Considerable employment problem

[pjack911]

Thi is my first post here. My name is Michael, and I am a native of southeastern Michigan. I've recently returned here from California and the US Army, and I enlisted into the National Guard as a military police specialist.

So here's the issue.
Over the past 7 years, I have obtained an associates in law enforcement and administration, and completed 2 years active duty military service with an honorable discharge, however while I was in high school and college, I have had a series of low paid jobs. Not counting the Army or the National Guard the total comes to...
22 employers
5 terminiations, one of which was a violation of cashier policy and another was due to insubordination, though I felt I was justified. the other three were for "lack of enthusiasm", I guess you could say.

I completed the initial process for the Detroit Police today, and I have active applications in Barstow, CA and the LAPD.

My problem is that even though I have a college degree, Have served and am continuing to serve my country, twice decorated, and possess a military security clearence, how much of a problem is this employment history going to be? I am assuming the vast majority of my employers will give me a good review seeing as how a few of those jobs were temporary and one I had to leave because of enlistment. All of these happened before enlistment.

appreciated,
Michael

[Switchback]

I think you may need a little time with a steady job to show that you have matured beyond your transient-like work history in the past.

[normal1]

I have the same history as you, except no military and the work has been due to the fact that I'm an I.T. contractor, total is 14 employers going back 10 years. I guess I'll let you know how it goes for me after I complete my Interview and get my score.

[Hockey9019]

Whew I thought I had a lot 7 since I turned 18...

[Switchback]

I have had 7, counting my current job and the Army... in my entire life. :D

Either a) I was a stedy, dependable worker or b) I spent a lot of time unemployed. You choose. LOL

[pjack911]

Yea, what happened with me was that I more or less gor a crash education in economics by my parents (meaning you got to get a job, boy!) when I was 12, which was a paper route, and then I graduated to McDonalds, and by that time I realized that I wanted to have a real future. My uncle was a Chief of Police here in Wyandotte for a little while, but he was mostly a lieutenant-detective, and I was always fascinated by what he did for a living. So, I scraped what money I could get together getting the best jobs that I could, which almost entirely ended up being low-paid McJobs due to the fact that it was all that I could do to put myswelf through school while I was living with my parents. I'd have one job for a little while, but I would get a buck more an hour here, or a better schedule there, and I would jump on the opportunity to get the best that I could for myself while I could get it. I went to Henry Ford, where I was educated by two Detroit police detectives and learned all that I could, and then I enlisted into the Army to sort of counteract the horrible state of my employment record, and also because I believe in service to country. From active I enlisted into the National Guard-Military Police and that's where I am now.

None of the "jobs" that I have ever had could even come close to being referred as a career. Nobody was going to give some kid fresh out of high school a job of any real importance or worth. I know, I've applied. I've always wanted to be a police officer, and ultimately a detective like my uncle, and since that's always been my career goal, I didn't give any consideration to how long I was at a place, or how I would explain my employment there in the future. I was more concerned with how this job or that job was going to fit in to me finishing college so I can do what I want with my life. It may show a lack of foresight on my part, but it is what it is. Now, I'm facing the problem of how do I explain this to the departments that I am eligible with. Barstow didn't seem to care about the number, just the circumstances surrounding terminations, and placed me on the eligibility list even AFTER I informed the chief of police of this fact. Detroit's recruting department asked on the first page of the application packet the number of jobs that I have had. Mabye I'm being too concerned over something that isn't an issue. I had a former detective from Long Beach back at Fort Irwin look at my employment history, and told me that it shows a willingness to be employed no matter the situation, and that it shows resolve. perhaps that's the way to go.


Anybody have any Idea how I can explain this so that I don't come off as an irresponsible jackass?

Appreciated, and as usual, Godspeed,
Michael

[retdetsgt]

What was the "violation of cashier policy"? If that employer says that had something to do with honesty, you will have a lot of problems.

[pjack911]

It was nothing to do with honesty. What happened was that I had a line of credit at the place I was employed at, and I posted a payment to my account. The business in question has a policy that another cashier has to do it for you, so it was a violation because I did the process of paying my credit line myself.

[Johninaustin]

Temp jobs are viewed as just that. Temporary. I would not sweat this as much as you seem to.

How many of these jobs were before you were 18? How many were at the same time?

[pjack911]

I'm going to post my entire empoyment history and reasons for change in jobs here once I compile the list. I'll try to make it as precise as possible.