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So I am trying to get back into the Marines as an officer right now...

But there has always been a place in my heart for the force. i would love to become a police officer, however if i get back into the Marines I would not be ale to go full time. I heard about reserves... a couple questions came up though.

According to the LAPD website the reserves are more like police who work at desks all day. While Buffalo reserves are not real police (heard from a friend who is a Buffalo Officer)... ?

I would want patrol duties, investigative duties, power to arrest and all that stuff... Now do reserve police do that or are they really just fake police like I have been told? ? ? If anyone could shed some light or is/was one and tell me what your duties are/were would be great. Thanks!

Only real answer is "it depends".

You need to find out with the particular department you are interested in joining, each can run their reserve force differently.

Reserve officers vary from place to place. If the department you want to be an RO in requires a POST certificate you should have full duties and responsibilities. If it does not you basically have the powers and responsibilities of a security guard in a police uniform. In Savannah our motor pool's NCOIC was also a PT RO for the Chatham County Sheriff's Department. We would see him on patrol all the time; when he retired he went full time. I'm fairly certain (though not completely) that here in Phoenix ROs pay for their kit, but have no police powers and don't get paid. It's one of the ways to convince PHX PD to sent you to the academy.

Is it relatively easy to get in?

Assuming I get back into the Marines, as an officer what do you think my chances are? ? ?

usmcmidn wrote:Is it relatively easy to get in?

Assuming I get back into the Marines, as an officer what do you think my chances are? ? ?

Again, the only real answer is "it depends". The only answer worth anything will come from the particular department. Look over their website and ask around.

d-usa wrote:

usmcmidn wrote:Is it relatively easy to get in?

Assuming I get back into the Marines, as an officer what do you think my chances are? ? ?

Again, the only real answer is "it depends". The only answer worth anything will come from the particular department. Look over their website and ask around.

Well thanks always had a respect for police and would love to be a police officer one day.

Being a reserve officer is a fun thing. Know a couple guys who have done it, and my dad is currently a reserve deputy in Indiana.

Didn't mean to sound rude, and I am sorry if I did. Your duties, requirements, and difficulty getting accepted really just depends on individual departments.

My county is fairly competitive as far as reserve officers are concerned. It requires 8 months of training (same as full time deputies, but done in the evenings and weekends) and at least $2,000 in out of pocket expenses for equipment. You buy the gun, the body armor, handcuffs, pretty much everything except the uniform. I guess it is a good way to make sure that people are actually dedicated enough and not in it for the shiny badge.

Its all good. Thanks for the answer.

If I remember right, around here, the only thing they can't do is arrest people, they have to call in an officer. They also have to have like a year of experience with a training officer before they can go out on their own.

Mostly when I see them, they are on either in pairs, or with a full time cop to provide assistance at night. That way they only have to pay 3-4 cops instead of the usual 8.

I'm confused. If you are in the Marines, especially as an officer, how the heck are you intending to be a decent officer in the USMC and have time for an outside job at all?

I just don't see that working out for you. I know as a company commander in the Army, there was no way in hell one of my platoon leaders could have taken on a part time job outside of the Army.

Having three years a platoon leader (two tank and one recon platoon) and another three as a company commander (two companies) and having been a staff officer, there was no way I could have found time for another job.

Well Jake, I was not an officer b4, I now am trying to get into the officer program.

Now if i do get in and complete my training I will try to do it. Maybe not right away but I do want to become one.

My cousin had an outside job and he was a very successful active duty officer in the Marines so no offense to you but one CAN do it if they put your mind at it. He is still married and has child on the way. However he is no longer a Marine and got out as a O3. His second job was in translation I think. My old CO also regularly volunteered at his local church which ate up most of his time too, he also is married with a son.

I truly believe a person can do w.e. they put their mind too and have seen first hand what people in the military can do, if you are a CC I am sure you have seen guys under you do some great things too. Some things (a lot), stupid I bet.

I am not trying to be disrespectful in anyway, please do not think that if you are. I am telling my feelings on the subject and am gathering information on possibilities in my (hopefully) future officer career. Think of it as getting intel.

Again thanks for all the help guys who have answered and gave their input.

I'm not offended in any way,and wish you the best of luck, both in geting into the officer program and in managing your time.

usmcmidn wrote:Well Jake, I was not an officer b4, I now am trying to get into the officer program.

Now if i do get in and complete my training I will try to do it. Maybe not right away but I do want to become one.

My cousin had an outside job and he was a very successful active duty officer in the Marines so no offense to you but one CAN do it if they put your mind at it. He is still married and has child on the way. However he is no longer a Marine and got out as a O3. His second job was in translation I think. My old CO also regularly volunteered at his local church which ate up most of his time too, he also is married with a son.

I truly believe a person can do w.e. they put their mind too and have seen first hand what people in the military can do, if you are a CC I am sure you have seen guys under you do some great things too. Some things (a lot), stupid I bet.

I am not trying to be disrespectful in anyway, please do not think that if you are. I am telling my feelings on the subject and am gathering information on possibilities in my (hopefully) future officer career. Think of it as getting intel.

Again thanks for all the help guys who have answered and gave their input.

I think what Jake is trying to tell you is something I'll second (if I run of course then say so Jake). As an active duty Lieutenant your CO is going to run you ragged teaching you how to be an effective officer doesn't end when you commision. In addition to your regular duties, presumably as a PL, You also get to play the Golden Bar Roundup. Which is basically where the BC has things he needs to put someone in charge of, but isn't particularly worried about who: that list is endless. Expect to have your additional duties take up at least as much time as your regular implied and specified duties as a leader. If you have enough spare time as a junior officer to work a second job, you aren't doing something. If I were you I'd put this plan on a backburner, not forever, just until you've adjusted to being commissioned and at your first assignment for 6 months. If you feel you have enough time then: shoot the moon.

Well I wouldnt do it right away, again its always been something I would like to do. Being a PL would come first. I understand that.

Again thx.