Is the Coast guard a good career choice and would it be a valuable experience to get into law enforcement?

Question

I am 23 years old with an associates degree in criminal justice, I am planning on finishing my degree however i always wanted to be in the military. Now that I am older I have been thinking of joining the coast guard. I was wondering if this is a good career choice and if it is, should i finish my criminal justice degree before i join or do it while i am in? I was also wondering if the coast guard is good experince for a law enforcement job, hopefully state or federal? If you have been in the coast guard is it a good place to raise a family? I need all the info i can get because as we all know we cant really trust recruiters! Thanks in advance for any and all information!!

Answer 1

Coast guard members are considered federal police officers. They enforce federal laws in US waters.

Answer 2

I can safely say from experience that you'll be better respected having been in the military than in law enforcement. Furthermore, the military will pay for advanced education and there will be more doors open for you when you get out, even if you dont advance your education.

Answer 3

Having been a recruiter for the Marines , I can honestlysay that I never lied to any of my recruits , bent the truth really hard , but never flat out lied . The Coast Guard is an good as any service with the same benefits as any other Military branch. But for you , seeking a later job in law enforcement either state or federal , it is not the one you need to get into your proffession . I would suggest either the Marines ( MP division ) or the navy and the NIS

or the Jag unit , or the CIA . There are far more chances to get where you want to be in the navy or the Marine Corps /

Answer 4

Oh yes.  My neighbor is a Police Sargent and he was with the Coast Guard for a few years.

The Coast Guard is pretty much a Law Enforcement branch of the military, as they enforce US waters.  

You'll deal with drug runners, illegals trying to sneak in, ect.

Answer 5

The Coast Guard could be an excellent career choice. Any military service will benefit you when trying to get a law enforcement officer job. The Coast Guard is a law enforcement agency. You should try to get selected for one of the Coast Guard's law enforcement teams. Among other things, the Coast Guard apprehends modern-day pirates, tracks and arrests drug runners and migrant smugglers, and enforces fisheries conservation laws and vessel-safety regulations. I would recommend finishing your degree before joining. Check out http://www.peaceofficerjobs.com for excellent information about obtaining a law enforcement officer job.

Answer 6

YES. The coast guard is on the front lines of drug enforcement in the US. Many in the USCG have duties that are very close to police duties.