When to apply if still in the Marines

[0341Marine]

Quick question here, I am a Marine about to deploy again within a few months, but will be leaving the service upon completion of this tour. I will have about 6 months left on my contract when I get back, my question is when should i start applying to the departments that I would like to work at? Should I apply now before I leave or wait till I get back.

[phantasm]

You could start applying now. A lot of states will allow you to retake civil service tests that are given when you're on active duty too.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

Quick question here, I am a Marine about to deploy again within a few months, but will be leaving the service upon completion of this tour. I will have about 6 months left on my contract when I get back, my question is when should i start applying to the departments that I would like to work at? Should I apply now before I leave or wait till I get back.

Semper Fi.

I am of the opinion that you'd waste your time if you apply now. Wait until you're back in the states. You'll know WHERE you're gonna be and WHEN you're gonna be there. You get deployed and then get extended or re-deployed to another location and you'll be pissed off even more when you miss out on anything you have scheduled for your return. Plus, if you apply now and deploy in 2 or 3 months, you won't be around to go through any of the testing process. You'll just have to resubmit apps when you get back and trust me - that's a LOT of paperwork to redo.

[0341Marine]

Well I just talked to a department that I am interested in and had their testing today, the recruiter suggested that I wad till I get back from this deployment and start applying. The reason being is because they only hold their applications on file for 1 year. Which is not a big deal cause its a good department and they were only hiring 6 out of 100 applicants this time. Thanks for the quick reply.

[Adrenolize]

Semper Fi.

I am of the opinion that you'd waste your time if you apply now. Wait until you're back in the states. You'll know WHERE you're gonna be and WHEN you're gonna be there. You get deployed and then get extended or re-deployed to another location and you'll be pissed off even more when you miss out on anything you have scheduled for your return. Plus, if you apply now and deploy in 2 or 3 months, you won't be around to go through any of the testing process. You'll just have to resubmit apps when you get back and trust me - that's a LOT of paperwork to redo.

+1. Exiting the Corps can be an interesting thing, especially coming off of a deployment. The good thing about police work is that it will always be in demand as the bad guys just don't learn and business is good!

Concentrate on getting through this deployment and returning safely..

Semper Fi!

[Kimble]

Like others have said, if you have a few months before your next deployment, I'd start applying now, but I'd suggest doing so by contact the recruitment office of whatever department(s) you're interested in working for and seeing if they have guidance for applying while still in the service. I know you said you already talked to one recruiter, but realize the hiring process can vary widely from one department to another, so check with each department that you're interested in. Also, do you want to be a cop where you are currently stationed, or "back home"? If the former, go by and speak to a police recruiter in person, if the latter, make some calls and/or email inquiries. Some departments have condensed hiring processes for out-of-state or military applicants, so see what's available that could help you.

Thanks for your service, Marine.

[0341Marine]

Thanks again for the suggestions. As far as where I would like to work I decided to stay out in California, my fiance and I will be getting married after this deployment. She is from Cali and Iam originally from Cali anyways so it works out fine. The only thing I did wish is that they offer more testing opportunities to see what the written test is like. Other than that I am not worried that much, I have one year till I finish my BA and a clean record. Minus a speeding ticket about 4 years ago. So far so Good.

Thank you again all.

[Neurowave]

OOORAH!!! Mortar-Marine!

With your education and service, you should find a pretty easy time landing a job. Six months should be ample time, but it's smart to start making contact with recruiters now to learn when their hiring processes start.

Come home safe Marine!

Semper Fi

[0341Marine]

Haha us good ol mortar men. Right now I am acting as one of the battalion Forward Observers for our helo company, it is a much better life than being a gun monkey.