MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Sgt. Ruben Velasquez was 7 years old when his mother became a victim of domestic violence in his home.

He said if it weren't for the quick response of police officers there, she probably would've been abused further - and ever since, Velasquez dreamed of becoming a police officer.

"Law enforcement saved my mother's life, I wanted to give back to the community," Velasquez said.

Now 24, he's doing just that with the help of the Palomar Police Academy - a school providing active duty Marines with Basic Police Certification for a career in law enforcement after the corps.

Velasquez spends his off time scaling walls, dragging dummies and sprinting at the Academy and he said others can too.

"For those Marines that were ever interested in a career in law enforcement, this is a good opportunity for them," he said.

"I used the Marines as a foundation, it gave me the opportunity to do off-duty law enforcement," said Velasquez, one of six active duty Marines currently involved in the program.

He said his staff sergeant first introduced him to the program when he was deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"I looked the academy up on the Internet and filled out the application and enrolled," Velasquez said.

Velasquez is currently attached to Marine Aviation and Logistics Squadron 39 here. He said now it can be done because he's with a non-deployable unit.

"It just makes it easier. Since the course is 12 months, [there is] a lower possibility the Marine would dropout of class," said Officer Julliete Barnes, a staff member at the Palomar Police Academy.

She said that way Marines could start a law enforcement career then go right into it, instead of being unemployed after they finish their enlistment.

"It's virtually free to Marines because they can use their G.I. bill and/or tuition assistance," said Barnes.

Velasquez said that the academy prefers Marines because they already possess the morale, training and maturity needed for law enforcement." It's military oriented. It really helps to have that Marine, Army or Navy background," said Velasquez.

"Marines don't really have that problem transitioning," said Barnes, a former Marine spouse.

Velasquez said it even helps him motivate the class during instruction and physical activities.

"I'm always leading the class in the runs, helping others that might not have that Marine experience," Velasquez said.

"My best advice that I could give to Marines is start now, start early," said Velasquez.

When Velasquez's second enlistment is completed, he plans to become a full-time police officer.

"I just want to give back to the community that gave to me," Velasquez said.

For more information on Palomar Police Academy e-mail Barnes at: jbarnes@palomar.edu.