would underage drinking become a problem?

[Baz]

Hi, just a quick question... I have been drinking underage at home (never in public and never if I am going to drive) maybe 1 or 2 beers at most... When asked about it during my application process I was truthful and explained to them how much, where. why. etc... From their reaction it seemed to not be a big deal... I mean I never drank so much that I would be stumbling over my feet when walking or even come close to being drunk. Its mainly socially I drink like i'm watching a football game with my dad or something. So, those of you that have LE experience, do you think its going to become a big deal during selection?

[tatersalad]

If you say you have been drinking underage, that means that you are still under 21. If you are knowingly breaking the law while trying to get hired it may be a problem. All in all, I think that most applicants have had some drinks underage, but the difference would be that they weren't underage during the hiring process. I think you should stop drinking until you are 21 to stay on the safe side. It's good to see that you don't drink much and don't drive at all. It is tough to get picked up being so young, but if you have your heart set in LE go for it. Just go through the process and let the chips fall where they may. Good luck and keep us updated.

[Baz]

Yes, that is true but also considering that I have a perfectly clean record and that I have had 4 years of cadet experience in a military funded program in high school, that I have recomendations from former instructors and that my baground investigator basically said they need more people like me applying... It doesn't seem like much, other than my self admitted underage drinking at home and minor traffic violations, speeding and impropper driving are going to kick me out of selection. Right now I am in the hireable category and I am just awaiting selection. I have passed every test they threw at me, I didn't do so great on my 1.5 mile run but I passed it well within the limit. I scored 79 on my written test, you need a 40 to pass. And I basically was cleared by medical and background wise. Passed the polygraph as truthful, and passed all drug testing.

So, I am pretty confident that I will make it trough... I may not be a career military man with 8 years as a Marine Corps MP or something, but how many guys like that apply out of the 50 they need each academy class? I think in comparison to other people applying, i'm in pretty good shape. I always wore a suit to every instance I would be meeting anyone from the agency I was applying to... Including during ride alongs, some people we intereacted with asked if I was a Detective or something when we were at accident scenes (guess I was sharp and looked the part lol) I basically told them that I was a Trooper applicant and that I was trying to make an informed decision about what I was getting into. I must have went on 6 or 8 ride alongs lol.

[tatersalad]

If your investigator said it wasn't a problem and that things are looking good, that's great. I've gone through a couple of processes, and they didn't see underage drinking as that big a deal because it was in moderation. Although, I was of legal age to drink at the time I applied. I wasn't saying that it would be a problem, just that it may. It's good to see that you are doing good in the process.

[txinvestigator1]

In my state you can legally drink underage ANYWHERE drinking is not generally prohibited, if you are with your parent, adult legal guardian or adult spouse.