuff you get to do and learn in the military sounds apealing.

I cant afford to self sponsor myself through the police academy.. heck i can barley afford to live working my crummy job now. plus even if i do make it though the academy that doesnt solve my "lack of life experience" issue in pscy. evals.

Thanks for everyone replys and thanks to the MA for you first hand experience....

I would have to agree I am an MP and its mostly either detainee operations or doing patrols or convoys as mounted infantry, which is what most MP's end up doing.
It is definitely mainly combat focused now.
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