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but what I learned in Chicago helped there. It goes both ways.”
The military emphasizes teamwork, communication and leadership that translates not only to policing, but to all government agencies, corporations or even education. Miedona, who earned his bachelor’s degree after leaving the Air Force, discovered this when he was as- signed group projects.
“The average kids were usually timid while the military people took leadership roles,” he recollects. “It was the same at the police academy. It makes sense that the CPD looks favorably at veterans in the hiring process.”
While transferable skills make military service an asset to policing, for some, the paramilitary PD structure is just as much a refuge.
“I kind of crave that regimented envi- ronment,” Williams offers. “When I got out of the military, it was kind of a culture shock to be back in the civilian world. So that’s why I love the CPD. Our military representation is 10 times higher than everyone else in the country. That’s a point of pride – military members com- ing home and continuing to serve in uni- form. I love that.”
Officer Mike Miedona, 25th District
U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant
Enlisted in the Air Force right out of high school: “They really care about quality of life. It was about serving the country and doing my part.”
42 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ NOVEMBER 2018