Making the Transition from Military to Police Officer

By Dr. Matthew Loux and Bryce Loux  |  05/28/2026

Note: This degree program is not designed to meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in any country, state, province, or other jurisdiction. This program has not been approved by any state professional licensing body and does not lead to any state-issued professional licensure. For further information on professional licensing requirements, please contact the appropriate board or agency in your country, state, province, or other jurisdiction.

For many veterans, law enforcement is a logical career step because they can continue serving their community and utilize many skills they learned as a part of their military experience. For instance, military personnel already have discipline, leadership, and teamwork qualities and can function in high-stress situations. All of these qualities are highly sought in law enforcement.

However, transitioning from military service to civilian life can be challenging and involves a great deal of planning, preparation, and knowledge of how the civilian hiring process works. As a result, programs such as the Department of Defense’s Transition Assistance Program (TAP) offer valuable resources to help servicemembers prepare for this shift.

Why Military Veterans Are a Good Fit for Law Enforcement Agencies

Due to the many similarities between the military and law enforcement, many agencies actively look to recruit veterans who want a second career after separation. Different service branches provide unique skills and experiences that can be valuable in law enforcement roles.

Also, veterans bring numerous skills that make it easier for them to work as law enforcement professionals, such as:

• Discipline and structure
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Crisis management
• Mental and physical endurance
• Dedication to public service

Discipline and Structure

Both servicemembers in the armed forces and law enforcement professionals work with strict guidelines regarding how to work and which supervisors they serve. This discipline and structure make the transition from military service to law enforcement easier for veterans.

Teamwork

Many servicemembers have experience working with leaders and units that require a high level of coordination, so it is easier for them to build strong teams and adapt quickly to law enforcement structures. Similarly, law enforcement officers are accustomed to working in teams with their colleagues, superiors, and other people in responding to 911 calls.

Leadership

Veterans also have leadership experience managing teams and equipment in high-stakes environments. Typically, they are seen as mature individuals due to their leadership training.

Crisis Management

Military servicemembers must often respond to situations where time is of the essence, and they are responsible for reacting in ways that are unpredictable. These situations require a great deal of skill and are also encountered in emergency response. Veterans defending their country's interests are trained to operate effectively under extreme stress and to communicate confidently and concisely, qualities that are essential for effective policing in civilian life.

Mental and Physical Endurance

Working in law enforcement can require a great deal of mental and physical exertion. Typically, veterans have the mental and physical strength to endure such work, due to their military service and rank. Military veterans are also trained to manage emotions effectively, remain calm, and think critically in high-pressure situations, which is crucial in law enforcement roles.

Dedication to Service

Both law enforcement and military servicemembers have the same goal: to serve the community. They share a sense of duty and a strong commitment to keeping others safe.

Potential Career Paths in Law Enforcement

There are numerous areas of law enforcement where military servicemembers can seek job opportunities, such as:

• Patrol officer
• Sheriff’s deputy
• Federal law enforcement agent
• Border protection or customs enforcement officer
• Criminal investigator or detective

Veterans often find military training is a good fit for a role that is tactical or investigative. Over time, they can add to their education and skills to seek more advanced positions within the police force.

Eight Steps for Transitioning from Military to Police Officer

Law enforcement requires a lot of preparation before leaving a military installation, and it is a lot easier when the preparation is done before military service is completed. Future vets interested in a law enforcement career should start researching different law enforcement agencies and their requirements prior to leaving their active-duty military career.

Ideally, a veteran should follow these eight key steps:

1. Research military transition programs
2. Write a civilian resume
3. Understand basic law enforcement criteria
4. Earn a degree
5. Complete the law enforcement application process
6. Undergo a background investigation
7. Complete police academy training
8. Finish field training

Step 1: Research Military Transition Programs

Different military services have set up several transition programs to help veterans go from military to civilian employment. The Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program (TAP) is designed to prepare servicemembers for civilian life. The TAP curriculum, called Transition Goals, Plans, Success (Transition GPS), helps active-duty military servicemembers identify and pursue their career goals.

Step 2: Write a Civilian Resume

Military resumes list rank, missions, and units related to a service branch. By contrast, law enforcement recruiters want to see resumes that demonstrate skills such as:

• Leadership
• Conflict resolution
• Risk analysis
• Emergency response
• Training
• Mentoring
• Oral communication
• Critical thinking and writing

It is important to use civilian language to describe military tasks that convey your suitability for police work to your potential employer. Be sure to highlight key attributes from your military career – such as knowledge, skills, and abilities – in your application materials. The Verification of Military Experiences and Training (VMET) form is required to verify your military experience and training for civilian job applications.

Step 3: Understand Basic Law Enforcement Criteria

Each law enforcement agency has its own basic criteria for applicants. While the requirements differ from place to place, a lot of standards such as U.S. citizenship, the minimum age, education level, and no criminal background stay the same.

Veterans should designate all military records and discharge papers as part of the application process. Military credits are often given to veterans applying for law enforcement positions, which can enhance their interview scores.

Step 4: Earn a Degree

Local police departments may not require a college degree. However, earning a degree can be useful in providing additional education that is useful in law enforcement or for individuals preparing to seek advancement opportunities.

Earning a degree in criminal justice or a related field can strengthen your qualifications. For a criminal justice academic program, you may often take courses in:

• Criminal law
• U.S. law enforcement
• Corrections
• Criminal investigation

The Yellow Ribbon Program helps reduce out-of-pocket expenses for veterans seeking additional education.

Step 5: Complete the Law Enforcement Application Process

The law enforcement application process is lengthy and very competitive, and it can take months to complete. Applicants must fulfill different requirements, such as:

• Completing an application
• Interviewing with a panel of interviewers
• Taking medical and psychological exams (including a polygraph or similar test)

In some cases, law enforcement agencies award veterans’ points on the application. The COPS Office supports military veterans through the COPS Hiring Program (CHP), which began in 2012. CHP allocates additional consideration to applicants committing to hire or rehire military veterans.

Step 6: Undergo a Background Investigation

A thorough background investigation is part of the law enforcement hiring process. This step involves the assessment of the applicant’s criminal background, employment history, references, and finances.

Step 7: Attend a Police Academy

After passing other requirements, officer candidates are given an offer and scheduled to participate in police academy training. Academy completion is typically part of the expectations for veterans, despite any prior military police experience, due to certification requirements. 

Once chosen, new police officers will begin the required training. In some law enforcement departments, veterans can receive GI Bill housing allowances during their police academy training.

Step 8: Complete Field Training

Once the police academy coursework is completed, the new police officer begins a field training program. Field training consists of learning the policing duties of the job while partnered with a training officer. It often lasts several months before training officers can perform patrols without partners.

The Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice at AMU

For students interested in studying criminal justice, American Military University (AMU) offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. For this degree program, adult learners may enroll in courses such as criminal profiling, crime analysis, and U.S. law enforcement. Other courses offered in this B.A. in criminal justice include the criminal legal process, constitutional law, and criminal law.

This bachelor’s in criminal justice offers four concentrations:

• Organizational law enforcement leadership
• Entrepreneurship
• General
• Maritime law enforcement

For more information, visit AMU’s criminal justice degree program page.