quandry....

[sickboyjohn]

Oh boy..well, over the last year, I have pursued a career in both the chp and the u.s. border patrol, well I am currently in the BI portion of the CHP, and I just got the call from the border patrol to report to artesia, NM on june 11th (academy). Its a long story as to why I've pursued a career in both, but long story short, CHP is the job I truly desire. Seeing as they only gave me three weeks notice before reporting, i accepted. Can anyone give me some advice, I grew up in SoCal, and have always been enamored with the CHP and what it represents, and this is the job i REALLY want. I haven't yet, but will inform my BI of the situation. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank You.

[sdapplicant]

Good morning,

I was in the same shoes you were, except that when I got the call to report to Artesia, I was almost done with all of steps. I accepted the Border Patrol job because I wasn't sure if I was going to get medically cleared or not (had some problems with eyesight). I couldn't pass on a career with the Border Patrol to later find out that I didn't clear medical, it would have been devistating for me and my finally. I took the job and headed over to Artesia to begin training knowing that if the CHP called, I would quit.

I received my invitation last week and I resigned from the Border Patrol the very next day. The flip side for you is that if you accept the BP job, most likely you will not be able to finish the hiring process because you will be in Artesia when the CHP calls for the final interview, cvsa, medical and psych.

Is it worth it? Maybe, I don't know, It depends on your situation.

Do you have wife and kids who depend on you for support?

Can you afford to not take the BP job, wait until the NEXT CHP Academy and "hope" that you make it through the process?

Are you willing to decline to this BP job and reapply again? (Some of the steps you have completed are still valid so you will not have to redo them.)

[Punisher]

Sickboyjohn,

I think you said it yourself. The CHP is the job you really want. One of my best friends got out of the service about two years before I did. CHP was the job he wanted but he was impatient and took a job with the Dept. of Corrections because they offered him the job first. He got comfortable with the money he was making and said he didn't want to have to go through another Academy and start from scratch. Fast forward eleven years and he is one of the youngest lieutenants in that department. He is making a truckload of money but he absolutely hates his job. He is beyond turning back now and will be wondering what if for the rest of his life. We have this discussion everytime I see him.

You are talking about a long term commitment. The USBP is certainly a good job and it may be right for you. Sdapplicant is right, it depends on your situation. Does your family need this job right now or can you hold out for what you really want. Sometimes you have to just pay the bills, but IMHO you should go after what will make you happy. Good Luck!

[ResQ]

I was in your shoes...I applied for DEA, USPB, and CHP all at the same time and said, whoever I get the first call from I will go with (I just got off of active duty and was desperate). BP called first and I learned that their organization was facing some troubles...and they were predicting that they would be right where they are today. Gotta love the guys and gals who do that job...but it sucks that they are in the position they are in as of today. Politics and Controversy?! Enough on that you can google it. I waited for CHP and was fortunate enough to get a call soon after. The process was faster in the end and with all the bodies the CHP is trying to hire...it seems as though if you can clear BP then you should clear CHP too...so if it the job you really want, then go for CHP. You can still get to SoCal really easily with CHP where as you may end up in south tejas in some dusty little town with no internet...