12 Jobs You Can Get in the Military With a Criminal Justice Degree

Criminal justice majors often pursue law enforcement jobs like corrections and probation officers. However, these career options with law enforcement agencies are only some of the opportunities available. The military provides additional criminal justice career opportunities.

Military bases have law enforcement officers who serve the roles of police officers and correctional officers. These positions have the same educational requirements as civilian law enforcement and criminal justice jobs.

Completing a degree in criminal justice allows you to pursue specialized careers in the military and attend Officer Training School to earn commissioned officer status.

Top Military Careers for Criminal Justice Degree Holders

The military branches offer many specialized career paths that allow service members to use their education to serve their country. The criminal justice field is represented in the military through multiple career opportunities on bases and in federal law enforcement.

1. Military Police Officer

Military police officers serve a similar role to their civilian counterparts on military bases as opposed to cities or towns. These police officers monitor criminal activity on or around military installations. They also work with local law enforcement teams for joint training and intelligence missions. Military police officers must be officers and a criminal justice bachelor's degree is a common choice.

2. Criminal Investigator

Criminal investigators in the military take on multiple roles ranging from forensic science technicians to victim advocates. Military law can include similar criminal cases that civilian investigators face, but there are also larger issues including potential homeland security threats. Criminal investigators collect evidence and compile cases for military lawyers or judge advocates.

3. Security Forces Officer

Security forces officers are responsible for the security measures at military bases and installations, including nuclear and conventional weapons systems. These officers coordinate security measures to protect the people and materials on these bases. Security forces officers work with military police officers to identify and stop threats when possible.

4. Special Agent

Special agents work in law enforcement at the federal level. These agents work in the field performing investigations and in office settings reviewing evidence and filing reports. Military special agents will develop skills to help them transition to work as FBI agents or with civilian police departments after their service ends.

5. Counterintelligence Agent

Homeland security has become one of the top priorities of federal criminal justice professionals since the early 21st century. Counterintelligence agents identify threats from terrorists, foreign espionage agents, and other rogue actors and perform counterattacks to stop these acts before they jeopardize American lives. These agents can work within individual military branches protecting bases or at the federal level protecting governmental assets.

6. Force Protection Officer

Force protection officers are responsible for counterterrorism. These officers are responsible for threat identification and assessment. FPOs protect units by neutralizing these threats. These agents are similar to Security Forces Officers, but their roles extend into field capacities while most SFOs work on or in military bases.

7. Military Justice Specialist

Military justice specialists are called Judge Advocates. These officers work in the Judge Advocate Generals Corps and serve as the lawyers of the military justice system. Most criminal justice positions in the military only require a bachelor's degree. Judge Advocates are lawyers and must earn the same advanced college degrees as civilian lawyers, most commonly Juris Doctor.

8. Law Enforcement Instructor

Military law enforcement often requires special training beyond the skills learned in a criminal justice degree program. Law enforcement instructors serve to train the new generation of military law enforcement with the specialized training they need. These positions are available on bases and at the various military academies.

9. Anti-Terrorism Specialist

Anti-terrorism specialists train in international law to combat terrorism while maintaining the safety of domestic and foreign civilians. These roles combine counterintelligence, force protection officers, and intelligence officers. Anti-terrorism specialists work on a global scale and are required to earn additional security clearances compared to some other positions.

10. Military Customs Officer

Military bases and installations receive cargo and guests daily. The cargo and guests must go through customs. Military customs officers inspect and evaluate everything and every person that comes on or off a military base for the base and national security. These officers run background checks and thoroughly inspect any material delivered, especially from non-military sources.

11. Intelligence Analyst

Intelligence analysts work with federal agents and intelligence officers in multiple military branches to review and identify threats. These agents are also responsible for compiling reports on terrorist cells and foreign governments that are or could become threats. These reports are used by high-level decision-makers when creating military strategies and foreign policy plans.

12. Emergency Management Specialist

Emergency management specialists work with federal agencies to respond to natural disasters and terrorist attacks. Most emergency management specialists work in public health or social work. However, there is a law enforcement component to these response teams. Military law enforcement officers work to maintain order and prevent fraud in these challenging times. They also work in security roles protecting equipment and materials.

FAQs About Military Careers for Criminal Justice Degree Holders

Criminal justice degrees are commonly used in civilian careers, but there are many career opportunities in the military. Graduates of criminal justice degree programs might have questions about how their degree can be used to serve their country.

Is a Criminal Justice or Criminology Degree Better for the Military?

Neither degree is better overall, but each is better for certain career paths. Criminal justice degrees study law enforcement and the system of laws, while a criminology major studies the thought processes of criminals, such as their behaviors and backgrounds.

Roles like a military police officer will benefit more from a criminal justice degree while victim advocates and FBI agents will benefit more from a criminology degree.

Is the Military Part of the Criminal Justice System?

The military is subject to many of the same laws as the larger American criminal justice system, but military law is its system. The military legal system has judges and lawyers. Its trial system is independent of civilian courts.

Is a Criminal Justice Degree Good for Becoming a Navy Intelligence Officer?

A criminal justice degree teaches many skills that will be good for a Naval Intelligence Officer. However, there is no specific degree requirement for this role. Intelligence officers must have a bachelor's degree, but students have choices when selecting a field of study.