Expert: Loren Stevens - 3/29/2008

Question
Hello,

 I'm an enlisted soldier in the Army National Guard.  As you know, other than deployment we only only are in uniform one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer.  Thus leads me to a dilemma...a civilian job.  The U.S. Army has made me into a high-speed individual and most civilian jobs are just boring to me.  With a high degree of professionalism, motivation, dedication, and physical fitness I think I would feel right at home on a SWAT team.  I was trained at Fort Benning school of Infantry so I already know some basic fundamentals of room clearing, EPW search and all the fun stuff.  I'm currently training for my primary MOS and I'm looking for a job for when I get home.  My question is, with my military backround would it be possible to land a position in a SWAT team?  If so, how would I go about doing that?

Thank you,
Nick

Answer
Hello Nick,
First off, thank you for your service to our country.

Much of what you say has value for the future you describe. But my counsel, is to plan and prepare for the entry level police position, as that is where you'll start, if you get hired.
I also invite you to review many of the previous Q&A on my page, that also deals with SWAT type subjects.
Prepare to get-in-the-door entry position, as less than 10% of applicants get hired, and some of them don't get through the academy, or field training.
On a mid to large size agency, expect to spend 2-5 years in uniform patrol prior to being eligible for special assignment duty. So, you should focus on the entry position, and try to distinguish yourself there. After that, and you become eligible for special ops, then it's about what KSA's (knowledge-skills-abilities) you can pony up.
Plus, as an officer in an agency, you'll be an "insider" and be able to pickup on what the agency and SWAT commander is looking for in replacement personnel.
Hope this is helpful.
Good Luck, and regards.
loren