i am considering joining the military, would this be a good path for joining the SWAT, or become a Secret Service Agent?

Hi Ashleyn. I'm a vet , also had a family member in the Secret Service and another one is a cop. Here are some insights.

The Secret Service virtually requires a college degree. So if that is a goal for you, you'll need to graduate from college. (show you how in a minute). And it is a high stress job.

Often SWAT teams are a specialty in local police departments. To get there you first need to be a cop, and for that you often can apply if you have a high school degree and are 21. If that is appealing then literally go to your local police department and see if there is someone off duty you can talk to about a career in law enforcement and what it takes to join the SWAT team.

For the military....it might be a good option. It is for many folks. Here's why I suggest that. You can enlist when you reach age 18 AND....if you stay in a while (six years I think) there are numerous federal and state government programs that will help pay for the cost of college. So, that's how you might qualify for the Secret Service if it is still an interest for you. Regardless, being a veteran opens educational and career opportunities hard to create otherwise.

Hope that helps. Good luck my friend.

Hi Ashleyn,

I chose a path similar to what you describe here. After college, I joined the Navy and completed a 4 year enlistment. Upon separating, I became a Deputy Sheriff in Florida and then joined the Secret Service. I can say with certainty, that the military gave me the background I needed to succeed in law enforcement and opened every door along the route I chose to pursue.

A lot of people have a bachelor's degree and apply for Federal positions. In today's workforce, you need something that sets you apart from every other candidate, and military service does that. Military personnel have traits that are desirable to Federal agencies such as; discipline, integrity, trustworthiness and the ability to adapt to a changing environment. You also get 5-10 points for Veterans preference when taking any federal exam.

If you're interested in being a member of a SWAT Team on a police department, you'll need to invest some time as an active police officer first. Being a former military member can help accomplish this as well. Often times, police departments give veteran's preference over non-veterans.

Don't forget there are also Special Forces in the military, similar to a SWAT Team. You may join the military and find something that interests you and decide to make a career out of it.

The military is just one option towards your long term goals. It isn't for everyone and I encourage you to talk to as many current and former military personnel as you can before making a decision. Just keep your mind and your options open. Good luck