Hello to Everyone!

My name's Yevgeni and I'm a non-LEO but rather doing my research into a career path that I'll be proud of and challenged by, just like my current Army service. My contract is coming up on its end in 2 months and I thought hard about it. But decision was made and here I am. I'm naturalized citizen, 34 y.o., divorced, no kids, solid credit record, originally from Ukraine, have a foreign BA in Business Administration, speak Ukrainian-Russian and sort of live an Army-nomadic-lifestyle at this point, currently out of Ft.Bliss, TX, 4 years in the Army, still holding a Secret clearance, have two deployment tours as an 11B-Light Infantry, no problems or blemishes on my military record and I always tried to put myself up for a challenge, that is militarily.

Basically, my plan of action, so to speak, go ahead with pursuing Master's degree, taking GRE test and shoot for major in Public Administration, or International Business-MBA, or CJ, and get a decent grip on academic writing, reports, so I don't end up looking ridiculous out there. My ultimate goal is to be a part of Alphabet-soup type LE agancies - DEA, ATF, SWAT, FBI, and being able to do something meaningful in my life. My understanding is that a process may take a hot minute while I'll be on stand-by, so might as well utilize my GI Bill and make myself more competitive. Or should I start at a different level - State Trooper - and then work my way into the "soup realm". Just trying to map out the road and be prepared for my transition.

Thanks for taking your time and reading all of this. And I'll keep on reading your forum and asking questions, as I roll along, trying to make an educated choice about transitioning into state and school, and the final stage of applying for the actual selection. I will appreciate your input.

Good morning,welcome to Police Link from Southern Missouri.A B.A. in business is a fine start and a Masters in Public Administration is fantastic.That is what many agencies prefer (and require) for their Depuuty Chiefs and Chiefs.Please be advised that SWAT is not a federal agency,it simply means strategic weapons and tactics.Most larger police,sheriffs depts, and state patrols have said special units although most are no longer called S.W.A.T. Some are S.R.I. Special Services,E.R.T. or E.R.U. ,etc. etc.Much good luck in your future endeavors.You should have no problem with you degree and Army service.

 Welcome to PL from PA.

 Welcome to PolieLink from southeastern Pennsylvania. Best of luck as you pursue your dreams.

Welcome to PL from Austria in Europe!

ssu459 says ...

Good morning,welcome to Police Link from Southern Missouri.A B.A. in business is a fine start and a Masters in Public Administration is fantastic.That is what many agencies prefer (and require) for their Depuuty Chiefs and Chiefs.Please be advised that SWAT is not a federal agency,it simply means strategic weapons and tactics.Most larger police,sheriffs depts, and state patrols have said special units although most are no longer called S.W.A.T. Some are S.R.I. Special Services,E.R.T. or E.R.U. ,etc. etc.Much good luck in your future endeavors.You should have no problem with you degree and Army service.

Thank you, Sir, for taking your time and giving me your input on this situation. I have a follow up, if I may. As far as I'm tracking having prior military experience gives one an extra points over those who don't. However, there are plenty of fine men and women who may or will consider LEO track after they will get out and whatnot, Army's downsizing after all. So what about CPO (Certified Peace Officer) or Security-Special Officer additional skillset (aka a certificate from a community college), will it be REALLY handy to help me facilitate employment with those aforementioned agancies with or w/o the Master's degree? What is your take on this, Sir?  

   Good evening Yevgeni,thanks for your interest and response.With your current degree and your Army experience you have an excellent chance,already.of landing a law enforcement career.In a larger city ,such as where I worked for twenty five years, you will receive extra salary for your Army service as well as your degree.Furthermore you will receive extra points on your entrance exam AND all future promotional  exams.In my city you would also be given extra wages for being bilingual,which you are.Technical colleges are a great deal better than they have previously been in rergard to the selection of subjects,but I doubt if many offer a Masters degree in which yoou were seeking,public Administration.Many larger departments will pay your tuition.This is how I earned my first degree and of course you will have the G.I. bill.Most of the men and women on my job earned their degree and advanced degrees after they came on the job.You're correct about community colleges,that is where the vast majority of us earned our degrees..Some of the things I speak of are dependant upon the area of the country in which you plan to settle.

ssu459 says ...

   Good evening Yevgeni,thanks for your interest and response.With your current degree and your Army experience you have an excellent chance,already.of landing a law enforcement career.In a larger city ,such as where I worked for twenty five years, you will receive extra salary for your Army service as well as your degree.Furthermore you will receive extra points on your entrance exam AND all future promotional  exams.In my city you would also be given extra wages for being bilingual,which you are.Technical colleges are a great deal better than they have previously been in rergard to the selection of subjects,but I doubt if many offer a Masters degree in which yoou were seeking,public Administration.Many larger departments will pay your tuition.This is how I earned my first degree and of course you will have the G.I. bill.Most of the men and women on my job earned their degree and advanced degrees after they came on the job.You're correct about community colleges,that is where the vast majority of us earned our degrees..Some of the things I speak of are dependant upon the area of the country in which you plan to settle.

Good evening to you also, Sir. I do realize that education is important,  and my primary motivation is to brush up on my writing and public speaking type deal. Alter all, at the end of the day it's what you know, your skillset and how good you are at it - practical experience - than just a piece of paper stating that you've got that diploma (and sometimes people get it from "on-line diploma mills" just to put a check mark on their resume. No offence should be taken by those who did). To be frank, my diploma is not from a local university, however Army and other universities do recognize it and it was evaluated as an American equivalent of BA, but I wasn't the most motivated student in the pack at that time, to put it mildly. I got it in Ukraine in 2000.

Appreciate you for sharing your story and for the advice. Not to complain, but I do get little worrisome about transitioning from the Army and being without a job, I have nothing lined up so far and the clock is ticking. We've just got back from a 10 month rotation in Afghanistan this July and I should've been little more proactive about this whole business and mapping out my future road. No complains or regrets though, attitude and motivation is my everything. :-)

Thanks again for your input!

 Howdy and warm greetings from south of Hotlanta.  I wish you the best in your future endeavors.

SuzanneNGa says ...

 Howdy and warm greetings from south of Hotlanta.  I wish you the best in your future endeavors.

just gotta zero in my iron sights first and then gonna go for it, speaking metaphorically.  :)

jk, thanks though!

Yevgeni, welcome to PL from the midwest and thank you for your service.  Might also consider CIA as a translator, if that sort of thing interests you.