January 28, 2016, by Lizzie Weakley – As a veteran, you may be wondering which academic disciplines best match your military experience and training. Consider these reasons for investigating a degree in criminal justice.
1. Criminal Justice is a Natural Extension of Military Experience
Many veterans often overlook how their military experience provides a sound foundation for a career in criminal justice. Not only are there a host of well-paying jobs in criminal justice, but their experience advances them toward their educational goals through the discipline that was essential to military service and by providing them with the basic elements of the judicial system.
Experience in jobs such as the military police, infantry or intelligence are variations on the practical application of criminal justice degrees. This means that the experienced veteran who completes a criminal justice degree has both experience and education upon graduation, supplying a step up in the job application process.
2. Matching Ideals
The American military defends the rights of the country, just as local laws defend the rights of the individual; the ideals of the criminal justice system and the military are quite similar, particularly as regards respect for the rule of law, enforcement of peace, and defense of those unable to defend themselves. Having these principals in common makes for a natural compatibility between veterans and criminal justice degrees.
3. Learning Military Procedures Provides a Framework for Criminal Justice Procedures
The military excels at teaching the details of their processes to their recruits. It is accepted that success in the military means successfully following rules. Success in navigating the criminal justice system also requires mastery of the necessary processes. A background in having mastered a similar system, gives veterans an advantage that may enable they to learn the new system more easily. Many institutes of higher learning, such as ASA College encourage veteran participation in compatible programs.
4. Military Training is Excellent Preparation for Civilian Training
There are many careers in civilian criminal justice that require a high level of physical training; police force academies are an example of this. The strenuous training that is part of every branch of the military and the associated requirement of constant physical and psychological preparedness make veterans ideally qualified for such positions.
Though veterans can apply their manifold skills set too many degree programs, criminal justice is surely a better match than many options and should be seriously considered.
Author Bio: My name is Lizzie Weakley and I am a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. I went to college at The Ohio State University where I studied communications. I enjoy the outdoors and long walks in the park with my 3 year old husky Snowball.
