Son #2 is attending Blinn with #1 to get enough hours/GPA to transfer to either A&M or Tech, his major right now is "Successful year of Jr. College".

Since he's been gone, he seems to have developed a desire to be a LEO, which would be great, just surprising to some degree. My input was to also consider joining the military during or after school to further develop the craft/experience and develop a wider variety of career paths.

He thinks he want's to major in Criminal Science/Justice, I'm trying to steer him away from that given it's specificity.

What say you LEO's on the military thought and major choice/recommendation?

Charlie

I have no personal experience with either the military or LEO. If he wants to serve has he considered becoming a fireman? Wish I would have considered it looking back.

There is a direct ascensions program for Army CID Here There is a list of acceptable college majors. My daughter is an Army CID Agent.

I would say the major does not matter to become an LEO. I have seen engineering to physical therapy and everything in between. With a nationwide shortage if you son is 20 years and 6 months old he can probably apply at most agencies and have a decent shot of getting hired. I would recommend choosing a field he enjoys. If he gets on now many agencies will pay for the remainder of his college leaving more money in your pocket

I don’t recommend CJ degree. It’s pointless for Leo.

Maybe minor in CJ but major in something like Public Works or Business Admin so if he does go LEO he could move up the ladder a little easier.

I have a BS in Criminal Justice from the finest Criminal Justice school in America. A CJ degree, for the most part, does limit you to the Criminal Justice fields (Law Enforcement, Corrections, Parole, Probation) or Security.

A BA/BS in CJ will help you get in the door with a better, higher paying agency (in some cases about twice as much starting) than someone without a degree. I believe there are 4 departments in Texas that require a Bachelor's Degree, and it can be in any field.

To move up (stars on your collar) in the big departments or the feds get a BS then go to graduate school for a Masters in Criminal Justice Management or Public Administration, or get your law degree. I personally think it is silly to get a law degree and not be an attorney, but you see it in agencies like the FBI.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

My nephew majored in CJ and minored in Arabic. He had planned on trying to go FBI. He has since decided he doesn't want to leave Austin. He did an internship with APD in the fall and graduates from St Edwards in May. Starts the academy on Austin shortly thereafter.

The requirements vary greatly between being a patrol officer and being an investigator. To be a Federal Special Agent you have to have a more specific background then being a patrol officer. The Army CID direct accessions program qualifies you as a Federal 1811 Series Special Agent allowing you to move into any Special Agent position except FBI/DEA which both require you to attend their academy. I would point this out to your son so that he can start thinking in more specific terms.

Zero experience but I would want to be on the Border in some capacity.

2 years community college, get an Associates Degree in Nursing, become a RN

CJ degree is useless, even as a LEO. He needs some kind of Admin or Business degree.

That’s generally true in departments that are not Civil Service. Departments that are Civil Service promote based upon test scores for said rank. Departments that aren’t CS, promote based on the buddy system.

I will agree with most of that, depending on the Civil Service Rules of the particular agency sometimes the promotion is based on a combination of a test score and an oral interview, or the test score and knowledge/skills/experience, etc.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

Yes. We have a written exam only to promote to senior corporal. To promote to Sergeant or Lieutenant, it’s a written exam and 3 day oral interview that conducted by a 3rd party company and you are graded by brass from other like sized departments through the country. That helps eliminate favoritism.

I wish I was a cop.

And the rest of the world is glad you're not.

Why

Only a bad guy wouldn't want me being a cop

Bias.

Look it up.

Yep..........I smell smoke and I look for a fire...................and if it quacks, well..............you know.

Business
psych
Anything but criminal justice
And decide what kind of LE he wants to be

What is stopping you?

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

I wish I wasn't. 7 more months and my dream will come true.

Anything but Criminal Justice. Most police departments dont care what kind of degree you have, so get one thats usable if the police thing doesnt work out, or after retirement.