Pros
My co-workers, for the most part are exceptional. They all work hard and help each other out. Getting time off is sort of a hassle but I've never been denied a time off request or a scheduling change, The Sargents and the Captain where I am posted are excellent and friendly. The benefits are good, if you are willing to fork over a third of your weeks pay to obtain it. It is an easy enough job that isn't very physically demanding, however it gets extremely boring.
Cons
Payroll discrepancies happen at least once a month and aren't an accident, they happen to frequently and only when one works over time or holidays. The superiors in the Fort Myers office are complete fools, they will never give you a straight answer and pretty much only care about themselves. This company pays almost minimum wages to its regular USOs. Some posts pay slightly more. The uniforms are horribly uncomfortable if you are working outdoors, they do not breathe and can get extremely hot. You will never receive any sort of a pat on the back for doing a good job. Since most employees hate this job then you can almost for certain guarantee that you will be working extra shifts because of the enormous amount of call offs per month. But remember, even though you will be working over time, this company is notorious for screwing employees out of overtime wages. Even if you are licensed to carry a weapon, do not look forward to becoming an armed officer unless you are an ex military or ex police officer. Some of the older employees think that they run everything and degrade other employees, no disciplinary action will ever be taken, though, because no one wants to complete any sort of paper work. This company has been preaching "going green" for over a year and yet you will have to sign about 5 sheets of paper per day you work. You will get written up for almost any small thing you can imagine, you are supposed to wear a large stetson hat, which not only looks completely ridiculous but is also uncomfortable and at times painful. The "clocking in" system is a complete joke, rather than having a sensible clock in method, this company forces employees to get to work 15 minutes early (illegal) and call in to an 800 number within six minutes of your scheduled time, and also sign in on a very confusing, ever changing sheet of paper. I could honestly go on forever listing all of the horrible things that this company does to its employees but I would probably die before I finished.