Background Opinions?

[armyman95]

I am a U.S. Army Military Police SGT with 8 1/2 years of service as of now. I will be getting out in 11 months and in February will begin the testing process for a dept. My background is the only thing that I have some concerns about. When I was 15, I was charged with Burglary which was reduced to Criminal Trespass. I did 6 months on probation. While in High School, I tried Marijuana a few times. I also got 2 Traffic Tickets. I also got a Theft under 50 in which I pawned an item and it turned out to be stolen. At the age of 18, I decided to join the Army to make something of myself and at 19, I shipped out. 3 1/2 years ago, I received a Article 15 for misuse of a government computer. I was on Yahoo Member Directory looking at profile and ordered some pictures of a girl from her profile. Someone thought that she was underage and I was investigated by the Alabama Bureau of Investigations and Army Criminal Investigation Division. I was cleared by ABI and CID but received the Art. 15 for the misuse. I lost 1 rank and in 9 months got it back. Since, I am now promotable (SGTp), I am the Swing Shift Patrol Supervisor for Schofield Barracks, HI. I am HGN certified, Intoxilizer 5000 and 8000 certified as well as RADAR and LIDAR. I am hoping that my background is not too bad and that my 9 years of service (when I test) will help. I am a combat veteran who has served in 2 different conflicts on 2 different continents. I have lead soldiers in battle as well as conducted DUI traffic stops and dealt with Domestic Violence. Anyones opinion is very much appreciated.

[DeltaV]

IMO, the Article 15 is going to be your biggest hurdle. Not only that, but you were the subject of a criminal investigation for your actions in that situation. That's not good either. It's not an automatic DQ, but it will definitely put you behind anyone else who has had military service and not been subject to such punishment.

[camp4928]

Why do you want to get out? The military is not a bad deal at all. In my experience, if you are getting out just to be a cop and it seems like you're not a shoe-in, then stay in. I got out to become a cop but have some stuff in my background that is hindering me getting hired. Now I wish I hadn't gotten out. Just some food for thought....

[armyman95]

I want to get out because I am tired of deploying, tired of living overseas and moving every 2 years. I enlisted as Artillery because of my background at the time. Artillery was the only thing they offered and I needed to get my head on straight. I reenlisted while deployed and they offered me M.P. so I took it. I did not know that I would be so good at it and like the LE side of the house so much. I want to settle down in one location and have kid but do not want to watch their first steps via VTC from some third world ****hole. I am starting the process while in so that I have options if it goes sour. I just hope that everything works out and I get hired. I know that my background is'nt 'cherry' but above anything else, I have integrity and am very motivated and loyal. I only have 1 blemish on my military record and when I was investigated, I had integrity then too. I made a mistake and manned up to it. If the background investigator asks about it which they will, again I will have integrity and explain what happed. The military does not want me to get out but I have to think about what I want out of life and I am pretty much done with the Army life and want to start a new chapter. I just hope that the BI that I talk to will understand and see what I can offer to the dept. Thanks for ya'll's opinions.

[Johninaustin]

Honestly, the second the ABI involvement pops up most depts are going to toss your application, regardless of the outcome. Keep in mind that you are entering a VERY competitive process and even the slightest ding is going to have large consequences.

Good luck to you.

[camp4928]

I know that my background is'nt 'cherry' but above anything else, I have integrity and am very motivated and loyal. I only have 1 blemish on my military record and when I was investigated, I had integrity then too. I made a mistake and manned up to it. If the background investigator asks about it which they will, again I will have integrity and explain what happed.

Dude, every person that has been in trouble and applied to be a police officer has told them the same story... "I manned up to the charges, I have integrity, I've changed, etc." Five out of ten guys probably have, but the department is not going to risk the chance of hiring one of the five who are still crooks.

Colorado has fairly liberal hiring standards (auto-DQ's are liberal) and I think they go more case-by-case than most other states, so you might want to try Denver or one of the mountain counties. It will probably still be tough though.