Video

Video by Senior Airman Aaron Hauser

The Blue Behind The Badge

Nellis Air Force Base

Oct. 9, 2013 | 3:06

Title: The Blue Behind The Badge
Producer: SrA Aaron Hauser
Date: 9 October, 2013
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Duration: 2 Min 51 Sec
Description: Making the transition from active duty to reserve status or civilian life can be rough for some. For Tech Sergeant Rebecca Palmer, a Broadcaster with the Air National Guard, the change afforded her the opportunity to serve and protect in her own community.
Keywords: TSgt Rebecca Palmer, Broadcaster, Police, Officer, Air National Guard, North Las Vegas, Patrol, SrA Aaron Hauser
Lead: The common practices we learn in the military stick with us throughout our lives and can be carried on into new careers. SrA Aaron Hauser shows us how one Airman chose to trade her Air Force blues for a much different set to help protect her community.

Font Info:
SrA Aaron Hauser - Reporting for 99 ABW/PA
Officer Rebecca Palmer - Police Officer, North Las Vegas Police Department

Making the transition from active duty to reserve status or civilian life can be rough for some. For Tech Sergeant Rebecca Palmer, a Broadcaster with the Air National Guard, the change afforded her the opportunity to serve and protect in her own community.

(Officer Rebecca Palmer - Police Officer, North Las Vegas Police Department)
I actually went to college for criminal justice at UNLV, and was focusing on crime scene investigation. So I applied for the North Las Vegas police department and went through all the steps of testing and ended up as a police officer.
*radio chatter*
Baker, twelve.

There are plenty of differences between military and law enforcement careers, but Officer Palmer says the core practices of the Air Force are what helped her the most starting out in her new profession.

(Officer Rebecca Palmer - Police Officer, North Las Vegas Police Department)
I believe the Air Force really prepared me for a career in law enforcement because it really gave me the discipline that I need for this job.

Though Officer Palmer helps keep her corner of Las Vegas safe, she understands the inherent dangers involved with her job.

(Officer Rebecca Palmer - Police Officer, North Las Vegas Police Department)
I'd say my greatest struggle as a police officer is actually having to come out here everyday and not knowing what I'm going to be dealing with. We get calls everyday, and everything's an unknown really and my main goal is to get through the day, do my job and go home to my daughter.

Balancing two jobs can be stressful, but being able to come home and relax with her daughter really helps Rebecca unwind after a hard day.

(Officer Rebecca Palmer - Police Officer, North Las Vegas Police Department)
Spending time with my daughter definitely helps me separate both my jobs from being a police officer and also, you know, working in the military. I get to come home to her and just forget about that and just spend time with her.

As a single mom, Rebecca urges other parents to consider the Air Force as a potential employment opportunity. She says though you sacrifice a lot to serve your country, the benefits go far beyond job security and a steady income.

(Officer Rebecca Palmer - Police Officer, North Las Vegas Police Department)
Her hair's pink now.

It's a stable job. A good family environment. There's a lot of family support. Whether you're full family or single parents, and I think it's definitely a good career choice.

As a mother, a police officer, and a Tech Sergeant, Rebecca Palmer works hard to keep her family and the streets of North Las Vegas safe, one block at a time.
SrA Aaron Hauser, Nellis AFB, Nevada. Available in High Definition.

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