Tweet
I’ll try and make this as short as possible and to the point. Similar questions have been asked, but none quite like mine. I’m also posting this in 2 sections, one to get a police point of view, the other to get a local point of view.
Short version: 9 years ago I was discharged from the Army during basic training for “mental stress syndrome†I can give you a million excuses but essentially I made a bad decision, lied, and told a DS that I was having suicidal thoughts. When I felt like I wasn’t being taken seriously I took a couple of Tylenol, told the DS’ and was sent to the hospital and stayed the night there. I was discharged within 2 weeks. I was discharged under “uncharacterizedâ€. I’ve never tried to have the discharge changed, it was an immature response to a problem and something that I still feel shame about to this day.
Fast forward 9 years. I’m currently 27, have worked in the medical field for the last 5 years ( little award ceremony in 2 weeks ). I have decent credit, but there are a few small blemishes along the way. I own 2 vehicles, have money in savings and am doing well on that front. I’m in decent shape and have passed every PT test that I’ve taken. I have had no history of psychological care of any sort since my time in the Army. I’ve taken a few basic handgun shooting courses, attended a “citizen’s academy†and have been on more ride-alongs than I can count. I cannot get hired to save my life.
This morning I got confirmation that I did not meet the hiring standards of the latest, and that could/would not provide any more information than that. This is after passing the written test, the PT test, the BI investigation and the polygraph. My last test was the psych interview and then a final pass-around of my packet. Keep in mind (may not make a difference) this was for a corrections position for a local county, not road deputy. This is the farthest in the process I have been in, and to be frank, this is the first time when I’ve felt really stinking hopeless about the situation.
This puts me at a grand total of 11 “No’sâ€. 5 of these have been for “reserve†positions, 2 for corrections, and one for a community service officer. I refuse to stop trying, I’ve wanted to have a badge on my chest since I was a boy. I’m just wondering if anyone has an advice….stories…constructive criticism….anything. Plus I’m venting.
Short version: 9 years ago I was discharged from the Army during basic training for “mental stress syndrome†I can give you a million excuses but essentially I made a bad decision, lied, and told a DS that I was having suicidal thoughts. When I felt like I wasn’t being taken seriously I took a couple of Tylenol, told the DS’ and was sent to the hospital and stayed the night there. I was discharged within 2 weeks. I was discharged under “uncharacterizedâ€. I’ve never tried to have the discharge changed, it was an immature response to a problem and something that I still feel shame about to this day.
Fast forward 9 years. I’m currently 27, have worked in the medical field for the last 5 years ( little award ceremony in 2 weeks ). I have decent credit, but there are a few small blemishes along the way. I own 2 vehicles, have money in savings and am doing well on that front. I’m in decent shape and have passed every PT test that I’ve taken. I have had no history of psychological care of any sort since my time in the Army. I’ve taken a few basic handgun shooting courses, attended a “citizen’s academy†and have been on more ride-alongs than I can count. I cannot get hired to save my life.
This morning I got confirmation that I did not meet the hiring standards of the latest, and that could/would not provide any more information than that. This is after passing the written test, the PT test, the BI investigation and the polygraph. My last test was the psych interview and then a final pass-around of my packet. Keep in mind (may not make a difference) this was for a corrections position for a local county, not road deputy. This is the farthest in the process I have been in, and to be frank, this is the first time when I’ve felt really stinking hopeless about the situation.
This puts me at a grand total of 11 “No’sâ€. 5 of these have been for “reserve†positions, 2 for corrections, and one for a community service officer. I refuse to stop trying, I’ve wanted to have a badge on my chest since I was a boy. I’m just wondering if anyone has an advice….stories…constructive criticism….anything. Plus I’m venting.
Comment