Austin Area TW Chapter (all gens welcome, even T4Rs; heck, just make it a Toyota and we're good)

True statement.
You may not have to have a degree for a career in LE but it will help open a lot more doors. Get One!

 

You might want to verify that. CG does require a 8 year initial contract. But I think for active duty it's 4 years AD and 4 years IRR -- which it not the same as Active Reserve

 

I see your from thorndale! We scrimmaged yall in football last year and whooped up on em XD (sorry for the irrelevant post) any who, the plan is to go to blinn then transfer to a&m CSTAT and get my major in criminal justice

 

Nothing wrong with Reserves - there are a LOT of legal protections for reservists. Reach out to @ForeRunner if you have USCG questions - he's a salty old Chief.

 

I think thats what he told me! if you dont mind me asking whats the difference between the two?

 

Was he saying 4 years active reserves or inactive reserves? Not the same things.

 

he didnt really clarify... he was super pushy about me signing on

 

he and i are still in contact, he told me if blinn doesn't work out to just head on out his way to San Antonio and "we'll get me signed on up" XD, which im fine with I refuse to be one of those small town hang arounds that drops out and comes back to live with their mom

 

on a side note, does anybody know of any TW meetups going on at the coast during spring break?

 

Pretty sure there is one in Padre

 

Don't limit yourself with just a CJ degree. You may want to think about a degree in another field.
The LE departments that I'm aware of that require a degree for a job or advancement just want the degree, they don't care what field it is in.

Get a degree that you can use if LE does not work out for you. A LE career is not for everyone and there is no shame in saying "This shit is not for me" and moving on.

 

Best cops I've known had sociology, psychology, or social work degrees.

 

That's the same thing I've heard from multiple LEO's I've talked to and done ride alongs with. My uncle who is a Sgt. with major offenders at HPD (houston) advised me of the same thing as well, I was thinking a Specialized Psych major like Behavioral Psychology so i could work with at risk teens in larger districts
Edit: if the whole cop thing doesnt work out

 

IRR you go about your business as usual. You don't report to anyone or are really obligated in any way, with the exception of maintaining your own health and fitness. You just have to be prepared in case you get a phone call. They still own you and if they decide they want you back you have to go. Active Reserve means you're reporting every month and are obligated to do 12 days of active duty training (ADT) a year. Basically, part time active duty.

 

thats totally do-able then! I was under the impression that after the 4 years active duty, I'd have to do another 4 years of Active Reserves.

 

@hookembevo found this guy while browsing TW figured I'd send him this way... Not quite sure how other than to "@" him.

 

Active Reserve is a pretty good gig btw. Especially coming directly from AD. You already have all your quals so you only have to maintain them (sometimes easier said than done) and maintain your health and fitness. Good health insurance. Guaranteed monthly income. Retirement plan. TSP. GI bill. You can live wherever you please and many smaller stations are flexible with your schedule -- as long as you get your weekend in, or make it up later. Larger stations (or like the Port Security Unit I was attached to at one point) have stricter requirements because of organized training evolutions

 

Does AD pay well for a 20 something person? and I'm assuming the Inactive duty doesn't pay at all?

 

No 5's since Nimitz back in WW2

 

AD can pay very well. Especially if you're single and get a couple promotions. You have to look at it in terms of benefits though. On the surface it may not look that great. But when you consider free health care, housing allowance and such, it works out pretty well. Active Reserve you still get paid for your time -- which works out to a few hundred a month depending on rank. Inactive Reserve you don't get dick