Well...I always thought being in the police force was service. Heck, even got my nose broken while handcuffing a guy fleeing from an armed robbery. But as for being "sweet fat temp. positions" Well, being a volunteer fireman is, as the job title implies, volunteer work, and it is unpaid. I was a reserve police officer during my college years as I could fit the shifts in between classes and on weekends to help pay for college...it didn't pay much at all, but I needed a flexible job! Sorry you're down on the police force, it's a tough job and the thanks are few and far between. Still have a lot of friends there, good folks doing a needed service.