do some things help or hurt?

[jziems09]

I have my B.A. in Criminal Justice and just joined the Navy, initially to be an EOD tec, but recently changed my mind to become an MA. Will being an MA actually help me get a job as a federal or local officer? I've heard people say military policing and regular policing are very different, and that some places will overlook former military police because they are "tainted" is there any truth behind that? id assume not but well we all know what happens when someone assumes...

[Iowa #1603]

For the most part it won't help nor will it hurt you.

The military service will be a plus

[tanksoldier]

One thing is that most people have an idea what "military police" do... not so much the MA rating

Even those familiar with it may not know how the rating has developed over the last few years.

[Challenge Coin]

Had a couple MPs in my academy. Didn't seem to matter other than we had to hear a lot from them about how things are done "on post." Some interesting, some not. Certain TAC Officers may have been more annoyed than others.

[CCCSD]

EOD would have been a better rate. Much better pickings after ETS.

[WoodCo.Explorer]

It doesn't make you a definite pick but it may push you up the list provided that you have a solid work history, no criminal record, clean driving record, and no bad marks from your service. A four degree will also bump you past those with just a two year or no degree to speak of. I'm a strong advocate for auxiliary/reserves. Scratch around for departments that are appealing to you that have an auxiliary section, that's how I started out before I got hired as a road officer. Even if it's just volunteer work and riding around with sworn officers/deputies, experience goes a long way. If I was the chief, I'm gonna be looking at the guy who paid his dues in the auxiliary who went the extra mile in donating his free time to learn about the career.

[just joe]

It doesn't matter as long as you get an Honorable D.

[PhilipCal]

Honorable military service is always a plus. MOS doesn't matter.

[Molon_Labe]

I have my B.A. in Criminal Justice and just joined the Navy, initially to be an EOD tec, but recently changed my mind to become an MA. Will being an MA actually help me get a job as a federal or local officer? I've heard people say military policing and regular policing are very different, and that some places will overlook former military police because they are "tainted" is there any truth behind that? id assume not but well we all know what happens when someone assumes...

I do not know which one better per say, but I do know a lot about Navy EOD and it would have been great to go into. Navy is the only branch who's EOD is considered "Special Operations" (so they work with the "cool guys") and they go through a lot more schooling than just EOD school. You would have been dive trained, tons of marksmanship training, possibly HALO or HAHO trained, and the biggest thing is you would know how to dispose of explosive ordnance. Which knowing how to diffuse and dispose of bombs would, in my opinion, make you a more marketable candidate than being an MA, something they will teach you no matter what (academy).
I am not a police officer, nor do I know which is better but if I were you and could get into EOD school and know you can pass (it is hard as hell) then do it.
When I was figuring out what college degree to get, the only advice I was ever told was to do anything other than criminal justice because I will learn it anyways. But to each his own. Good luck my friend and thank you for serving.