An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Oct. 31, 2018

Citizen-Warrior: Military, police work go hand-in-hand for Guard member

By Tech Sgt. Erich B. Smith National Guard Bureau

ARLINGTON, Va. – Air Force Staff Sgt. Rodrigo Acosta, a security forces specialist with the Arizona Air National Guard's 162nd Wing, said he felt fortunate to belong to an Arizona-based unit when he deployed to Kuwait last summer. While others suffered through adjusting to Kuwait's triple-digit temperatures, for Acosta and others from his unit the temps weren't too different from home.

Even though his unit had to deal with heat-related issues, "we still felt we had it a little bit better than troops from the East Coast because we were Arizonans," he said.

The experience showed how one part of his life would prepare him for something else, similar to how his current military position paved the way for a career as a civilian police officer with the Tucson Police Department.

"I always thought law enforcement and the military went hand-in-hand with each other [because] it's all about keeping people safe," he said.

Acosta said his interest in law enforcement began as a kid watching movies.

"The lights, the sirens, the cop cars, the uniform, getting the bad guy and the excitement and thrill of it all – it really got my attention," he said. "I just knew I wanted to be a cop."

But to fulfill his boyhood dream of being in law enforcement, Acosta had to be 21 years old. So shortly after high school, he enlisted in the Air Guard as a way to develop the skills and abilities necessary to become a successful police officer.

"Being in the military did make my time easier at the police academy in having that leg up, and making me feel comfortable using the skills and maneuvers within a team operation," he said.

While Acosta's military duties are mostly confined to base security, he said security forces training – from searching vehicles, dealing with potentially hostile individuals, clearing buildings and preparing for active shooters – have provided an additional layer of knowledge that can be applied to his civilian law enforcement career.

"My military background helps [the civilian side] as far as those tactics," he said. "It made me feel more prepared than somebody who has not gone through security forces training."

Acosta added that his civilian training and experiences in first aid and CPR have not only given him additional skills he could use when on military duty, but also has allowed him to assume greater leadership roles within his squadron.

"Working in the civilian side has provided me with real-life situations where medical care had to be used," he said. "Therefore, I use the knowledge that I have gained from those experiences to mentor other Airmen."

But it's the common traits of both positions, Acosta said, that make him feel indispensable.

"Both jobs have the same mindset when it comes to teamwork and building trust among your comrades," he said.

Though he relishes both of his positions, Acosta said that equal dedication to the Air Guard and the police is a precursor to job satisfaction and career progression.

"I don't give preference to one job over the other," he said. "If I was doing that, I'd start to fall back and never feel a sense of accomplishment with anything."

Now, roughly a year into his career as a police officer, Acosta said the preconceived visions of being a cop from the movies he saw as a kid have been replaced with something more profound.

"As I got older, I realized it's a bigger responsibility," he said. "It's more about helping people who can't help themselves."

Acosta had a similar feeling for the Air Guard side.

"Security forces is contributing to the Air Force's warfighting capabilities because of the security that we provide for the pilots and for Airmen who are supporting that mission," he said.

For now, regardless of whether he's wearing a police or Air Force uniform, Acosta said he has no desire to be confined to an office setting.

"I can't see myself sitting behind a desk at all," he said. "I think I would fall asleep. Law enforcement and security forces always keeps me on my toes."

 

 

Related Articles
Tech. Sgt. Franklin Angel, 105th Airlift Wing production recruiter, poses for a photo with his two Blue Suit Awards at Stewart Air National Guard Base, New York, April 22, 2025. The Blue Suit Award recognizes the 14 top-performing recruiters from around the world, including those in active duty, the Air National Guard, and the Air Force Reserve.
Meet the New York Air National Guard’s Record-Setting Recruiter
By Senior Airman Sarah Post, | April 23, 2025
STEWART AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.Y. – One recruiter at the New York Air National Guard’s 105th Airlift Wing is standing out from his peers, having recruited more Airmen in 2024 than any other recruiter in the Air Force and...

U.S. Air Force Col. Daniel Martinie, North Carolina Joint Force Headquarters-Air, State Air Surgeon and Staff Sgt. Idris cates, 145th Medical Group, medical technician pose for a photo in an exam room at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport base, March 8, 2025. Martinie is being highlighted for being named one of North Carolina’s best doctors for 2024.
N.C. Surgeon Reflects on Military Medicine, Career and Service
By Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove, | April 23, 2025
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – After nearly three decades of military service and more than 25 years in medicine, Col. Daniel Martinie, North Carolina National Guard Joint Force Headquarters - Air chief flight surgeon, remains committed...

Four Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers conduct a close-quarters battle exchange with members of the Tajik military April 7 - 11, 2025, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The engagement was conducted in support of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, which has connected Virginia and Tajikistan since 2003.
Virginia Army Guard Soldiers, Tajikistan Conduct Battle Exchange Training
By Mike Vrabel, | April 23, 2025
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan  –  Four Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers recently conducted a close-quarters battle exchange training with members of the Tajik military.  The engagement was conducted April 7-11 through the...