|  | If you're like thousands of other returning veterans, you're looking for a civilian job now that you've completed your military service. While some vets find work right away, many find it beneficial to take advantage of the G.I. Bill and go back to school. The G.I. Bill is a valuable benefit for military personnel, and it provides a unique opportunity to train for a new career. | One profession that's a natural fit for many veterans is law enforcement. The skills learned in the military are transferable to many law enforcement jobs, such as these: The direction you take your career depends on you: the amount of time you want to spend on your education, and your own personality, desires and career goals.  Law Enforcement Jobs in the Police Department As a veteran, you are particularly well suited to work as police officer, as your military service has already taught you many of the skills required for the job. Police officers maintain law and order, and respond to calls for help. And once you're on the force, there are great opportunities for advancement, from sergeant all the way up to chief of police. Your military experience has also provided you with a good background for detective work. Police detectives talk to victims, witnesses and suspects to determine what happened at the scene of a crime, and decide whether an investigation is warranted. Many law enforcement agencies encourage applicants to complete either an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree in a criminal justice-related area. Augmenting the experience you gained in the military with a degree will make you a valuable asset to police departments. Federal Law Enforcement Jobs Federal law enforcement agents have duties similar to those of state and local police officers, and they may work for the FBI, the DEA, the INS, the Department of Homeland Security and more. They investigate crime, collect evidence, write reports, apprehend criminals and testify in court. Generally, federal agents specialize in specific types of crime such as trafficking, fraud or homicide. The federal government looks for candidates who have college degrees in accounting and finance, science and engineering, or criminal justice. If you're interested in a law enforcement job at the federal level, you'll have an advantage if you earn a bachelor's or master's degree in one of these areas. More Law Enforcement Jobs Using science to help identify criminals and analyze evidence, forensic scientists support police and federal law enforcement agents in their fight against crime. They may specialize in forensic engineering, forensic entomology, DNA testing and more. You can enter the field of forensics with varying levels of education, from an associate's degree up to graduate-level degrees. Criminology is the study of crime, criminals and the law. Criminologists may specialize in drug addiction, juvenile delinquency and corrections, among other fields, and analyze criminal behavior to help law enforcement agents do their job better. The education requirements for criminologists are generally higher than for law enforcement agents—you'll need either a master's degree or a PhD to get into this field. If you think that your military background would make you a good criminologist, there are great careers helping law enforcement agents understand crime so they can fight it more effectively. Paying For Your Education Veterans are highly valued in law enforcement jobs, and the G.I. Bill can help you get the education you need. According to the Veterans Affairs Department, the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill will pay for up to 100 percent of your law enforcement training (depending on your length of service). Grants through the G.I. Bill cover all education expenses: - College tuition and fees
- Monthly housing allowance
- Books and supplies up to $1000 per year
Many veterans finance their education entirely though the G.I. Bill, so when they're done, they don't have formidable student loans to pay back. The G.I. Bill is an opportunity that you can't afford to pass up. Law enforcement jobs are a natural fit for veterans when they finish their military service. Whether you want to be on the front lines fighting crime as a city, state or federal law enforcement agent, or working behind the scenes as a forensic scientist or criminologist, there are many opportunities for people with military experience. Get the education you need now and pursue the law enforcement career that suits you best. Related Articles: Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Justice, New York Times, payscale.com, Myths and Realities of Crime and Justice Criminal Justice Home
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