From military police to
peace officer


Veteran Friendly employer gives 49th MP Brigade Soldiers new opportunities

Soldier addresses other Soldiers in classroom

Lt. Col. Eric Sharyer, commander of the 49th Military Police Brigade, speaks to his Soldiers during an employer recruiting event at Camp Roberts, Calif., July 16, 2022.

Lt. Col. Eric Sharyer, commander of the 49th Military Police Brigade, speaks to his Soldiers during an employer recruiting event at Camp Roberts, Calif., July 16, 2022.

Story and photos by Sgt. John Stephens
49th Military Police Brigade

July 17, 2022

CAMP ROBERTS, Calif.- U.S. Army Spc. John McMahan, a military police specialist with the 49th Military Police Brigade is one of many Soldiers in the National Guard who struggles with finding a good civilian job while maintaining a military career.

Today is a new day, as 49th Military Police Brigade senior leaders gave McMahan a new opportunity. On July 16, The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation set up a recruiting event for Soldiers just like McMahan.

"This seems like an opportunity I couldn't pass up,” said McMahan. “I'm looking for a good career to get into and this uses my military police experience which I love."

The first step for McMahan to become a correctional officer is to sit for the qualifying exam. There are multiple steps that can take a normal person two years, but McMahan will not have to struggle like them because of his Guardsman status.

Richard Wynne, a background investigator with the Department of Corrections for the state of California, led the presentation at the recruiting event at Camp Roberts during the unit's annual training.

Wynne, a former 49th Military Police Brigade sergeant, sees the value of his military career and wants more people like himself to join his team.

“Less than 7% of veterans are Correctional Peace Officers in the state of California and I am here to fix that.” said Wynne.

Although normally it takes 15 months to hire a new Correctional Peace Officer, the Department of Corrections cuts down that time to 9 months for California National Guardsmen by using their military experience to help streamline the process, Wynne said.

"My intent is to increase the number of veterans in the department. Senior leadership in the California Military Department has teamed with us to make it more efficient for Guardsmen to join our team.

After the presentation, eager Soldiers were encouraged by senior leadership to talk with members of Wynne’s team. 49th Military Police Brigade Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Eric Sharyer was more than happy to give his Soldiers the opportunity to have a new career that was National Guard friendly.

“Our Soldiers have all the right training to be successful at this job. I know some Soldiers struggle with balancing their military and civilian careers. This partnership with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is a win for everyone,” said Lt. Col. Sharyer.

Next for Soldiers like McMahan is an entrance examination to the Correctional Officer Academy. The exam was conducted on-site and Soldiers of the 49th Military Police Brigade should hear back within a few weeks if they passed. If Soldiers have a passing PT score within the last 12 months, the process is expedited to the background check.

“We hire 1,700 Peace Officers every year, and having your DD-214 brings you to the front of the line," said Wynne. "We value the military experience these Soldiers will bring.


For more information about becoming a Correctional Peace Officer go to www.joincdcr.com