[Constitution45]

Who here has or "had" a strong desire to join the military or police. And if so what were your opinions on it afterwards. I am aware that there are military threads dotted around but I wanted to talk more about why some people have the desire to join these institutions. I am one of them and I can't understand why other men don't want to do the same.

It seems like a rite of passage as well as the camaraderie you have. Office jobs or other such jobs just don't stimulate in the same way as a man. chasing women and partying is fun but there is no real challenge and you are not being put into a situation that really tests your character.

I suppose the alternatives are firefighting, becoming a paramedic, oil rigging or getting heavily emerged in a fight club or martial arts. But I would be interested in hearing people's perspectives about why these institutions are appealing and probably help a mans journey to becoming the man.

[Spectrumwalker]

I have nothing but respect for law enforcement and the military. It is a very honorable and noble way to make your way in this world. The career embodies so many traits we talk about here on the forum and in the sphere. So long as you yourself have a deep sense of honor, integrity and justice and don't fall in with the bad apples. Being a police officer would have been my way of getting rid of evil in the world. I will readily admit though, that even as I was going through the hiring process, and as bad as I wanted the position, I was on the fence about if this was something I was prepared to commit the next 20 or 30 years doing.

It's a changed world for law enforcement. And a world that I really no longer want to be a part of. There is no more loyalty. Your department is more than happy to throw you under the bus in order save face if you get into it with someone. You're constantly being recorded by both your own department and the citizen's your coming into contact with. Every move you make is heavily scrutinized by your superiors to the point where one thinks, why'd you even give me a badge and a uniform if you can't trust me. Everything is very by the book now for police officers. A fear of being sued personally or getting the department sued has made most officers letter of the law cops instead of spirit of the law. In short, everyone seems to have a tree trunk stuck up their assholes. I for one don't like how aggressive cops in the states are becoming. Not long ago in Anaheim, California they had their SWAT teams outfitted in ACU's during some riots and it looked like they were in Baghdad. Shit like that is changing the psychology of the modern police officer. Americans are safer now in the year 2015 than they were decades ago. One wouldn't believe it though by watching the actions of the police and listening to the propaganda of the media who make your think your children will most likely being abducted just walking to school in the morning. Bullshit. If I was going to be a cop, I wanted to be a cop. A member of the community who wanted to take care of his backyard and know his residents.

All that being said, I'm living now here in South America where the cops are completely useless. The exception goes to Chile. I have traveled a lot around the world, and in my personal observations, America truly does have the most honorable police force in the world. Having a deep sense of justice, and respect for law is something deeply embedded in us as American men. And that has made for some truly fine police officers who hold their careers in high regard. And that is truly unique to the United States alone. I still have an itch to return to the states and try again. However the more time I spend outside the zoo looking in, the harder I believe it would be to return and pick up where I left off.

Not to long ago, I returned to Lima after spending sometime in the Patagonia region of South America. I sat at the bar with my girl at the airport hotel when in walk three obese, and obnoxious Americans from what sounded like Oklahoma or someplace. Two fat fuck females, and one of their equally obese and loud husbands. They were so loud, and rude that I could no longer remain silent but had to shut them up as I couldn't hear what my date was saying. An uproar ensued where I was shamed by these land whales for not asking politely enough. These two tatted fatties were calling me names behind my back as I half listened to them and half focused on my date. But as my girl was talking about something, I thought to myself, these are the kinds of people I was about to put my life on the line for. Fuck that.

[Constitution45]

Excellent story, I have some background in law enforcement, as this is a public forum I don't want to go into a great deal of detail. However it certainly does provide you with a strong sense of responsibility and having to basically be a rock. You know that you will deal with all sorts of risks, plenty of which being of the unknown variety, yet thats the way it is. You can only build and train yourself up to a point where you can handle it to the best of your ability. This is a trait which will come in useful no matter what you do in life, and they teach you this in day one of training.

The only thing that is equally or if not more tempting that joining up is the prospect of living abroad. Some of these locations mentioned on this forum can truly be miniature heavens for those who apply themselves correctly. The lifestyle and adventure is all too desirable.

[vinman]

I've got experience with both, and I would say stay the Hell away from being a cop. You make split second decisions that a lawyer has years to pull apart. If you want to have a career in law enforcement do what you need to do to go federal. You don't have to deal with the day to day horse shit that will affect your physical or mental health. Feds don't handle domestics. Feds don't do traffic stops in neighborhoods where everyone comes out of their houses to stir the pot, and get shit started. Feds don't have their business on the nightly news. Feds don't have to wear a ton a shit and ride around in a target reference point for 8-12 hours a day. You want to feel like you're making a difference? The Marshal Service goes after bad people all over. I'd try that.

[Seth_Rose]

Do you still have interest in the 'International Affairs' realm? If so I think the military would serve you well.

[Simeon_Strangelight]

I have had only experiences in the military and it was partly great fun.

I understand why men are drawn towards both military or police professions.

However I would never ever recommend joining any of those forces unless you are willing to become a Stormtrooper for the Sith Empire. Forget about honor and integrity - all units are militarized for the future dystopian dictatorship. The top does not give two shits about you and will throw you to the wolves anytime they see fit.

As Spectrum has said here before - the US is safer than it was in the 1970s in most areas, but the media and the government makes it sound like it's Mogadishu out there.

There are certainly plum professions like technical specialties in the armed forces which are also great careers for defense contractors later on, but I would steer away from anything directly engaging with the public - you become a pawn for evil and oppression. Both professions are noble pursuits, but they have been completely perverted. If you still want to do it, then be ready to do and see shit that might make your soul warped.

[Sonoma]

No don't.

You give up a ton of freedom for minimal compensation.

[komatiite]

Great informative post, spectrumwalker!

[Sourcecode]

Don't listen to people that are gonna talk shit about the military out police force.
People are gonna say that you are nothing but a pawn in someone else's plan. You won't get anything out of it. You don't get paid a lot.

All that is bullshit.
You get out of life what you put into it. The lessons you learn. Will stay with you forever and you will become a better man for it.
Arguably a much better man then a person that hasn't served.
Not everything is about trying to pull a fast one on someone and play the easy route or make a dollar off someone.

The friends you make may but most. Likely will become people you will never forget she always stay in touch with.

There are no better people than the people you struggle with.
Most people in life don't understand things like honor, integrity, true service and real friendship.
And that's why the country is so fill of people that are spineless and quick to lie , cheat and steal from each other to get to the top.

At the end of the day, it's about what you and do.
You don't have to make a career out of it, but it it's something you want to do. Go for it.

Plenty of people turn down much better paying jobs for service.

How many people giving you all the excuses are people that would/could/ should do the same job themselves.
How many people truly work for themselves.
Because if you don't.. Ever job or career you take it going to be you working for the grand scheme of someone else

[JacksonRev]

Being in the military means you're basically a pawn who's treated like dirt and moved around a chess board according to the needs of the king.

So, it's like every other job in the world. It's just the only one that's honest about how shit works. Which makes all the difference in the world. Because you learn who you can depend on, your brothers. Loyalty is lean outside of that.

If you want to join, join. If you don't, whatever.

[DarkTriad]

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[germanico]

As an agent, they paid me less than $400 a month.

This was in Mexico, though.

Nobody respects you, bosses treat you like cannon fodder, get no benefits (asides from healthcare), everyone rats on you, cant trust your your colleagues, everyone assumes you are taking bribes, or everyone assumes that a $20 buys your ass.

Oh, and you have to get your own ammo.

$250k a year? Ive never seen that much cash in my life. Im not going to risk my life for honour or respect, because you get none.

And then everyone you know ends up dead.

[Spectrumwalker]

If anyone on here is thinking of going LE, please do yourself a favor and go on as many ride alongs as you possibly can. Volunteer for a department, work as a cadet or be an explorer if you're young enough. Go to Citizen's Police Academies conducted by local departments. Learn about what you are getting yourself into. Make sure its something you can dedicate yourself to and most importantly you have the MOTIVATION for. Your motivation will make or break your attitude. Motivation is where I fell off the fence. In recent years since 2008, the job has attracted a lot of applicants who have lost their normal jobs. People wake up one day and think they can be a cop. They are attracted by the salary and benefits. Unfortunately some of these men and women do make it through the process. Some can make good cops, but it's also attracted a lot of morons who shouldn't be carrying a firearm. I recall a story from a former coworker of mine who had gone onto become a police officer for a major city. One of his academy buddies didn't last halfway through his first shift. This dude had been one of the best performers in the academy, but almost pissed himself when he had to draw his weapon for the first time in the field. Story went he had his FTO drive him back to the station after the kid confessed that, maybe this job wasn't what he thought it was. Don't be that guy who wastes time and money. Keep your nose clean so you can pass a background investigation. That being said if you're really serious about this career, you almost place yourself into self induced slavery to try and prove yourself. I can attest to this, and I'm making up for lost time. Albeit still responsibly.

A good cop stays a rookie for his entire career; excited by every shift. Good luck with that.

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[jimukr104]

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[Constitution45]

@ Viniman,

Yeah I hear you, over here in the U.K, the police has been adapted to become more "civilian" if that makes any sense. So self defence training will consist of two days a year, there is no serious pressure or discipline anymore. There specialised units do have the focus and right ethic it seems but your rank and file police officers who are having to come face to face with all sorts of risks in a daily basis are just not prepared enough. And take it from me, policing in the U.K is no cakewalk, gun crime is very low here compared to the States but people try to take on the police a lot more it seems.

@ Sethrose

Yes IR is a big interest to me and so is the military. I have started applications but have travel commitments which we discussed on Skype a while back; so may have to put it on hold for a bit. I think both jobs hold a lot of sway in the adventure department. The British military has a lot of postings in the Med, M.E and also a few dotted around Belize. Its essentially International Relations but on steroids.

[jimukr104]

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