How Much Does Military Help??

[SoCalSully]

Hello, I'm at my wits end with this decision and have decided to post on here for some advice.
I am very dedicated to becoming a police officer in the San Diego area, but am afraid that my age (22) will hinder me from becoming a policeman, since most pd's will more than likely (so I feel anyways) opt for the older applicant over myself. I have considered joining the US Army for some time in a 3 year enlistment, but its not really the move I want to make...only because it may help me be a better applicant.
I did work as an armed security officer in iowa, where I am from, for 2 years to gain experience, which proves a certain level of maturity, or so I feel, when a 20 year old is able to carry a firearm and work in high-risk government housing projects as an officer.
I was in the national guard when I was 18, I did not like it at all and took the proper steps to get out before I shipped for basic, so I was given a DD214 for a General Discharge as it was not under dishonorable conditions in any way. Will this hurt me? I dont want to have to pay for a stupid mistake of joining the wrong unit/job when I was 18.
I do have an AA Degree and am certified in everything from the ASP Baton to Unarmed Tactics by national instructors. Am I just trying to rush the process?
I hope someone here can please help me, becoming a policeman has been my dream since I can remember, and I desperately need advice from those who are older/wiser. Thank You!!

[midcoaster]

SoCalSully,

Hello, I'm not sure about the minimum age of hiring in your location. I know that a lot of departments advertise a minimum age requirement of 21. In Maine, where I had lived, I worked as a reserve police officer alongside many guys in their early 20's. The youngest officer that we had was only 19, he turned 20 while working with us. The Dept. also had an officer that it had hired from the previous summer who was 22, and they hired another guy who was 23. Of course this is Maine, but you wont know until you apply.

Regarding the situation with the National Guard, as long as it wasn't a discharge for other than honorable conditions, you should be fine. I think that the only obstacle you may face in that regard, is in having to articulate why you decided that the guard wasn't for you. You may be reminded that for the most part, police departments are a paramilitary organization.

Your AA Degree will be an advantage, as will your training. I'm sure that you will get more advice from others on this board with more experience in LE hiring in your location.

Good luck,
Lisa

[Romano]

SOCAl, my best advice to you is to put an application in and see what happens. I am 24 and I was deferred 5 months ago because they felt that I was too young and needed more life experience. But hey that's just me. You might find a whole different situation and department. Give it a try and then deal with whatever they tell you whether it is good or bad. I would also caution you on joining the military if you really don't want to. I mean three years is a long time to be stuck doing something you don't like. Besides there are other jobs out there that provide good experience for law enforcement, ie. the security job you had back in Iowa. Just my thoughts.

[mikegee]

A general discharge won't hurt you as long as it is not for questionable behavior( some people get it due to family problems, inability to adapt to military life- and understand that the people who serve our country often forego a lot of personal freedoms and wants to do so) If in the San Diego area , try the SD Port Police,Carlsbad PD , and Coronado PD, heck even Palomar College Police and SD Unified Schools PD are hiring ! Good luck, whatever your choice. And No, being 22 yrs old won't hurt you ( I started in my agency @ 22 1/2 yrs)