Reporting for duty

[CT_CO_Recruit]

First of all let me say that I feel privileged to be here and have all of you veterans to turn to for advice. I will always conduct myself in a respectable manner.

I want to say right off the bat that my screen name may be a little misleading because I am in the testing process to become a correction officer in the state of CT and I am not yet in the academy. I took the written test 3 weeks ago and to my surprise scored a 96! Physical agility is the next phase and it is pretty lame. For my age 15 push ups in 1 minute, 27 sit ups in 1 minute, the usual sit and reach, and a 300 meter run in 77 seconds. That is on May 6th and I am at Planet Fitness almost every day and run outside 3 times a week.

I am a little older than the usual candidate. While I did earn my associates in criminal justice I never worked on the job. I chose instead to work in the medical manufacturing field and recently lost my job because of cut backs. While surfing the job bank I saw the c/o test and that desire I had 15 years ago came right back.

A little about myself. I am 40 years old and in good health. Good work background. Married with 2 kids. Own a home. Clean sheet. I am hoping these factors along with my 96 score on the written will do good for me. I had a friend a few years ago get hired by CT DOC at age 42. He said his age and stability were actually a plus for him he was told.

I am actually doing this also because I want to work this job. I am not looking for something to earn a check for a while. It was always my dream to work in LE or Corrections. I consider it an honorable career. I apologize for writing a book here but I wanted you folks to get a chance to know me and also ask some veteran correction officers what my chances are of getting this position? Does my 96 on the written throw some weight? Does my age (maturity :D ) work for me or against me? Any replies or advice will be greatly appreciated. Don't be nice - I respect straight up opinions. ;)

Stay safe,

Mike

[co1669]

First let me start by saying the best of luck to you.Your age will not work against you.In age there is wisdom.As long as you can physically do the job your age will not be a problem.As far as your score goes it will get you near the top of the list.Any questions please feel free to ask.I am a Correction officer in New York City on Rikers Island for the last 12 years.I have been through and seen allot in corrections.

[CT_CO_Recruit]

Originally Posted by co1669

First let me start by saying the best of luck to you.Your age will not work against you.In age there is wisdom.As long as you can physically do the job your age will not be a problem.As far as your score goes it will get you near the top of the list.Any questions please feel free to ask.I am a Correction officer in New York City on Rikers Island for the last 12 years.I have been through and seen allot in corrections.

My God - A CO at Riker's. Talk about BTDT!

Thank you for the advice. I do agree with you that the age thing may actually work in my favor. If you can handle a wife and 2 kids then inmates should be a breeze! :eek:

Like I said, the next big day is May 6th for the physical agility. I am not going to sound cocky but just say I know what has to be done to pass and I have no interest in going there that day to fail!

After that is oral interview, background and medical check.

I am really pumped about this and I am happy it took getting laid off from my job to send me back to what is actually the job I wanted to work long ago. I am sure you understand that when you have a family, mortgage and 2 car payments that having a stable job for as long as I did made it tough to want to make a change.

Watch your butt out on that Island and I will check back with you regarding any questions that pop up.

Mike

[EHPD34]

Hey CT CO R, Im in the same process you are and have my physical agility test coming also, April 28. Thousands of people took the test, so good luck to us both !

[CT_CO_Recruit]

Originally Posted by EHPD34

Hey CT CO R, Im in the same process you are and have my physical agility test coming also, April 28. Thousands of people took the test, so good luck to us both !

Hi EHPD34,

I don't want to sound like a fool or arrogant but when I went for the written test I took a good look around the room and honestly did not feel too threatened. I saw many who I suspect may have problems with the physical agility. Then you figure after they run priors and work histories we should loose a few more. After scoring 96 on the written I know as long as I do well on the agility I should move on.

If you have any questions about corrections post them in this thread and co1669 can help you out. He is a BTDT (been there done that) CO at Riker's Island and a squared away guy.

I wish you the best also. If you go to the different state's area and click on CT you will see a thread started by another guy that is in the process with us. There are a lot of rumors about when and if how many will be hired but it must cost the state some cash to put on these testing processes so I really doubt with things the way they are budget wise right now they would put one on without the intention of hiring some officers.

Good luck and my e-mail is mrougeot3@navyseals.com - I don't know where you are but I live on the Litchfield/Cornwall line.

Mike

[bklynjava]

Glad you posted this CT_CO_R I'm 41 and had some similar questions that have been answered here.

Good to see our age wont work against us and is a possible plus.
I'm also married with 3 kids and in excellent physical shape. I just passed my exam on 4-25 so I have some time until I get anything in the mail. I was told something like 6 months.

I'm looking forward to corrections, I started the process for PO when I was 35 but due to various circumstances (work, family, etc) I had to drop it. :(

All the best.

[BeerBudget]

Man, I am still a bit wowed that our SO has no physical agility test or written test for hiring. Crazy. We get the crap run out of us during the academy though.
Good luck to you in your process, and I hope you get the job.