Expert: Loren Stevens - 12/14/2009

Question
Hi, My name is Zachary and I am joining the USMC as a 0317 Sniper/Scout and when I come back I would like to become a sharpshooter for a Special Weapons And Tactics team, are there Steps that I should be taking now?

Answer
Hello Zachary,
Congrats on your decision, and thank you for your service.
You'll be too busy that first year in the Corps, to do much else.
Just some thoughts: keep your driving record pristine, and avoid foolish debt issues. Any domestic violence matters, is a career ender, for police service.
Be thinking about what agencies you have an interest in, be it federal, state or local. Also, be thinking of where you'd like to live.
Being a SWAT officer, is a duty assignment, and very rarely, is a career spent in these type units, for several reasons. So, be aware of the primary work duties that appeal to you, for the long haul.
Later, you can make friends with personnel assigned to the MP's, and maybe get some of their training materials. Kind of focus on 4th Amendment stuff: use of force, use of deadly force, search and seizure, etc.
Try for any schools you can, while in the service, as you want to obtain as much training as possible.
And remember, less than ten percent of police applicants get hired, and more of those drop out along the way in training. You need to get hired prior to any thoughts of SWAT, or any other specialized assignment, for that matter. You'll want to prepare for the entry level duty, usually uniform patrol. You'll need to distinguish yourself at that position, be out of field-training, and off probation, prior to getting a shot to compete for a specialized position. Then, it's about who of the candidates has the best and most relevant "stuff" to pony up. That, is when the decisions are made.
While in the USMC, try to get as many medical/First Aid certificates as you can, and always study written and oral communications as it will serve you well.
This should be enough to give you some thoughts.
Upper body and hand strength are givens, as is stamina.
Hope this is helpful. Good Luck,
Semper Fi.
loren