Expert: John L - 1/2/2010

Question
OK my names Dan i enlisted in the national guard. back in November i leave for OSUT January 25th to fort Knox Kentucky..the thing is my mos that i wanted was 31B MP but i couldn't get it because of a security clearance which was because I'm still paying on my bills. and the MOS wasn't available at the time. just 13B which was the corrections specialist but now i have 19D Calvary Scout. i really want MP i have a 8 year contract. and the important issue is i enlisted as in the ACTIVE Duty First Program. I want to re-class cause i want MP and that's the only MOS i wanted and one of the reasons why i joined the military. Cause i want a Career in the Law Enforcement field. which yes i know any type of military experience will help you for that career field. But MP would give me way more experience cause it narrows it down that career field entirely. I don't know where to begin? I know i have to pay of my bills which i will totally have done when i get done with basic. I have OSUT training so its just straight through. and i heard that you have to wait 6months in order to re-class because you have to have 6 months satisfactory experience in your MOS field. Then im being told that i have wait till my active duty is done which is 3 years then i can choose to go national guard for 5 years or stay active. But i also was never told that there was a 6 and 2 contract. My friend that recruited me told me that. What can i do? Who should i talk to?  

Answer
Actually, being an MP will NOT help you in in credentials for law enforcement as much as a 19D.  MP's are rarely under fire and do not have to think quick on their feet in situations like 19D's do.  When police agencies look at future cops, combat arms MOS's liek 19D, 11B go alot further than MP. Alot of my friends are cops who are also National Guard, and they tell me former MP's do make as good of cops because they do not learn the stuff you do as a fighting soldier.  

Trust me, 19D will take you further than MP ever would.  Do your 3 yrs and go from there on the career path that is right for you at the time.