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Are you wanting to stay in NC? I can help answer and NC specific questions if you have them,
As far as timeline on when to apply, I would probably start sending in applications in the fall if you are getting out of the military in May 2017. But that can also vary from agency to agency based on when their next academy starts. Do your research, most agencies have someone that serves as a recruiter, I would call around to any places you may like to work and ask to speak to the training division or a recruiter.
On not knowing was desired salary you should put down...I don't remember filling that out on any applications. Salary is set for everyone. Having military experience may earn you more pay depending on agency, but that is also usually set like x% pay for x amount of years served up to a certain time cap or just a flat pay increase. Some places may not offer pay increases for .mil but it will certainly help in getting hired.
In my experience in NC most all agencie's seem to have similar retirement plans or are in the state system. Look for an agency that offers a 401k and max out what you pay in that the local .gov will match. You won't miss the money if you do it early on and will pay off down the road.
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I have never heard of a pay bonus for military experience for police work. Most of the NC agencies I applied with normally contacted you within a month to two months for their first step in the interview or testing process. About the only thing that will get a new hire higher pay is a 4 year degree from what I have seen.
In NC for local stuff you're looking at low 30s starting (greensboro, Winston, burlington) to almost 40 (Charlotte, high point). If you want pay raises in NC, highway patrol is your best bet, and they hire often. Not to mention they aren't very hard to get on with and do not require a college degree. I have tons of friends who did some random shit a year or two out of high school, then applied to HP and got on with no LE experience whatsoever.
NC's retirement system is pretty good. You pay in 6.5% mandatory towards your pension, law enforcement has an additional retirement benefits, and the 401ks are pretty good too. I remember when my dad retired from the local sheriff's office his take home increased by a decent amount...