Transitioning Out of the Military? Casinos & Hotels Need Security Officers

There’s no doubt that jobs are tough to find, especially for military vets whose unemployment rate hovers around 12 to 15 percent.

While special training programs abound for those transitioning out of the service, if you’re out of uniform and can’t find work, the unemployment rate for you is 100 percent. Things get really tough if you have a family to support. 

 

Fortunately, there is one sector of the economy that’s doing fairly well—hotels and casinos. If you're just coming out of the military and you don't yet have your college degree, you might consider working as a Security Officer in a casino or casino hotel.  Jobs are available in many cities across the country, as well as on luxury cruise ships. 

 

To get in line for one of these jobs, you'll need at least a high school diploma or the equivalent (GED) and an Honorable Discharge from the military. 

 

The good news is that, in many cases, in house, on-the-job training is usually provided. Training requirements vary from state to state, so be sure to acquaint yourself with them. Some states or casinos will have you complete an in-service course to keep you up to date in the security field or gaming regulations. If you’re assigned to carry a firearm, you'll need to complete a firearms training course, usually involving both classroom instruction and several hours on a firing range.

You'll probably start out on the graveyard shift—not bad if you're going to college during the day. Some community colleges, universities, and vocational technical schools offer courses for Security Officers interested in working in casinos and casino hotels. You might consider taking these if you chose to advance in the security field.

If you’ve ever served on guard duty, being a security officer should come second nature to you. There are some differences, though. For one, you’ll have to use some civilian tact in dealing with guests. And there may be some newer high tech security equipment you’ll have to acquaint yourself with. The typical duties of a Security Officer working in a casino, hotel or cruise ship might include:

To find a job in a hotel or casino security, check the local papers. In addition, you can call the casino you're interested in to get their job hotline number. These provide updated messages indicating which jobs are available. 

Yes, times are tough for transitioning military, but there are employment opportunities if you look for them. You simply have to improvise, adapt and overcome.