UNDATED (WJRT) -
(02/20/12) - They volunteer to keep America safe, but what happens when the nation's veterans return from war? Often times, they struggle to make ends meet. But now, there could be help on the way.
The head of the Michigan State Police said military servicemen and women should look to law enforcement as a post-combat career choice. MSP is looking to hire at least 400 troopers statewide.
30-year-old Marcus Garvin retired from the United States Army in 2007 after being hit by a car bomb. Garvin went to Iraq three different times, trained the Marine Corp in hand to hand combat. He also graduated from college with a degree in criminal justice. But even with all of that experience, he still can't find work. "I would love to be a police officer, ideally in a narcotics division. I want to work in Flint, this is where I grew up, this is where they need the most help in Michigan."
Gov. Rick Snyder wants to put more State Police Troopers on the road. It's part of an effort to help out crime stricken cities like Flint and Saginaw. So who better to add to the force, than those who protect and serve at home and abroad.
"I think it's fantastic, there's a lot of people out there with a lot of training, it's going to go to waste, if they can't get into a career like that."
Snyder said looking at veterans first to increase public safety would decrease the number of vets looking for work.
Jeremy Glasstetter of Baker College developed programs to help veterans transition from active duty to college campuses. He believes law enforcement is a perfect fit for military veterans. "They are continually giving back to the community, they are giving back, which they did in the service."
"Now that I have been in the military, given back, I think I owe Flint some of my effort too," Garvin said.
