I'm going to go back and read through the whole thread, but I figured I could start some dialogue and maybe get feedback at the same time.
I've been kind of getting the stuck in a rut feeling with my life, and want to get back to doing something. I did 10 years in the USCG under the "Jobs that Matter" banner, wanting to be a part of something bigger then myself. While it was the case, most of the time I had things outside of my control dragging me down, so I ended up leaving. I went into commercial HVAC and did that for several years, did pretty well, but just not satisfied. I tried school for a while with my GI Bill, but at the time I had a lack of motivation (hard to explain) so I went back to work. I have since moved on from commercial AC to try and find what I want to be, and I am kind of thinking that CHP is somewhere I should look.
It seems to be, and I have't done a ride along yet, that the CHP has a lot of programs and finding a fit shouldn't be hard. I may be wrong, and you can correct me, but it seems CHP is a bit more of a safety enforcement agency. I want to look further, but I have a funny feeling that typical city law enforcement isn't what I am looking for, but I am willing to look.
The pro's from where I come from:
-Fitness-that won't be a problem. I'm an ultra runner and triathlete.
-Being a part of a para military organization (as the CHP says)-10 years of military proves that I'm fine with COC, uniforms, weapons, etc.
-Experience-I'm 34 and I've done a lot of stuff, been a lot of places, and know myself pretty well at this point (except career, we won't count that
). 15 years of marriage too.
-Flexible with schedule and location. 10 years military helps, plus not only was my wife military but she was also the daughter of a Navy Chief. I've had to work some long and intense hours in HVAC, so long days are okay (not to mention being a ships mechanic). My current job has three different shifts I work throughout the week; so I wake up at 2am, 5am, and 8am depending on the day. I commute by bicycle 2 hours each way.
-One traffic ticket when I was 16 for an illegal left hand turn, nothing since then. No arrests, nothing.
Cons:
-I've got some education, but I haven't completed a degree. Mostly my fault, but most times I always had some sort of road block and I keep having to go back (deployments, moving, work schedule, class schedules, finances, always something). I try to keep on top of my skills when I go back I don't have to feel like a moron from the stuff I have forgotten, practicing math online, reading science and literature to keep up on modern and keep my vocabulary, etc.
-I'm 34, CHP says they cap at 35, so I don't have a lot of time to apply (35 in 2/15).
-Questionable credit history. Every time I get caught up on finances something comes along to sink my battleship. I always get it fixed and pay everything off, never filed bankruptcy even though I probably should have. I did get a security clearance in the military still even with the credit issue, so it isn't the end of the world.
I'm kind of the burn the candle in a pit of fire type, both ends are just too slow
I'm training for a 50k at the same time as an Ironman (50k tomorrow, Ironman in two weeks). Plus dealing with some health issues with my wife and trying to support her while out of work (not fun on my meager income) and actually enjoy myself, it is a very wild ride