Expert: Aaron Shifferly - 2/4/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi Aaron,

I've been wanting to be in the military since I was about 8 when my brother in-law joined the Airforce(I looked up to him a lot as a kid). But I'm 18 now and it seems like the choice on what I would like to do or where I would like to go is actually a pretty tough one. I'm very interested in both the Army and the Marines, but not as career choices. I want to get into law enforcement but the minimum age is 21, so I have some waiting to do. What I'm really trying to figure out is what is going to qualify me the most to do that? If I join the Army, I think I'm going to try and get into Airborne Infantry or possibly even Rangers, but like I said, not as a whole career choice.

Any help/info you could provide will be greatly appreciated.

ANSWER: Matt:
Any job in the military that gives you experience with weapons will help you for a future career in law enforcement. Military Police would be a great choice, since you would get practice in actually performing law enforcement duties. I would just talk with your recruiters and see what it is that they have open that would catch your interest.

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QUESTION: Ah ok thanks. Also I was just wondering if you could tell me what it's generally like being in the Army. Just like how life is.

ANSWER: Military life is very different from normal life in that you work for the military and cannot just up and quit. That being said, you get some benefits that aren't available to most people which are housing allowances, food allowances, and tax-free exemptions for certain situations (combat duty usually). A normal day is PT (exercise) from 0630-0730, work from 0900-1130 and 1300-1700 with lunch being from 1130-1300. That can change and does frequently, as the military is fluid. I wish I could be more descriptive but with such a general question, its hard. If you want to know about certain jobs, I can get more specific in another follow up.

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QUESTION: Yes I understand the question was very general, but all your information is appreciated. I am also looking into 19D, do you know any specifics about that field?

Answer
Be prepared for lots of walking and light weaponry. Cav scouts are the forward elements of the battlefield and, depending on light or heavy, you could be in for a lot of walking. You can talk to a recruiter specifically about this MOS and the requirements for it, but if you're down to walk, sneak around, and be a screening element on the battlefield, its a good choice.