"Friendly Fire" of Sorts

[Guardian Angel]

Ex- military/law enforcement S/Os vs. non- military/law enforcement S/Os.

First and foremost let me say this... This thread is in NO WAY intended to be a military/law enforcement bashing thread... just discussion.

To those security officers that have NO military nor law enforcement experience...

Do you find yourself constantly competing against... and losing to... former military/law enforcement S/O's for highier paying positions?

Do you find yourself doing the same exact work, have the same exact title, and maybe even more "post specific experience", but making less money than the ex- military/law enforcement S/Os that are "newbees"?

If so, what are your feelings about this? How are you handling it? What have you done/are doing/will do... to better your odds?

From what I've seen in the security company I work for not only are former military/law enforcement S/O's getting the highier paying positions, but they're even getting paid more than non- military/law enforcement S/Os working the same position, holding the same title and having the same responsibilities.

Now with that said, I've been a non commissioned security officer for just over two years (as of July)... within my first 17 months with this security company (this is the 2nd one) I've received 3 raises and a promotion so I make more than alot of the other officers of the same rank, but I find myself banging my head against the wall when it comes to making significant income increases and as I said, the ex- military/law enforcement S/Os seem to be getting the "good jobs".

So to give myself at least a fighting chance, I've decided to acquire additional training, certifications, and licenses. So far I already had Highrise Fire Safety certification and Basics of Fair Housing Certification... and since August I've obtained BasicPlus CPR, AED, and First Aid for Adults Certification, Bloodborne Pathogens certification, and Level III (commissioned officer) certification.

I'm also going after:

Level III Continuing Education: Private Investigator License
PediatricPlus CPR, AED, and First Aid for Children, Infants, and Adults Certification
Advanced First Aid Supplement Certification
Oxygen First Aid Supplement Certification
OC Pepper Spray Certification
Baton Certification
Teaser Certification

Anti-Terrorism/Weapons of Mass Destruction Training
Bomb Threat Training
Cultural Diversity/Sensitivity
Supervisor & Advanced Supervisor Training
Advance Report Writing Training.
Registrant/Manager Training

Level IV Training:
Personal Protection Officer License
Concealed Handgun License
Self & Defense of Third Party Training
Driving & Close Quarter Weapons Training
Advanced PPO Certification: Coordinate & Plan Protection Detail Training

Bail Enforcement Agent/Bail Fugitive Recovery Agent License (Bounty Hunter License)

I'm hoping these credentials will make me a highly competitive applicant and open up a whole new world of interesting and high paying opportunities.

So what's yall's story?

[Black Caesar]

You're doing a good thing for yourself by training up useful skills. It'll serve you well.

In my job we (like most police departments) give hiring preference to ex-military, even if the military service had noting to do with Law Enforcement or Security (military police ect). I never minded at all, even in the beginning when I was a reserve and got passed over for a full time spot when they hired a veteran. Wanted to be full time, but oh well, I was making it just fine.

I simply cannot bring myself to begrudge a man for reaping the benefit of his National (military) service, even if things don't go my way. Nor should anyone begrudge someone because they benefit from their Public (Law Enforcement) Service.

One guy who I trained is now my Lieutenant. Before coming to the College Police, he was Chief Deputy Sheriff in the county he lived in (VERY rural county, he made something like $9 per hour as friggin #2 man in the department). That experience trumps my pittly lil time as a small town cop lol. Sure, I could have gotten pissed off that I wasn't offered the position (which I didn't want and didn't apply for, not worth it, I make more than a LT ) because I'd been a campus cop for 6 years and he was new to campus policing, but that would have been petty on my part. I don't do petty.
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One guy I worked with a Wackenhut was a USO when I and another guy came in as CPOs. I was a reserve cop and the other guy was a retired Army Sgt 1st Class. One night the USO confides in me that "he doesn't mind" that I'm a CPO (oh how generous) because I had more security experience than him in addition to being a reserve, but he didn't understand what "entitled" the other guy to be a CPO when he was "just" in Signal Corps in the Army.

As nicely as I could, I told him to go spend 20 years in this country's Army, then come back and tell me about entitlements.....

Does any of this mean they (ex police/military) are better S/Os? Hell No, and Merit + Job specific training should count for something..

It just means they (ex-military/police) paid their dues, to all of us.....

[dsoul27]

ever think that us prior military guys might of had some extra training then a standard guard?
If you don't like it, join a service and put in some time. then you might understand. allot of that training that you listed that you WANT to get, I had in the military quarterly or yearly. just admit to yourself that the ex military guys just might have more training then yourself. Don't complain, do your training and bust your ass and you'll move up.

[EH126]

In addition to serving in the armed forces or the LE community; you could also get college in something related to security, like criminal justice for one thing. In addition to your other skills, an associates or better from a certified college could really help you.

[gcmc security part 2]

ever think that us prior military guys might of had some extra training then a standard guard?
If you don't like it, join a service and put in some time. then you might understand. allot of that training that you listed that you WANT to get, I had in the military quarterly or yearly. just admit to yourself that the ex military guys just might have more training then yourself. Don't complain, do your training and bust your ass and you'll move up.

Not all prior military guys have any extra training then the "standard" officer. Matter of fact I have worked with some prior military guys that are plan useless. There are some people that the most they know about guarding something from the military is Fire Watch in Boot Camp. Some Military personnel do nothing in the likes of what we do as Security Officers, and before you make some comment about doing some time. I am a 10 year Marine Corps Infantry veteran with 2 combat tours.

With all that, most of what I do in Security has absolutely nothing to do with what I did in the Crotch. About the only thing useful is my sense of bearing and stubbornness to make my uniform look as best as possible. Sure some of my leadership traits as well. But are those things that any officer couldn't achieve those?

No.

Guardian Angel,

You are off to a great start. I am kinda of in the same boat as you. I have a desire to one day get into a good Corporate job, but I know most of those look for a college degree. I'm never going to make it back to college, just not in my future. To offset that, I am getting as much professional education as possible. I have become certified by IAHSS as a Certified Healthcare Security Officer. Next I am taking IFPO's Certified Protection Officer, and I am planning on getting ASIS's Physical Security Specialist (eventually CPP when I qualify).

Those are 3 of the main organizations related to industry. Check them out.

[dsoul27]

^^^^^ good for you...