Law Enforcement and Security Officers

Background

The military services have their own police forces to protect lives and property on military bases and to patrol our coastal waters. Law enforcement and security officers plan and direct programs to protect property, communications, and classified information. Law enforcement and security officers command military police units that enforce laws and investigate crimes. 

What They Do

Law enforcement and security officers in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Develop policies and programs to prevent crime and reduce traffic accidents
• Direct the enforcement of military law
• Help in ballistics, forgery, fingerprinting, and polygraph (lie detector) examinations
• Manage military correctional facilities
• Plan and direct criminal investigations and investigations of suspected treason, sabotage, or espionage
• Plan for the security of military bases and office buildings and direct security procedures
• Supervise the arrest, custody, transfer, and release of offenders

Physical Demands

No information available.

Special Requirements

A four-year college degree is normally required to enter this career. Some specialties require further education or prior experience in law enforcement and security.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful attributes include:

• Interest in law enforcement and crime prevention
• Interest in planning and directing the work of others

Helpful School Subjects

No information available.

Helpful Fields of Study

Helpful fields of study include:

• Business administration
• Criminal justice
• Psychology
• Public administration
• Sociology

Work Environment

Law enforcement and security officers in the military usually work in offices while planning and directing law enforcement and security activities. They may work outdoors while directing investigations, observing prisoners, and inspecting security systems.

Services offering this career:

• Air Force
• Army
• Coast Guard
• Marine Corps
• Navy

Hiring Practices

To serve in the military, a person must be at least 17; the maximum age for enlistment varies. To enlist, a person must pass a physical exam and an aptitude test. An enlistee must also meet military standards of discipline and be a US citizen or permanent resident alien.

This position is for officers.

Wages

The military is competitive with the civilian world when it comes to pay and benefits. All branches offer the same basic pay and benefits.

Pay depends mainly on rank or grade as well as length of service. Bonuses and the situation in which the person is serving (for example: flight duty, sea duty, hazardous duty) also affect pay. 

Cost-of-living increases usually occur every year, based on inflation. The military also pays allowances for food, clothing, and housing. All these factors combined are called Regular Military Compensation (RMC). They should all be considered when comparing military pay to civilian pay.

There are two main parts to RMC: basic pay and allowances. There are also additional incentives for special abilities, training, or hazardous duty.

Check out the RMC Calculator to calculate your RMC based on your inputs.

Training Provided

Job training consists of seven to 28 weeks of classroom instruction. Training length varies depending on specialty.

Course content typically includes:

• Investigation procedures and reporting
• Law enforcement administration
• Management of security problems
• Military law

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian law enforcement and security officers work in federal, state, and local prisons, intelligence and law enforcement agencies, and private security companies. Some also operate their own security firms or become private detectives. They perform duties similar to those performed in the military. They may also be called police chiefs, chief inspectors, prison wardens, security managers, or chief deputy sheriffs.

Related Civilian Careers

• Border Patrol Agents
• Detectives and Investigators
• Police and Detective Supervisors
• Police Patrol Officers
• Sheriffs
• Sketch Artists

Employment and Outlook

In peace time the services have about 3,500 law enforcement and security officers. In times of military action the number may be different, depending on the type of specialties required. Each year the services need new officers due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. After job training, officers are assigned to command police, security, or investigative units. Depending on ability and experience, law enforcement and security officers may be assigned to direct one or more large law enforcement units.