USAF to CHP?

[Coda]

I'm leaving the military in December '07 and moving back to Cali. I have been looking at local and County agencies in Nor Cal...but am MOSTLY looking at CHP. I fly right now and noticed that there is a station in Auburn...which also has aircraft....so my wife, kids and I would like to settle down there.

What would the chances of me being stationed in the Auburn area straight out of the Academy?

When should I apply?

[CGMK]

I'm leaving the military in December '07 and moving back to Cali. I have been looking at local and County agencies in Nor Cal...but am MOSTLY looking at CHP. I fly right now and noticed that there is a station in Auburn...which also has aircraft....so my wife, kids and I would like to settle down there.

What would the chances of me being stationed in the Auburn area straight out of the Academy?

When should I apply?

Welcome to the forum CCoda. I am set to RELAD around the same time as you, probably have similar questions as me (except the air-dale stuff). I have found most of my questions regarding (military) hiring, billets, special assignments, etc. can be addressesd if you run a search. The search option on here has cut down the number of questions I have asked my recruiter. Good luck bro.

[Coda]

thanks...

[Mac]

...What would the chances of me being stationed in the Auburn area straight out of the Academy?
Short answer - slim to none. Maybe somebody closer to that area can confirm or deny, but I don't EVER recall an officer going into Auburn straight out of the Academy.

Here's how it works: When an opening comes up in an office (due to retirement, somebody transferring out, etc.), it's filled first by transfers on file (seniority rules unless there's an open bilingual position, in which case they'll bypass straight seniority and fill the position with the most senior certified bilingual officer with a transfer on file). If an opening exists and nobody has a transfer on file, the spot is filled with a new officer from the Academy. Most "desirable" offices (of which Auburn is one of many) have a long list of transfers on file waiting to get in; therefore, it has to be a total freak circumstance for a new officer to land one of those slots. Now, take a guess which offices might have open slots with no transfers on file to fill them? Mostly very busy offices in urban areas which are either high-crime and/or too expensive to live in. There are occasional exceptions to the rule, of course - but the bottom line is that the chances of getting into places like Auburn, Grass Valley, Chico, Oroville, etc. as a new officer are very, very, very slim. Not impossible, but the next closest thing to it.

[dw]

I'm sure there are some better informed than me, but I would guess on average Auburn would be a 10+ year wait -- a couple of flukes excepted. Remember also that if you are fortunate enough to go to such an office with little time on, you will be at the bottom of the seniority ladder for a very long time. That means (in most offices) the shift, beat, vacation, and days off that no one else wants. If you go to a less senior area as Mac suggested, you'll have some say in such matters with only a few years on the job.

You asked about AirOps in another thread and keep in mind that Valley Division is more senior than Golden Gate or Southern Divisions, so if you are hoping to fly, you may want to set your sights on those areas.

[Coda]

Again, I appreciate your input! Just trying to figure this thing out before my separation date next year.

Thanks!

[Afrmthabay]

Good luck with everything...