Applicant with a Few questions... Military and such.

[Godspeed409]

Hello. Just found the site and glad i did. Im a Sacramento native, and currently with the Army's 3rd Infantry Div. In beautiful Baghdad, Iraq. Im set to get back, and get out within the next 4 months,and would love to walk out of the army, and straight into the academy, but i realize due to location, and the rather legthly highering process, thats not possible. I have already filled out the basic application, and dropped it back in the mail. I have a couple of very basic questions.. I appreciate the help from all that reply.

1. PT during the academy seems to consist of mostly running, situps, and pushups.. All of which the army had prepared me for, im in excellent physical shape and have no problems. I would like to know if theres anything else to prepare for in mean time.

2. Can you bring a POV (Privately Owned Vehicle) to the academy?

3. Realisticly, I was told prior to my Army Basic training i would recive a weekend pass if we did we well during the week at the end of my cycle. That NEVER occured, in fact, the first pass i got was on graduation. Can i expect similar treatment? Or do you actually get time off on wendsdays and weekends? I wish to prepare my wife and myself mentally before i attend.

4. Veterans Preference points: How much are they really worth? Im not disabled, but qualify for the 10 additional points. Could someone give me a basic explaination of the program? and where those extra points come into effect?

5. I am prepared to move my wife and myself anywhere in california without any trouble. Do they have a "Dream Sheet" or a wish list so to speak on where you'd like to go?

Thank you, And happy Veterans day!

[dw]

Welcome, Godspeed

I can't emphasize enough to run, run, run... Other than what you mentioned, there's not a lot else to prepare for PT. Just think cardiovascular health, not bulk.

Yes, you can drive a POV to the Academy and park it there.

You will be allowed liberty most weekends. You will be required to work on two or three Saturdays, but we were allowed to leave on Friday and return Saturday morning. Otherwise, you will only lose a weekend if you fail a test. I tell applicant's not to expect Wednesday night liberty, but if you get it, great. Three gigs and you lose a Wednesday liberty. In the first couple weeks, it is easy to lose several Wednesdays.

The Veterans points are huge. The written and PAT are pass/fail tests. Your QAP score is what determines if you move on to backgrounds. The 10 points are added to your QAP score and make a significant impact.

Prior to graduation (about eight weeks), you will be given a dream sheet of all the Areas accepting new offices. Generally, the Bay Area, LA Area, a few in the desert. You will rank where you want to go from the first to last. (See this thread (http://www.chpforums.com/Default.aspx?g=posts&t=54) for the assignment criteria.)

Good luck!

[Your Mentor]

Welcome Godspeed!
I want to say that we're proud of you and appreciate what you're doing in Iraq. I hope you can come home to a new career and an agency that will welcome your skills and training. Good luck with the hiring process and ask us any questions you have. We're here to help you join the ranks of an agency we love and believe in.