Another Nervous Applicant

[zlong]

Well to start off I have never been arrested, charged, or ticketed for anything. I have a squeaky clean backgroud and driving record. There are just a few things that I am curious about.

1. I drank alcohol when I was a minor.
2. As a minor and a small peroid of being an adult I downloaded movies, games and music illegally.
3. When I was 14 I had sex with a 16 year old who is now my wife.
4. I have never been fired from employment but have left on not so stable cirumstances. Work comp suit when I was 16, pay dispute the job after that, and was let go since I was not eligible for FMLA when I was having family issues.
5. My credit is horrible but I am taking all that is required of me to pay my debts.

Any advice or opinions are welcome here. Brutal honesty is preferred. I would just like a good understanding of my "chances" for being hired. Also, if it would help you guys give me better advice I am applying in the state of Kansas.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

Brutal honesty is preferred.

Well, you came to the right place!!

You do not state how old you are now, and that would play a part in your youthful indiscretions. You also don't tell us whether you are working right now, and how long you've held your present job. That would also make a difference.

It's hard to give you any kind of realistic chances based on the limited info you've posted. One positive: you stated nothing that is an automatic-DQ, so that's good.

[zlong]

Sorry for being so short of information. I am 20 years old now and would be 21 by the time I would be accepted into the academy. My recent job was a temp agency for medical workers which I had held since April. I am a CNA. I had to resign when it came to the choice of a steady paycheck against a unsteady one last month for my family. I now hold the title of a fulltime student and dad. My work history roughly....

April 2005 - Winter Months 2005 Mcdonalds: WORK COMP
January 2007 - May 2007 Temp Agency: PAY DISPUTE
May 2007 - August 2007 Construction: SITE BUILT
August 2007 - May 2008 Temp Agency: Obtained Steady Employment
May 2008 - January 2009 Hospital: Not eligible for FMLA
April 2009 - October 2009 Temp Agency: Choice between a steady paycheck and an unsteady one.

I also looked over my credit report and saw that our record is actually looking very well. We've been working on our credit for two years paying off our debts ( living very spartan like )and it's finally paying off.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

If you work, you need to show you are capable of full-time employment, and display a steady reporting record.

You've never held one job for more than 10 months. Hopefully that will correct itself as you mature, but right now that's also going to be a negative against you.

If you are in school, you need to finish before you can consider applying - get good grades and stay out of trouble (criminal/traffic). If you have to work while in school in order to make ends meet, choose a job that you can transition to full-time after graduation.

[zlong]

Not trying to badger but could you expand on why I need to finish school before I consider applying?

[Sgt. Slaughter]

Because you have no stable work history. You need to show that you can stick with something before an agency spends thousands of dollars to hire and train you.

[zlong]

Makes sense. Thanks for the quick answer.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

Sure thing.

I am Johnny-on-the-spot...

[DZL]

I'll play devils advocate here as far as work history; how many 20 year old students that enter the academy have a steady, solid work history? I guess it can be used against you but I'd be more worried about Your credit report if it has negative records on it.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

I'll play devils advocate here as far as work history; how many 20 year old students that enter the academy have a steady, solid work history? I guess it can be used against you but I'd be more worried about Your credit report if it has negative records on it.

In the academies I've been to, I don't remember seeing anyone who was 20 or just turned 21. Most had military service, a bachelor's degree or prior police experience in another state. The OP doesn't even have a job that's lasted a full year, let alone a degree.

Maybe what he's got would get him into an academy in Kansas - I don't know. Maybe he'll "wow 'em" on the oral boards.

I think he'd quickly get passed up by more candidates with experience or education here.

[zlong]

Thought I would drop by and give an update. I made it all the way to the day of the command staff interview when I received a phone call saying don't bother making the drive. I was told to fix my finances and mature a bit then I would be welcome to try again. Took it in stride and decided to do just that. I joined the Army in July2010 my credit is now "fair" and my debts will be completely paid off by the time my current enlistment is up. Still on track to earn my degree too.

A few questions to everyone that can answer. Is there anything I could do while serving to bulk up my resume if I decided not to reup? Certain schools to attend such as airborne/air assault? Now don't get ahead of me...I realize I won't be jumping out of planes while serving as a LEO. But does someone who has that on their resume stand a better chance over someone who doesn't? After my initial training I was awarded Distinguished Honor Graduate. Does that do anything for me or is it just fodder?

I still have nothing on my driving/criminal record and plan on it staying that way. Again BRUTAL honesty is preferred. I welcome any questions as well.