Best Companies for 19D Cavalry Scouts: Law Enforcement & Security Career Guide
Top law enforcement, security, and government agencies hiring 19D cavalry scouts for investigative and protection roles with career advancement data.
Best Companies for 19D Cavalry Scouts
BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)
19D Cavalry Scouts transition to premium positions in law enforcement, federal investigations, corporate security, and intelligence agencies. Compensation ranges $50,000-$140,000+ depending on agency and role. Top employers include FBI, DEA, Secret Service, U.S. Marshals, corporate security (Google, Microsoft, Facebook), and private investigation firms. Your military reconnaissance, tactical operations, and decision-making under pressure expertise directly translates to high-value investigative and protective roles. Most 19Ds transition to $65,000-$95,000 law enforcement roles within 3-6 months with clear advancement to supervisor and management earning $120,000-$200,000+.
Federal Law Enforcement (Highest Pay and Prestige)
FBI (Special Agent)
- Positions: Special Agent, Intelligence Analyst, Investigator
- Starting: $70,000-$95,000 (GS-10)
- Year 5: $95,000-$130,000 (GS-12)
- Year 10+: $120,000-$160,000+ (GS-13+)
- Benefits: Federal pension, comprehensive health, 26 vacation days
- Career Growth: Supervisor to SAC (Special Agent in Charge): $150,000-$200,000+
- Location: Washington D.C.; Field offices nationwide
- Advantage: Military background strongly preferred
DEA (Special Agent)
- Positions: Special Agent, Diversion Investigator, Task Force Officer
- Starting: $68,000-$92,000 (GS-9/10)
- Year 5: $92,000-$128,000 (GS-12)
- Year 10+: $118,000-$155,000+ (GS-13+)
- Benefits: Federal benefits, travel opportunities, dynamic work
- Career Growth: Supervisor and management roles: $140,000-$200,000+
- Location: Washington D.C.; Field offices nationwide
U.S. Secret Service
- Positions: Special Agent, Uniformed Division, Protective Specialist
- Starting: $67,000-$90,000 (GS-9/10)
- Year 5: $90,000-$125,000 (GS-12)
- Career Growth: Supervisory roles: $130,000-$190,000+
- Benefits: Federal benefits, unique protective missions
- Location: Washington D.C.; Field offices; International assignments
U.S. Marshals Service
- Positions: Deputy U.S. Marshal, Investigator, Task Force Officer
- Starting: $70,000-$94,000 (GS-10)
- Year 5: $95,000-$130,000 (GS-12)
- Year 10+: $120,000-$160,000+ (GS-13+)
- Benefits: Federal pension, active field work
- Career Growth: Supervisory roles: $140,000-$200,000+
- Advantage: Military background valued; Fugitive tracking expertise
State Law Enforcement (Good Pay and Stability)
California Highway Patrol
- Starting: $65,000-$82,000
- Year 5: $90,000-$125,000
- Year 10+: $110,000-$160,000+
- Benefits: California state benefits, pension, strong union
- Location: Statewide
New York State Police
- Starting: $60,000-$78,000
- Year 5: $85,000-$120,000
- Year 10+: $105,000-$155,000+
- Benefits: New York state pension, strong union representation
- Location: Statewide
Texas Department of Public Safety
- Starting: $55,000-$72,000
- Year 5: $78,000-$110,000
- Year 10+: $95,000-$140,000+
- Career Growth: Management roles: $120,000-$180,000+
- Location: Statewide
Corporate Security (Excellent Compensation)
Google Security
- Positions: Security Operations Manager, Investigator, Protective Specialist
- Starting: $85,000-$120,000
- Year 5: $120,000-$170,000
- Bonus: 10-20% of salary
- Stock: $40,000-$150,000+
- Career Growth: Fast advancement; Director roles: $200,000-$300,000+
- Location: Mountain View, CA; Multiple tech hubs
Microsoft Security
- Positions: Security Operations Manager, Investigator, Security Manager
- Starting: $80,000-$115,000
- Year 5: $115,000-$160,000
- Bonus: 10-20% of base
- Stock: $30,000-$120,000+
- Career Growth: Fast advancement to senior roles
- Location: Puget Sound, WA; Multiple locations
Facebook/Meta Security
- Positions: Security Operations Manager, Investigator, Protective Specialist
- Starting: $85,000-$125,000
- Year 5: $125,000-$180,000
- Bonus: 15-25% of base
- Stock: $50,000-$200,000+
- Career Growth: Fast; Director roles: $220,000-$350,000+
- Location: Menlo Park, CA
Federal Protective Service (DHS)
Federal Protective Service
- Positions: Federal Officer, Investigator, Supervisor
- Starting: $52,000-$68,000 (GS-7/8)
- Year 5: $72,000-$98,000 (GS-10/11)
- Year 10+: $98,000-$140,000+ (GS-12+)
- Benefits: Federal pension, comprehensive health insurance
- Career Growth: Supervisor to Assistant Director: $130,000-$180,000+
- Advantage: Transition directly from military to federal work
Private Security and Investigation Firms
Kroll (Global Investigation & Security)
- Positions: Investigator, Operations Manager, Security Manager
- Starting: $65,000-$85,000
- Year 5: $95,000-$145,000
- Bonus: 10-20% of salary
- Career Growth: Director roles: $150,000-$250,000+
- Location: Nationwide; Global opportunities
Pinkerton/G4S (Security Services)
- Starting: $55,000-$75,000
- Year 5: $80,000-$125,000
- Career Growth: Management roles: $120,000-$200,000+
- Location: Multiple locations
Comparison: 19D Career Paths
| Employer | Starting | Year 5 | Year 10 | Best Aspect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FBI Special Agent | $70,000-$95,000 | $95,000-$130,000 | $120,000-$160,000+ | Prestige, benefits |
| DEA Agent | $68,000-$92,000 | $92,000-$128,000 | $118,000-$155,000+ | Dynamic work, field focus |
| Google Security | $85,000-$120,000 | $120,000-$170,000 | $200,000-$300,000+ | Tech compensation, growth |
| State Police | $55,000-$82,000 | $85,000-$125,000 | $110,000-$160,000+ | Stability, union benefits |
| U.S. Marshals | $70,000-$94,000 | $95,000-$130,000 | $120,000-$160,000+ | Active field work |
Career Advancement
Federal Agent → Supervisor → Desk Officer → Section Chief → Executive Level
- Earnings: $80,000 → $130,000 → $150,000 → $180,000 → $230,000+
- Timeline: 12-18 years to executive
Corporate Security Track: Investigator → Manager → Director → VP Security
- Earnings: $95,000 → $150,000 → $220,000 → $300,000+
- Timeline: 8-12 years to VP
Federal vs. Corporate Comparison
Federal (FBI/DEA):
- Prestige and mission focus
- Federal benefits and pension
- Moderate starting pay ($70,000-$95,000)
- Advancement to $150,000-$200,000+ possible
Corporate (Tech Companies):
- Higher compensation ($85,000-$125,000 starting)
- Stock options and bonuses
- Better work-life balance
- Faster advancement to $200,000-$350,000+
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What's the highest-paying path for 19D scouts? A: Corporate security at major tech companies (Google, Meta, Microsoft) offers fastest path to $200,000-$300,000+. Federal positions reach $150,000-$200,000 at senior levels.
Q: Should I choose federal law enforcement or corporate security? A: Federal: Prestige, mission impact, federal benefits. Corporate: Higher pay, faster advancement, better work-life. Choose based on mission vs. compensation priority.
Q: How quickly can I advance to supervisor? A: Federal: 5-10 years. Corporate: 3-6 years. Corporate tech companies fastest.
Q: What's the job market like? A: Strong demand. Law enforcement hiring shortages; Tech security roles growing rapidly. Your military background highly valued.
Q: Can I get hired directly as federal agent without police experience? A: Yes. Military intelligence/reconnaissance directly translates. FBI and federal agencies specifically recruit military scouts and investigators.
Q: Are there remote opportunities? A: Limited in field roles. Investigative and analytical roles increasingly hybrid. Corporate security offers more remote options.
Action Plan
Weeks 1-2: Preparation
- Decide between federal, state, or corporate path
- Research agencies/companies in target location
- Prepare federal resume (different format for government)
Weeks 2-4: Application
- Apply to FBI, DEA, U.S. Marshals, or state agencies
- Apply to corporate security at major tech companies
- Network with 19D alumni in law enforcement
Months 2-6: Background Investigation
- Federal path: 3-6 month background investigation
- State/local: 2-4 months typically
- Complete polygraph and medical exams
Months 6-12: Transition
- Begin federal or corporate security role
- Complete field training
- Plan 5-10 year advancement to supervisory roles
Conclusion
19D Cavalry Scouts secure prestigious and well-compensated positions in federal law enforcement, corporate security, and investigations with career earning potential reaching $200,000-$300,000+ at senior levels. Your military reconnaissance, tactical, and decision-making expertise positions you for investigative leadership roles.
Best paths: FBI/DEA for prestige and federal benefits; Corporate security for highest compensation and fastest advancement; State/local police for stability and immediate employment.
Within 5 years: Supervisor or manager roles earning $130,000-$170,000. Within 10 years: Director/executive roles earning $200,000-$300,000+.
Your military cavalry scout expertise makes you exceptionally competitive for senior law enforcement and security leadership positions.