Alaska State Troopers - The First Response in the Last Frontier
AST is hiring recruits and laterals. Visit the above site for information. Application periods open and close all the time so watch the site for the next process.
Although you have to agree to be moved anywhere in the state, you are very unlikely to be force moved. The huge increase in salary for remote postings makes them competitive to get into. People pull a few years in the villages and come back with so much cash they can buy a new house.
The academy is about 18 weeks long for recruits. You live there and get full pay and benefits.
The lateral academy is 7 weeks long. It's much more laid back and you don't get inspected or yelled at.
The training is first rate. All the equipment you get is brand new. Troopers are issued a Glock 22, Remington 870, and a Colt AR-15.
After training the state will fly you home, and then fly you and your family to your duty assignment. The state will pay to move 2 cars and up to 15,000 pounds of household goods.
You'll start field training and go through it. At the end of it, you will be issued your take home car.
Training posts are in Palmer (Mat-Su Valley about 40 miles northeast of Anchorage), Soldotna (Kenai Peninsula several hours south of Anchorage), and Fairbanks, the second largest city in the state, about 6 hours north of Anchorage. You'll stay at the training post for 2-5 years before you need to make a geographic move.
AST has its own navy, air wing, and ATV fleet.
The troopers have several major divisions. Most well known are the Wildlife Troopers, charged with protecting Alaska's natural resources. Called "Brown Shirts" because of their field uniform, they will use aircraft, ATV's and boats most often.
"Blue Shirts" are the traditional troopers who work the street. There is no legal distinction between the Brown and Blue Shirts. Wildlife troopers may respond to domestic violence and car wrecks.
The troopers are responsible for Search and Rescue in the state. I've been on ATV's and helicopters looking for people.
There are opportunities to live and work all over the state. If you have a pilot's license, or are willing to get one, you will have lots of opportunities to fly for the department.
Troopers have a wide range of activity they are responsible for. You are the first responder, the crime scene investigator, and the primary investigator.
The pay is great, and the benefits are good. Better than most of the country.
