New Background Questions

[vvuze]

I humbly come to this forum looking for a few answers regarding my eligibility for a future career in law enforcement as a Police Officer. I am currently serving in the military and have been doing so for the past five years. I would like to consider myself a good candidate in the application process and beyond.

While in the military I have continued my education and have five units left to complete on my AS in Communication’s and working on a BA. I have volunteered in the past for several different youth program’s including the Sea Scouts and community outreach programs through the military. I have an excellent credit background and absolutely no illegal drug history. While in High School I was in the Police Explorer’s, Boy Scouts, Youth Group, but unsure if this is valuable on my application or not. I have no negative contact’s with law enforcement besides a few traffic stop’s which have resulted in no tickets.

I would like to ask a few questions regarding some past events that may be considered a down checks on my application.

While on deployment between 2007 -2008 in the Indian Ocean, I was taken to a bar by several buddies while walking back to our room we were solicited by a prostitute and she ended up undoing my pants and stealing my wallet as I was the most intoxicated out of us. I decided to not report the incident as there was nothing my wallet besides cash and considered it the price to pay for even considering a prostitute. Clearly it was a valuable lesson in how alcohol can affect your judgment and out of character for me.

Just out of high school I was fired from two jobs and a third ended on mutual grounds between myself and the employer. I forced to resign from one which I considered to be fired from due to exceeding 5 MPH more than three times in our patrol truck while on mall property. The second job I arrived late to work and was late go after being warned. Third I was injured while walking around after a week and half on the job. It was my own fault I turned in my uniform and did not go back mainly due to being embarrassed.

At the age of fifth teen a friend took a bottle of liquor from his parents we both drank the bottle and continued to go to a party and drink with a few other teen’s and their parents. After celebrating a little too much at the party we went back to his house and I threw up in his room. I did not touch alcohol after this incident before turning twenty one.

At thirteen I took an old computer from my school. I was given a computer by my lab teacher but it did not work, I took another from the pile without informing her that I was going to do so and was worried that she would notice and brought it back.

[pac201]

Thank you for your service...

I don't think you have any major obstacles, but your behavior does show a certain lack of judgement.

When do you plan to start applying for a job? Maybe a little more time in the military would be helpful.

[vvuze]

I have at least three more years left in the service, but after reading some of the responces on the forum I wanted to know if I should start planning my package for Law Enforcement or E-7. I know the compitition is extreamly difficult with some departments and do not have the luxery of time out of work. I need a job and although I dont love what I am doing now, the benifits and salury pay the bill's. I have been saving since I joined for a delay when I getting out and have about six months pay in reserve right now which should get me through the academy.

[mythoss]

I have at least three more years left in the service, but after reading some of the responces on the forum I wanted to know if I should start planning my package for Law Enforcement or E-7. I know the compitition is extreamly difficult with some departments and do not have the luxery of time out of work. I need a job and although I dont love what I am doing now, the benifits and salury pay the bill's. I have been saving since I joined for a delay when I getting out and have about six months pay in reserve right now which should get me through the academy.

I'm no hiring expert, but I don't see anything that would make me think you would have any MAJOR trouble. The saving your money shows maturity in my opinion. Just know that most places pay you a salary while you're in the academy, unless you go the self-sponsered route. Just keep making good decisions and you should be fine, good luck and thank you for your service.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

I have at least three more years left in the service, but after reading some of the responces on the forum I wanted to know if I should start planning my package for Law Enforcement or E-7....I need a job and although I dont love what I am doing now, the benifits and salury pay the bill's. I have been saving since I joined for a delay when I getting out and have about six months pay in reserve right now which should get me through the academy.

#1 - In for 5 years with "at least" 3 more left. That means you're close to being halfway to a retirement. Unless you're forced out, I really don't know why people leave the military to start all over at the bottom somewhere once they've invested that much time.

#2 - People get too focused on needing to "love their job." Jobs are supposed to pay bills and support your familiy. Every job is gonna have its own BS to deal with. Military and police work just has "extra special" BS.

#3 - Most places pay you when you attend the academy for them. Your savings, should you choose to leave the military, might be able to hold you over until you get hired and start getting paychecks from the department, though.

[Adrenolize]

I would also like to point out that your GI Bill will cover time in the academy. That goes for both self sponsored and academies you are paid to go to. This will be a good supplement for some in between time. Most academies are about 4-6 months long.

On that note, I would STRONGLY recommend doing as much school while you are in the service. There are many correspondence and distance learning schools that will work with you while you are in the service. You can still find many jobs in law enforcement that don't require a college degree, but that is a fast changing trend. It is much harder to get your degree on the outside in my opinion.

Good luck, and thank you for your service!

[Safety Steve]

I would also like to point out that your GI Bill will cover time in the academy. That goes for both self sponsored and academies you are paid to go to. This will be a good supplement for some in between time. Most academies are about 4-6 months long.

On that note, I would STRONGLY recommend doing as much school while you are in the service. There are many correspondence and distance learning schools that will work with you while you are in the service. You can still find many jobs in law enforcement that don't require a college degree, but that is a fast changing trend. It is much harder to get your degree on the outside in my opinion.

Good luck, and thank you for your service!

And you can draw on that GI Bill while in the FTO program.

Thank you for your service.

Be Safe.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

I believe I used it all the way through completion of my probationary period. Damn, that was 10 years ago!

[vvuze]

Thanks guys for all the information and your honest opinion on my chances. I have three states in mind for future employment and I hope I will at least get pick up in one of the three.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

Only you can make the ultimate decision on what you wanna do, but criminals will always be around. If you finish out a career in the military, you can start cop work officially as a retiree and a young one at that.

My experience as a jarhead is this: You never know what's gonna happen in your military career and you should work hard for any and all the promotions you can get. If you get involuntarily extended (stop-lossed) or you just decide to stay in for the 20-year retirement and bennies, you don't wanna be behind the ball by passing anything over. I should have tried to get promoted while I was in. Of course, I should have just STAYED in altogether, but that's my problem...

I'm guessing you don't have a wife or kid to support, yet. That always changes things, too.

[vvuze]

I would not even consider leaving the military if I had a wife and kids. I would not have the luxury of starting over in a new career field. I have seen a lot of guys since I came in who have failed at obtaining their goals in the civilian world and come right back in. I hope not to be one of those guys and stay on track.

I know it’s a risk leaving, but if I stay reserve and get a job with a department it will be minimal at best due to being able to come back active without taking a hit.

[pac201]

I would also recommend that you stay in. My brother in law finished 21 years in the Marine Corps; he currently works for a county and is vested. He will soon be retiring again, and here my dumbazz sits having to work till I'm who knows how old...

BTW he really likes drawing that check from the gubmint every month...

[Sgt. Slaughter]

I've heard countless veterans say they should have stayed in. Getting out (even on good terms) doesn't always mean you can get back in. Even if you DO get back in, you may take a rank reduction and get assigned an MOS you don't want in order to get back in the uniform. If you end up married, that makes it even MORE difficult.

Also unfortunate, is that there's no guarantee that you'll get into cop work once you get out. In 3 years, your competition will be just as qualified as you are.