I can't see risking my life, and more than likely getting shot and killed over something I dont agree with in the first place.
First of all, a qualifier or two:
I am a Reserve Officer. This simply means that I do the same thing that full time officers do, part time, without pay. I have been doing this now for almost 10 years.
If you decide to go into law enforcement, you had better be prepared to risk your life. Every day, and every hour of the day you are in uniform, or on duty. You HAVE to be prepared, because you do not know if your next traffic stop, or your next knock on someone's door, or even the next person you contact will be the "one"--the one that turns into a fight for your life.
I have arrested people who have manifested their desire to hurt or kill me or my brother and sister officers, simply because we wear the badge.
I have seen both the best and worst that people have to offer each other--and believe me, you would be surprised at some of the terrible things people can do to each other.
Police work is work, and it fits those who sincerely want to make a difference; to be part of the blue line that stands between good people and those who would do those people harm.
Police work is having an arrest for a shoplifting charge, and having two hours of paper work and follow up behind it.
Police work is listening to a woman refer to you as a "pig", in hearing of her children--then responding to a complaint of something that went "thump" in the night, to the SAME woman's house.
Police work is seeing a vehicle flip, right in front of you; running up to the car and having your heart sink as you see an empty baby seat in the car.
Police work is holding the hand of a man who is busted up from an auto accident; sitting there covered in his blood, and telling him that he'll be OK as you see the life dim from his eyes; keeping a smile on your face as you talk to him as he calls for his wife over and over again while a little part of you dies inside.
Police work is facing the man you just contacted--offering to help him on a deserted road--and seeing the look in his eyes and knowing--KNOWING--that he intends to hurt or kill you, and that your actions will determine if you go home that night--or if you will die like a dog on the side of a road, alone.
But police work is also driving down a residential street at 3:00, knowing that the people in their houses can sleep soundly because you are there to stand watch. It's the reason a kid's eyes light up at your uniform and badge; it's the thanks in a mother's eyes when you bring their child back home.
Soldiering is both different and the same. You will be deployed. You will have officers, both commissioned and non-commissioned appointed over you, and you will follow their lawful orders at all times.
If that lawful order is to pick up every cigarette butt in a mile radius, you will procure the appropriate garbage receptacle and proceed to pick.
If that lawful order is to pack up everything you have in the world and to move overseas on a moment's notice, you will do so, and will do so cheerfully.
If that lawful order is to deploy to a combat area to conduct combat operations, such order being issued from the President of the United States, who is your Commander in Chief, you will deploy.
And, if that lawful order involves you utilizing your issued weapon--or any other weapon available to you--to close with and destroy the enemy, by means of fire, maneuver and shock effect, then you WILL do so.
You see, when you enlist, you will raise your right hand and swear an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, against ALL enemies, foreign and domestic, to bear true faith and allegiance, and to obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the officers appointed over you. This oath, you swear or affirm before Almighty God.
Some of us, including some of those who read these messages on this bulletin board, still get chills from seeing or thinking those words. Why? Because we, as current or former soldiers, sailors, Airmen, Marines, or Coast Guardsmen have dedicated our lives to the protection and preservation of this great Nation, at ALL costs, even unto death.
And, there is a whole new generation of fine young men and women, who right now are engaging the enemy in direct combat who have sworn the same oath. They might have personal thoughts about being deployed or fighting. But when the rubber hits the road, these troops put aside their feelings and pick up their weapons.
We--the members of the United States Armed Forces, both current and former, made the decision and served our Nation with honor. The soil in many countries is stained deeply with the blood of the American fighting man, who has paid the terrible price of the freedoms we enjoy today.
Can you be one of us?
WILL you be one of us?
Are you worthy to be one of us?
Only you have the answer. Make your decision.
Yours,
E.C. Tovar Jr.
Reserve Patrol Officer, Puyallup Tribal Police
former Staff Sergeant, (Infantry/Air Defense), US Army
