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As a service member, your job is more than a job. It’s a lifestyle. Your job contributes to a mission that is larger than you. Your job requires dedication to this mission and service to your country.
When you leave the military, after either 4 years or 22 years, you don’t want to leave that lifestyle. You want to take the best of military life – the community, the service and the lifestyle – with you into the next chapter of your life.
Enter the Florida Highway Patrol.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers and veterans have a lot in common, but most importantly both realize that protecting and serving is not a job, it’s a lifestyle.
The Florida Highway Patrol is actively seeking military applicants, specifically military personnel and veterans. FHP gives employment preference to applicants who have 2 years of continuous U.S. military service with an honorable discharge. Employment preference is also available to spouses of veterans.
Am I Qualified to Be a Florida Highway Patrol Trooper?
Here are the minimum requirements for FHP applicants. Applicants must be:
- 19 years or older
- U.S. or naturalized citizen
- possess a valid driver’s license
- have a high school diploma or a general equivalency diploma
- willing to serve anywhere in the state of Florida
Florida Highway Patrol does not have minimum or maximum height limits. People of all heights are encouraged to apply. But the applicant’s weight must be proportional to his or her height.
Regarding vision, applicants must have minimum correctable vision of 20/30, with normal color distinguishing capabilities and 140-degree field of vision.
Veterans interested in continuing a lifestyle of service after the military should consider joining the Florida Highway Patrol. FHP is actively seeking military applicants. Source: Florida Highway Patrol Facebook page
What Are the Employment Benefits?
Besides a positive work environment and job stability, here are other advantages of working for the Florida Highway Patrol.
Paid Training. Applicants who are selected for the Florida Highway Patrol Training Academy will be compensated $2,514.88 per month. Law Enforcement Training is 28 to 29 weeks long and takes place in Tallahassee. Meals, lodging, training materials and physical fitness training are provided for recruits.
You are required to stay on-site during the work week. Recruits typically have their weekends free. For more information about the Florida Highway Patrol Training Academy click here.
Competitive Pay. The starting salary is $38,034.24 annually.
Paid Holidays and Vacations. The state of Florida has 9 paid holidays and 1 personal holiday per year. New troopers receive 8:40 hours per month of sick leave and annual leave. FHP also grants 17 days per year for military leave.
Uniforms, Equipment and Weapons. All uniforms, equipment and weapons are provided to the trooper. The
uniform allowance is $1,300 annually.
Health/Medical Insurance Options. The Florida Highway Patrol offers extensive insurance coverage for health, life, vision and dentistry. Accident and cancer insurances are also available.
Retirement Benefits. After 8 years of service, Florida Highway Patrol troopers are vested in the state’s contributory retirement system.
No State Income Tax. Since there is no state income tax in the state of Florida, by default, your military retirement pay is also exempt.
Can I Apply if I’m Currently in the Military?
Don’t wait until you are out of the military to complete your application with the Florida Highway Patrol. If you are planning to separate from military service and you haven’t received your DD214 yet, ask your Company Commander to write a letter on official letterhead detailing your separation date, type of discharge expected and your character of service.
The next Basic Recruit Class dates are October 22. But the hiring process can take 6 to 8 months so if you are interested in serving in the Florida Highway Patrol, take the survey and apply today or visit their website for more information. Keep in mind 2019 class dates are yet to be determined.
