I'm thinking about studying criminology and wondering if there are military jobs where this knowledge would be useful. Does anyone have experience or advice on this?
In the military, there are several positions where a degree in criminology can be very useful. The skills and knowledge acquired from studying criminology such as understanding crime patterns, analyzing behavior, and investigating crime scenes can be beneficial to different military roles.
A prime example would be working in the Military Police (MP) or investigative roles. The MP often plays roles similar to civilian police and works to maintain law, order, and discipline. They deal with crimes such as theft, assault, and other violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Their duties include patrol, response, control, and detainment operations.
In addition, the military branches have investigative units, such as the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID), and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI). Personnel in these units conduct more advanced criminal investigations, typically of offenses committed by those within their respective branches, and they often collaborate with civilian law enforcement agencies. Your knowledge of criminology would be essential in these roles.
Also, the knowledge gained in criminology about human behavior and societal structures could lend itself well to roles in Military Intelligence, where understanding motivations, predicting behavior, and analyzing patterns are often required.
Remember, specific roles will have different requirements and pathways, so it's worth researching in detail the positions that interest you in the military, and maybe reaching out to a recruiter for more personalized advice.
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