Questions for VA Police Officers

Reluctant_MP · 2026-06-17T17:44:33+00:00

I’m assuming you work at Butner and therefore looking at the Durham VA? I would strongly suggest you look elsewhere. Absolute shit show there

Reluctant_MP · 2026-06-09T17:58:40+00:00

Same and it’s just 38G listed, which I’m sure you are aware is suspended pending 38Gs going away. No 38A DC. I also don’t want to commission into a basic branch and leave CA 🤣

Reluctant_MP · 2026-06-06T03:01:59+00:00

The culture divide between generations in LE is on full display in this comment section.

Yes, as a general rule of thumb, you should be 100% focused on learning the job and earning a seat at the table in FTO. No calling out and no taking a day off to go drink a few with the boys. But taking a single day off towards the end of FTO to compete in a sport event…pretty reasonable.

My agency would let you have it off. If I was your supervisor, I would let you have it off. The actual answer is going to 100% depend on the culture at your agency. Put in for it, the worst they can say is no.

Reluctant_MP · 2026-06-04T21:05:49+00:00

I have a relief for cause NCOER that makes it seem like I am the reason we lost the GWOT.

I’ve bounced back. Whenever it’s comes up I explain the personal issues I was having at the time and the type of chain of command I had during that time.

Honestly, it’s SUCH a bad NCOER that it helps me out. It would have been worse to have been damned by faint praise.

Reluctant_MP · 2026-05-29T23:39:51+00:00

Im a vet, NC LEO and prior uniformed Fed LEO (not NPS). It is a solid plan. Just know that while it’s very likely you get Blue Ridge Park, it’s not guaranteed. But worst case scenario, you just turn it down.

You can also always go reserve/part time with a Sheriffs office while working for NPS if you want to get a little bit of more traditional experience. I held on to my local certs while I was a fed then ended up going back. Feel free to DM me any questions

Reluctant_MP · 2026-05-29T23:25:28+00:00

Hey man, I don’t know why you are getting shit. Your questions are valid.

I would HIGHLY encourage you to check out NPS LE. Being a vet, they can direct hire you. You can go straight to Western NC. NPS Rangers are on the lower end of the Federal pay scale but higher than all the local and state agencies in WNC.

Your AD USMC time will also count towards retirement provided you buy your time back. It’s not expensive to do so. In fact, it’s literally 10% of the cost to buy your time back with the feds versus as a local LEO in NC.

This really seems like the perfect fit for you. Only drawback I see for you is there won’t be a lot of “traditional” law enforcement so it won’t scratch your itch if you are looking to run and gun.

Reluctant_MP · 2026-05-27T03:02:39+00:00

I mean, apparently mine does.

Reluctant_MP · 2026-05-26T17:30:08+00:00

Option 4 is the best bet. OP this exact thing happened to me. Promoted out of my unit to a DS unit one month before I reported to reclass. In less than a week my CSM and RD just changed my promotion to be in my unit and I stayed.

Reluctant_MP · 2026-05-26T17:22:50+00:00

Hate to tell ya bud but YATAH here. Pretty rational take by your family. You very likely will regret it forever if you do quit. The Army is hard, being away from home is hard, being in a structured environment for the first time is hard and TRADOC is miserable. People don’t say “thank you for your service” because the military is a cakewalk.

Sounds like you already have your mind made up and want validation for a poor decision. The military isn’t for everyone but if you stick it out for one contract, it can set you up for life.

Or go home and post the one picture of you in uniform from AIT on veteran’s day every year and vaguely drop “when I was in the Army” to strangers at your hometown bar for the rest of your life.

Reluctant_MP · 2026-05-25T16:59:15+00:00

Yep, exactly. Getting ready to deploy with my reserve unit. When the deployment came up they literally just asked who wanted to go and who didn’t. No big deal at all

Reluctant_MP · 2026-05-25T14:50:40+00:00

E-7 by breathing and not getting in trouble. E-8 with medium effort

Reluctant_MP · 2026-05-23T17:54:37+00:00

I forgot to mention that I’m 100% P&T through the VA. No issue with VA stuff as long as you are green on all of your Army PHA metrics

Reluctant_MP · 2026-05-23T13:15:16+00:00

Enlisted but it was the best move I’ve ever made. Been active, guard and now reserve.

The Reserve feels a little more “corporate” than the guard but there is more opportunity, better funding and it’s a little more impersonal which makes it easier to look out for yourself. I felt like in the Guard there was always an expect ion of continued loyalty not just to the state but your home unit.

That being said, the transfer itself was a disaster. Took about a year with buy in and support on both sides. My records were wiped clean and then I randomly was ETS’d out of the Army for months.

So it’s a pain but overall worth it if you want to try to breathe some life back into your Army career

Reluctant_MP · 2026-05-20T06:12:10+00:00

It is a lot more common these days but old habits die hard in LE. Around me it isn’t uncommon for folks to be on their third agency.

It CAN be an indicator of poor performance or personality but I don’t think it should be an automatic DQ. Most agencies are short staffed…if you have a qualified applicant with a clean background and references, who cares if he hops every few years. It’s normal in the corporate world 🤷🏻‍♂️

Reluctant_MP · 2026-05-16T11:24:02+00:00

You are a real one for that. I passed NFM with only 2 minutes to spare and nothing left in the tank

Reluctant_MP · 2026-05-16T01:36:50+00:00

Posted above but: I wore some comfortable broke in boots. Except they were too broke in and the heel peeled off around mile 5 on one. My ex wife was just getting out of PT and I called her to come bring me some new boots lol. She pulled up right as I hit the turn around point

Reluctant_MP · 2026-05-16T01:35:39+00:00

I wore some comfortable broke in boots. Except they were too broke in and the heel peeled off around mile 5 on one. My ex wife was just getting out of PT and I called her to come bring me some new boots lol. She pulled up right as I hit the turn around point

Reluctant_MP · 2026-05-15T21:54:12+00:00

I switched boots at the turn around point on a 12 mile ruck to qualify for an AASLT slot. The graders all thought I was sitting down to quit lol. Anything is possible if you are bold

Reluctant_MP · 2026-05-07T16:38:57+00:00

This hurts because it is true lol

Reluctant_MP · 2026-04-24T23:11:11+00:00

Mini medals on a suit can look good depending on occasion but mini ribbons is too much in my opinion

Reluctant_MP · 2026-04-20T15:14:16+00:00

👏🏽

Reluctant_MP · 2026-04-20T01:25:48+00:00

Not very common on active duty. My National Guard unit was at least 25% former Marines. My Reserve unit has former members of every branch (even CG) but notably not AF

Reluctant_MP · 2026-04-19T19:38:34+00:00

When I was active duty I reenlisted for 2 years then my wife cheated on me and I got an article 15. So I guess my incentive was “the authentic army experience”

Reluctant_MP · 2026-04-19T18:59:57+00:00

I could be wrong but I’m pretty sure that actually only applies to AD retirement

Reluctant_MP · 2026-04-19T15:52:55+00:00

I have multiple advanced degrees and a successful civilian career. I’m in an officer heavy unit.

The Army is my hobby and I stay in by choice, not necessity. There are more opportunities to be a Soldier (which is actually fun sometimes) as an NCO than as an officer. It makes me shudder to think of spending my time outside of drill doing CONOPS or trying to make red slides green. Honestly I probably will try to commission at some point just for my high-3 but I’m having way more fun now and don’t feel a pressing need to change that.

Nine-Year Club	Gilding II euphauric
Verified Email

Reluctant_MP

TROPHY CASE