Need Serious Life Changing Advice.

[NguyenVanDon]

Hey guys, I've been thinking really hard about a month now what I'm going to do with my life. I'm 22 years old and I'm barely keeping a good GPA in college. I was never good at school in my life and as of right now, I'm sitting here try to make a hard decision of what I should do.

I've been looking into SWAT School. I've been watching Dallas SWAT on TV the last 2 seasons and I'm addicted to that show. I told myself I really wanted to go do what those guys do for a living. A couple of my friends think I'm joking around, but I've been doing research about it. I've been thinking about joining the LE ever since I graduated HS. It's been already 5 years and I'm going nowhere in my life as of right now.

- What should I do?
- How do you become SWAT?
- Where can I register to take classes and training?
- Requirements? (IE. HS Diploma or College Diploma)

This is what I found, but I need more information...

http://www.ttpoa.org/default.aspx


Any advice or help is welcome.

Thanks...

[KBCraig]

I've been looking into SWAT School. I've been watching Dallas SWAT on TV the last 2 seasons and I'm addicted to that show. I told myself I really wanted to go do what those guys do for a living.

I'll try to break this to you gently... if you've never had a police job of any type (or even if you have), and you have such a burning desire to do what you see on "Dallas SWAT", then you're psychologically unsuitable to be a police officer of any type, much less SWAT.

[NguyenVanDon]

I've been looking into SWAT School. I've been watching Dallas SWAT on TV the last 2 seasons and I'm addicted to that show. I told myself I really wanted to go do what those guys do for a living.

I'll try to break this to you gently... if you've never had a police job of any type (or even if you have), and you have such a burning desire to do what you see on "Dallas SWAT", then you're psychologically unsuitable to be a police officer of any type, much less SWAT.

Yeah, that's what I've been told.

I've talk to one of my uncle's friend that is in training to become an LEO. He said that I got to go through basic training like ever LEO go through. Then get some experience on the field as an LEO for a couple of years. Then if you feel like moving up, then I can apply to SWAT School to see if they would accept or deny me.

[KD5NRH]

I've been looking into SWAT School. I've been watching Dallas SWAT on TV the last 2 seasons and I'm addicted to that show. I told myself I really wanted to go do what those guys do for a living.

Unnecessarily risking the lives of police and civilians to bust somebody for having a couple ounces of weed?

Wasting taxpayer money on things like this and this?

You'll have to be more specific.

[NguyenVanDon]

I've been looking into SWAT School. I've been watching Dallas SWAT on TV the last 2 seasons and I'm addicted to that show. I told myself I really wanted to go do what those guys do for a living.

Unnecessarily risking the lives of police and civilians to bust somebody for having a couple ounces of weed?

Wasting taxpayer money on things like this and this?

You'll have to be more specific.

Lets start at becoming an LEO first. I've been thinking about pursuing my career into LE. I've been think hard about it for a month. I really don't know what to do.

[carlson1]

NguyenVanDon God bless you for your desire. I am not one of those who feels SWAT or narcotics is a waste of time. Maybe it is because I spent 7 years in deep undercover. I know that I grew up in LE family. My dad retired after 37 years a Chief Deputy in Smith County, my sister just retired after 28 years at Smith County, my brother is a Major for Texas Parks and Wildlife (going on his 29th year). I started out working in the jail at 18. I spent 3 years working in jail at night going to college during the day. I graduated in a Secular College in 3 1/2 years. I also attended East Texas Police Academy in Kilgore Texas and graduated as valedictorian of my class. After working for 1 1/2 as a deputy I was accepted into the States Academy and started ALL over. It started in the jail. Many departments hire from the jail to the street. From the street to SWAT. I hope you meet your goals. That is what is great about this Country. You CAN DO ANYTHING you put your mind to - It just takes TIME. Your young hang in there and begin putting your applications in for some Detention experience. TDCJ, Private Prisons, City and County Jails - Just a thought keep pondering “SWAT� in your heart and don’t let anyone in on your secret. You remember when folks are in need that want some dope dealer they want the police. Crack Dealers are always welcome as long as they live across town, but when they move in next door then they want the NARCS and the SWAT and the KGB and anyone else who will help. Go for your dream!

Edit: To find a job - go here:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&btnG= ... sults&cd=2

http://dallas.citysearch.com/yellowpage ... page1.html



Go in person, wearing a suit and tie, clean shaven, fill out the applications. Many departments still have some men of integrity and character and that makes an impression. A lot of departments have no requirments other than a High School diploma and some collge is a plus. By the way it helps if you have good credit, good driving record, and no arrest record for ANYTHING.
I hope this helps some.

[NguyenVanDon]

NguyenVanDon God bless you for your desire. I am not one of those who feels SWAT or narcotics is a waste of time. Maybe it is because I spent 7 years in deep undercover. I know that I grew up in LE family. My dad retired after 37 years a Chief Deputy in Smith County, my sister just retired after 28 years at Smith County, my brother is a Major for Texas Parks and Wildlife (going on his 29th year). I started out working in the jail at 18. I spent 3 years working in jail at night going to college during the day. I graduated in a Secular College in 3 1/2 years. I also attended East Texas Police Academy in Kilgore Texas and graduated as valedictorian of my class. After working for 1 1/2 as a deputy I was accepted into the States Academy and started ALL over. It started in the jail. Many departments hire from the jail to the street. From the street to SWAT. I hope you meet your goals. That is what is great about this Country. You CAN DO ANYTHING you put your mind to - It just takes TIME. Your young hang in there and begin putting your applications in for some Detention experience. TDCJ, Private Prisons, City and County Jails - Just a thought keep pondering “SWAT� in your heart and don’t let anyone in on your secret. You remember when folks are in need that want some dope dealer they want the police. Crack Dealers are always welcome as long as they live across town, but when they move in next door then they want the NARCS and the SWAT and the KGB and anyone else who will help. Go for your dream!

Edit: To find a job - go here:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&btnG= ... sults&cd=2

http://dallas.citysearch.com/yellowpage ... page1.html



Go in person, wearing a suit and tie, clean shaven, fill out the applications. Many departments still have some men of integrity and character and that makes an impression. A lot of departments have no requirments other than a High School diploma and some collge is a plus. By the way it helps if you have good credit, good driving record, and no arrest record for ANYTHING.
I hope this helps some.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I will take it to heart.

None of my family are in the LE. I've got a friend that just moved to Oregon and is going to start Police Academy Training in August. The reason he moved up there is because his girlfriend lives there. He told me that he is ready and pumped up for it. He's in the same boat as me. He was doing really bad in school and one day it just clicked in his head what he really wanted to do, becoming a LE. He was telling me that I should go for it and test the waters to see how I like it. I told him I give it a thinker for a month or 2 to see where I stand.

This is a really hard decision for me because my mom is worried sick of me being shot at. She told me to choose a different career, but I told her this is what I really want to do no matter if the pay is low. It took her awhile to realize how much I wanted this, so she told me do what you love and pursue it then. My dad on the other hand doesn't care what I do, as long I got a stable job.

I'm going to give it till the end of this month to see what I want to do. From now until the end of July I'll still be open for more suggestion, advice, and personal experience of members on this board that are still active, quit, or retired for the LE.

Thanks a lot fellas...


Edit:

I live in the Arlington, DFW area. I'm going to do it closer to home so I don't have to drive all the way to Dallas everyday. Thanks for the heads up. I'm going to look into it.

[carlson1]

This is a really hard decision for me because my mom is worried sick of me being shot at.

That is why she is a "MOM" you would not want her any other way.

My dad on the other hand doesn't care what I do, as long I got a stable job.

Hello! That is why he is "DAD" he just does not want to get you out of jail

what I really want to do no matter if the pay is low.

You may be surprised. I was shocked when I seen some of the jails started off at $15.00 an hour. My brother is not living low. Did you notice some of the homes on Dallas SWAT? - it ain't so bad living.

[NguyenVanDon]

This is a really hard decision for me because my mom is worried sick of me being shot at.

That is why she is a "MOM" you would not want her any other way.

My dad on the other hand doesn't care what I do, as long I got a stable job.

Hello! That is why he is "DAD" he just does not want to get you out of jail

what I really want to do no matter if the pay is low.

You may be surprised. I was shocked when I seen some of the jails started off at $15.00 an hour. My brother is not living low. Did you notice some of the homes on Dallas SWAT? - it ain't so bad living.

Yeah, I saw their houses. It's pretty nice. 2 story houses living in the suburbs.

Well, it's getting late. I'm going to sleep on this tonight and check back tomorrow morning. Thanks for the late night talk Carlson1. I appreciated it. Good night

[seamusTX]

Hey guys, I've been thinking really hard about a month now what I'm going to do with my life. I'm 22 years old and I'm barely keeping a good GPA in college.

OK. You asked for it.

The definition of work is something that they have to pay you to do because no one volunteers to do it for fun. You have to develop a work ethic. I did badly in school until some wise teachers took off the gloves and knocked that into my head. I did not appreciate it at the time, but I have become grateful.

I have never been a police officer, never wanted to be. I knew some from an early age. They have terrible rates of alcoholism, divorce, and suicide.

- Jim

[chewy555]

I'm going to give it till the end of this month to see what I want to do. From now until the end of July I'll still be open for more suggestion, advice, and personal experience of members on this board that are still active, quit, or retired for the LE.

From what I have been reading in here I think that you need to take a little more time then till the end of this month. This is something that you are looking at doing with the rest of your life. Some times it take more then a day or two to know what it is.
Work on getting your grades up some. When you go to try and find a job as a police officer they might look at your grades and see that as something that could keep you out.
I would say get your college degree and then look at becoming a police officer. I know that it takes time to do it all, but as others have said, You can do anything it just takes time.
I wish you the best of luck in this. As I myself am thinking about becoming a police officer too.

[Lodge2004]

Every consider going into the military? You could gain some work experience, get valuable training, travel and possibly finish your college work in a few years. After a few years, you could get out and apply for an LEO position and still continue your military service through the Reserves/National Guard.

I've never been in law enforcement, but when I deployed to Iraq in 1990 our unit included the Army CH-47 pilots and crews from Dallas. It seemed at the time that many/most of them were Dallas PD or other city employees.

[jbirds1210]

Sign on with the prison system for a little while.....good benefits and they will work with your desire for adrenalin. It will look good on your future applications.

I consider it a good test to dress up in the funny ninja clothes, but not have a gun......gives things a different angle

A little prison work teaches you to use your head....because you really don't have anything else in that environment to keep you from getting killed.

I gave them seven years...wouldn't trade it for anything!

[Right-Wing-Nut]

My best friend growing up became a police officer for the Atlanta PD. About 10 years ago he went on a domestic disturbance call. He was walking up an apartment staircase to check things out when some "mentally disurbed" vermin opened fire, killing him instantly. The vermin then fired at my friends partner, nearly killing her also. My buddy was Officer John "Rick" Sowa and he was a good guy- RIP. He had just got married. Being a police officer is serious business and it isn't to be taken lightly. Good luck.

[kw5kw]

College? How much do you have?

you might wish to ck out the requirements of becoming a
State Trooper.