CTC I-06: Brief Weekly Updates

[cadetspouse]

In keeping with the tradition of not divulging too much information about the Academy, I will just post a general update on what public information my spouse discusses with me. My apologies for any typos or incorrect information.

Friendly FYI for Week 1 of 27:
--- There were 75 persons hired as Cadets for CTC I-06 (Males: 69 and Females: 6). At the end of Week 1's weekend liberty sign-out, only 69 Cadets remained (Males: 64 and Females: 5).
--- Generally, less than 10% were able to keep up with PT Staff during their first full day of PT, which included calisthenics, pull-ups and running. Cadets are sufficiently forewarned about the rigorous physical training regimen they need to perform in order to be prepared for the Academy.
--- During Week 1 the Cadets took their first POST exam for one completed Learning Domain. Some Cadets failed and will already be serving their first restricted weekend during this upcoming St. Patrick's Day weekend.
--- To my spouse's knowledge thus far, the majority of Cadets came from Southern California.
--- Cadets were not allowed a Wednesday Liberty during Week 1, nor were they allowed to use their mobile phones.

Note:
--- Graduation for CTC IV-05 is scheduled for Friday, May 19, 2006.
--- Graduation for CTC I-06 is scheduled for Friday, September 8, 2006.

[PharmGirl]

I find that crazy that they say they can't use their cell phones (for the first week) For one..these men and women have lives outside of CHP...yes I know they put those aside while in the academy however, how can they tell them they can't call?? And that makes me wonder how many of them needed info for all the paperwork that they filled out like their children's SS#'s or their spouses license plate, etc....
Things have changed thats for sure!

[cadetspouse]

And that makes me wonder how many of them needed info for all the paperwork that they filled out like their children's SS#'s or their spouses license plate, etc....

Cadets were notified prior to their report date and at the pre-Academy Orientation to bring an index card with all necessary information for spouses and/or children, beneficiary information, automobile records, and insurance policies, etc.

In reality, there was no need to use a mobile phone other than for homesick reasons. Cadets were under too much stress and were too busy getting adjusted to their new "lifestyles." That was just part of the adjustment, and besides, family members are given an Academy telephone number to call in case of emergencies and a mailing address to send letters to their Cadet.

[Officer_Grady]

sounds like prison. They must offer visiting days?

[KingFrankSam]

sounds like prison. They must offer visiting days?

Ya, just like prison, except that they are paid around $3,000 a month, they get a valuable education, they get to drive fast cars, and shoot cool guns, they get a well-paid career with awesome benefits upon graduation, and... They can choose to leave whenever they want.

Other than that, it is exactly like prison. ;)

[RodeoChippie]

..these men and women have lives outside of CHP...

There will be no such thing as a life outside the CHP until sometime after September 8, 2006. Most likely it won't start until the end of break-in. But thats the life we choose.

[PharmGirl]

..these men and women have lives outside of CHP...

There will be no such thing as a life outside the CHP until sometime after September 8, 2006. Most likely it won't start until the end of break-in. But thats the life we choose.

Ya I know, thats why I said...I know they put those aside while at the academy...but I am talking about real life...you know the wife that had brain surgery just days prior to her husband leaving for the academy...or the wife that had the miscarriage while he is gone..or on break-in...TRUST ME THOSE HAVE HAPPENED! I know...I was one of them, and I know the others...so ya my husband called me, not every night and it wasn't expected but he never went a week without calling.
So ya I understand...what they are doing there and it is needed, yes I have gotten that 1am phone call and the 2pm call from the Srgt.(Something I never want to live thru again I might add) I think it is equally important how much support the Cadets get from their families also. Some actually quit because their families can't take it.
I also understand how important that first week is....

[decon]

I suppose your expecting an 8-5 job with weekends and holidays off too.

[cadetspouse]

I suppose your expecting an 8-5 job with weekends and holidays off too.

decon - I am not sure if you were addressing that statement to me or PharmGirl, but no, I don't have those expectations. I work for a government agency where I take my work home often. I met LEOs from various agencies prior to my Cadet even applying, and I was aware of the realities of a non-traditional work schedule for CHP Officers. I actually encouraged my Cadet to apply to the department last year. I had just found it odd that Cadets weren't allowed to use their mobile phones during the first week because there was no mention of that policy during family members' Q&A at the pre-Academy Orientation.

[SB 405]

Oh I got's me a feeln' those cadets are experiencing a number of things not talked about during the Q&A the least of which may be when they can or can not use the phone:lol:

[PharmGirl]

I suppose your expecting an 8-5 job with weekends and holidays off too.

Me? No way....I knew what I signed up for...Single parenthood Baby! My son who is 5 now....has NEVER 'lived' with his father....tho, yes we are married, but those 'needs of the dept' come first...that and the freeze didn't help either.
Besides who has an 8-5 job now a days anyway?? I work 6am-3pm. Weekends are just days off...no need to call the Sat and Sun. Holidays are days you spend with your family no matter what month it is. :biggrin:

But come to think of it...when he was on 4800 time he did have all holidays off :razz:

[Mac]

Oh I got's me a feeln' those cadets are experiencing a number of things not talked about during the Q&A.... LOL...once again you're right on the mark, SB 405! :biggrin:

[cadetspouse]

Friendly FYI for Mid-Week 2 of 27:
--- Since last update and as of yesterday afternoon, four more male Cadets have quit the Academy. This brings to number of remaining Cadets to 65 (Males: 60 and Females: 5). CTC I-06 began with 75 persons hired as Cadets (Males: 69 and Females:6). So, 10 Cadets have quit in less than 10 calendar days.
--- Many Cadets have started to lose Wednesday Liberty now.
--- Those required to eat on the Training Table started this week.

[SB 405]

From what I've learned large numbers of people washing out within the first couple of weeks is pretty normal.

[cadetspouse]

From what I've learned large numbers of people washing out within the first couple of weeks is pretty normal.

SB 405 - Are you a CHP Officer? Did you make it through the Academy already? If so, what was you experience there like?

[Mac]

From what I've learned large numbers of people washing out within the first couple of weeks is pretty normal.
At this stage they're not washing out - they're quitting. You don't start "washing out" until you start taking tests, and academic instruction has barely begun at this point. The early-outs are mostly non-hackers who gave up because they lacked the intestinal fortitude to handle the structure, discipline and hard work.

[SB 405]

From what I've learned large numbers of people washing out within the first couple of weeks is pretty normal.

SB 405 - Are you a CHP Officer? Did you make it through the Academy already? If so, what was you experience there like?No I'm not in the the field of LE. I'm just here to learn (and I've learned a ton from these guys) how things are done. It must be rubbing off a little because I sometimes find myself knowing the answers to peoples questions....go figure;)

[SB 405]

From what I've learned large numbers of people washing out within the first couple of weeks is pretty normal.
At this stage they're not washing out - they're quitting. You don't start "washing out" until you start taking tests, and academic instruction has barely begun at this point. The early-outs are mostly non-hackers who gave up because they lacked the intestinal fortitude to handle the structure, discipline and hard work.Okay then Mac let's call it the "Holy sh#@ I had no idea" factor until the real testing begins...better?

[makakona]

i'm hoping this shows up... i've been road-tripping for a week and a half with two toddlers... we're currently in the barstow bk so they can expend energy before we hit the road again. point being, i'm typing this on my cell phone. oh, and i hate all of you officers who flew past me on the shoulder today while i sat for 2.5 hours in 15s traffic. :razz:

i don't get it. i just don't GET it. what's with the feelings of entitlement? the cadets at the academy are safe, warm, being fed, and no one is shooting at them. more than some spouses can say about their loved ones, you know? let's keep things in perspective...

if you have brain surgery or a miscarriage, feel free to contact your cadet every night between 8:15 to 8:45. if you are lucky enough to live close to the academy, soak up your weekends. that's what those times are in place for. if you are incapable of handling very short-term separation, despite having regular contact, you should probably find someone to talk to.

it's insulting to true single mothers to compare life as a cadet spouse to life with no spouse at all. when my husband is gone, i still have a husband and my kids still have a father. we can rely upon regular pay and regular contact. we receive regular emotional, physical, financial, spiritual, and all other forms of support. and we know that separation is short-term.

i feel sorry for the cadets who have spouses who are unable to handle the brief academy separation. perhaps they could invest their energies in new hobbies or charity work? my husband's academy "tour" was spent ten hours away from me and my two very small children. less-than-ideal? sure! tolerable? OF COURSE! the wife of one of my husband's fellow cadets constantly complained about how heart-wrenching it was to not see her cadet monday through thursday. sheesh! and i thought i was lucky to see mine once a month! :smile:

we were regularly pacified by the knowledge that our short-term sacrifice was in exchange for huge long-term gains. i'm grateful for a husband who so consistently supported us through his sacrifice and i know he was indeed grateful for a wife capable of keeping the home fires burning.

[cal911gal]

we were regularly pacified by the knowledge that our short-term sacrifice was in exchange for huge long-term gains. i'm grateful for a husband who so consistently supported us through his sacrifice and i know he was indeed grateful for a wife capable of keeping the home fires burning.

I am sure that not only was your husband grateful you kept things going while he was gone, I am sure it helped him get thru several difficult months of academy life knowing you would be happy to see him when you could, and that you supported him in his endeavours. Yours sounds like a strong marriage based upon respect and shared goals.

All I can say is: good for you!!!

Also, I am quite impressed that you did that whole post on your cell phone......wow......

[decon]

But come to think of it...when he was on 4800 time he did have all holidays off :razz:




4800 time???? WEAK!!!

[cadetspouse]

Let us hope that gender and "role" stereotypes are a thing of the past. There are both male and female Cadets at the Academy. People should not presume that "spouse at home" refers only to a wife and that Cadet refers only to a husband. Unfortunately, it appears that no one on this thread has even contemplated the possibility of a role reversal. As one reminder of the gender equality the CHP promotes is the fact that there were female Cadets who made it throuh the 27-week Academy and recently graduated from CTC II-05 and CTC III-05 when some of their male counterparts had quit or failed out. Last year, the CHP celebrated their 30-Year Anniversary of female Officers being hired on the force. My Cadet "spouse" informs me that both female PT Staff and academic instructors are just as tough or tougher than some male Staff Officers, and are certainly more physically fit and knowedable than the male and female Cadets. See CHP's Women Recruitment Webpage (http://www.chp.ca.gov/recruiting/html/women.html).

Quoted from "Recruiting to Build the CHP of Tomorrow (http://www.chp.ca.gov/recruiting/html/philosophy.html)":
"The Future of the CHP depends on the people chosen to provide service to tomorrow's community, which stands to diversify even more with time. The Purpose of the CHP Recruitment Program is to seek out men and women who will be committed to carrying out the Department's mission and to making a difference in the communities of California."

As a sidebar, California is the state with the highest number of same-sex Registered Domestic Partnerships. I suppose not all 7,000+ active CHP Officers and 100+ current CHP Cadets are heterosexual. Cadets are learning about Constituitional Rights, Discrimination Prevention, and Community Relations. Our posts should reflect the same high level of respect for equality, social issues, and legal rights that the Cadets are being taught.

[cadetspouse]

Second Friendly FYI for Mid-Week 2 of 27:
--- Since last update and as of Thursday evening, one more male Cadet has quit the Academy. This brings the number of remaining Cadets to 64 (Males: 59 and Females: 5). CTC I-06 began with 75 persons hired as Cadets (Males: 69 and Females:6). So, 11 Cadets have quit in 11 calendar days. Additionally, there are approximately 60 Cadets remaining in CTC IV-05.
--- Cadets were given their batons and handcuffs this week.


EDITED for content by dw.

[makakona]

consider me properly chastised, cadetspouse. @@ when you referred to your SPOUSE as a male, i assumed you were, indeed, a heterosexual female. i have yet to see any husbands posting here, whining about not hearing from their wives for two days, so i felt no need to address my posts as such. in all of my time as a military and chp wife, i have never once heard of a husband complaining about the separation in the manner in which the wives seem to do. stereotyping? nope, just fact.

my husband would be saddened if i were to be so devastated by not seeing him four days out of the week while he was performing temporary training that would ultimately benefit our family. and he would be mortified if my complaining was done so publicly, never mind directed to his colleagues.

there was no "gender role stereotyping," but thanks for the touchy-feely lesson. my comments were based on the FACTS that the vast majority of cadets and officers are male and the vast majority of their personal partners are of the opposite gender.

again with the cell phone, haha. i blame any lack of cohesiveness on it. :smile:

[Radar]

i'm hoping this shows up... i've been road-tripping for a week and a half with two toddlers... we're currently in the barstow bk so they can expend energy before we hit the road again. point being, i'm typing this on my cell phone. oh, and i hate all of you officers who flew past me on the shoulder today while i sat for 2.5 hours in 15s traffic. :razz:

i don't get it. i just don't GET it. what's with the feelings of entitlement? the cadets at the academy are safe, warm, being fed, and no one is shooting at them. more than some spouses can say about their loved ones, you know? let's keep things in perspective...

if you have brain surgery or a miscarriage, feel free to contact your cadet every night between 8:15 to 8:45. if you are lucky enough to live close to the academy, soak up your weekends. that's what those times are in place for. if you are incapable of handling very short-term separation, despite having regular contact, you should probably find someone to talk to.

it's insulting to true single mothers to compare life as a cadet spouse to life with no spouse at all. when my husband is gone, i still have a husband and my kids still have a father. we can rely upon regular pay and regular contact. we receive regular emotional, physical, financial, spiritual, and all other forms of support. and we know that separation is short-term.

i feel sorry for the cadets who have spouses who are unable to handle the brief academy separation. perhaps they could invest their energies in new hobbies or charity work? my husband's academy "tour" was spent ten hours away from me and my two very small children. less-than-ideal? sure! tolerable? OF COURSE! the wife of one of my husband's fellow cadets constantly complained about how heart-wrenching it was to not see her cadet monday through thursday. sheesh! and i thought i was lucky to see mine once a month! :smile:

we were regularly pacified by the knowledge that our short-term sacrifice was in exchange for huge long-term gains. i'm grateful for a husband who so consistently supported us through his sacrifice and i know he was indeed grateful for a wife capable of keeping the home fires burning.

Wow. Well said. Oh, and I'm also impressed you were able to do this on a cell phone... in a Barstow Burger King... With toddlers... (That's toddlers x2)... after a week and a half of road-tripping... In fact, I'm impressed you were able to find your cell phone...:shock: :shock: :biggrin:

[makakona]

if it's any consolation, i did manage to leave my wallet, and thus all forms of identification and all access to monetary sustenance, in a smith's grocery cart in st. george, utah. thank goodness it was utah and not south central... 16 hours later, my $200.00 wallet was in the smith's, still chock full of cash and cards. whew!

on topic, it's not like any of this was a surprise, you know? i didn't even have the benefit of whatever family class has been mentioned and i knew what to expect.

[cadetspouse]

when you referred to your SPOUSE as a male, i assumed you were, indeed, a heterosexual female. i have yet to see any husbands posting here, whining about not hearing from their wives for two days, so i felt no need to address my posts as such.

makakona - If you haven't figured it out by now, many members on this message board here post wrong genders, cities, ages, Divisions they're testing out of in order to maintain their anonymity. My spouse could be male or female - that shouldn't mater. Also, your claim that I was "whining about not hearing from [my spouse]" is misdirected. My initial thread from earlier this month only discussed my "curiosuity" of what the Cadets' first week was like. If you felt my initial thread post was a complaint worthy of one "that would mortify your husband," rest assured it didn't mortify my spouse, but instead made my spouse feel more encouraged to march on through the Academy. Furthermore, I find it discouraging to read that a person concerned for their spouse's well-being is considered a "whiner" by some.

there was no "gender role stereotyping," but thanks for the touchy-feely lesson. my comments were based on the FACTS that the vast majority of cadets and officers are male and the vast majority of their personal partners are of the opposite gender.

In addition, my post about gender role stereotyping was not directed at you. It was a general issue that I felt I needed to be brought to light considering the many applicants who post here that are female. You should not have taken my gender stereotyping comment as a personal criticism directed toward you - it is unfortunate that you felt chastised by it. I concur that the majority of Cadets and Officers are male, but the importance of "non-traditional" families or "role reversed" families within the CHP shouldn't be overlooked. I thought the CHP organization was a family whose members are supposed to support one another, not ridicule one another.

[makakona]

i'm disappointed, spouse, that you edited your original reply. i was almost done with my response when i saw the edit.

[cadetspouse]

makakona - Point blank, I edited it so it didn't sound as disrespectful as a couple of your recent messages. I intended this thread to be purely an informational thread for applicants and family members of current Cadets who are interested in reading about their weekly misfortunes and successes. However, it appers that you have hijacked it into a personal attack on my very first thread on this message board which was regarding the concern for my spouse during week 1. I still believe that the great majority of Officers, their families, and the entire CHP organization hopes to promote camaraderie and not ridicule. Because of your ridicule and name-calling, e.g. "whiner", I will no longer post my brief weekly status updates, nor answer any questions of Cadets directly on any thread. For your information, a few wives and one husband of current Officers and a handful of applicants have told me that my updates were useful, comforting, and acted as a way to reminisce, especially in this first month of a new Academy. So, for those who enjoyed the status updates and countdown of remaining Cadets and will be sad to see those updates go, just thank "makakona" for her kind and encouraging words!

10-10

[makakona]

makakona - If you haven't figured it out by now, many members on this message board here post wrong genders, cities, ages, Divisions they're testing out of in order to maintain their anonymity. My spouse could be male or female - that shouldn't mater. If you felt my initial thread post was a complaint worthy of one "that would mortify your husband," rest assured it didn't mortify my spouse, but instead made my spouse feel more encouraged to march on through the Academy. Furthermore, I find it discouraging to read that a person concerned for their spouse's well-being is considered a "whiner" by some.

In addition, my post about gender role stereotyping was not directed at you. It was a general issue that I felt I needed to be brought to light considering the many applicants who post here that are female. You should not have taken my gender stereotyping comment as a personal criticism directed toward you - it is unfortunate that you felt chastised by it. I concur that the majority of Cadets and Officers are male, but the importance of "non-traditional" families or "role reversed" families within the CHP shouldn't be overlooked. I thought the CHP organization was a family whose members are supposed to support one another, not ridicule one another.

i find it highly unlikely that any of the other posters here are lying about their gender so as to remain anonymous. HIGHLY unlikely. none of the other qualifiers (location, age) matter, as gender was the topic at hand. if you present yourself as a married female, please don't be offended when others assume you are such.

i don't understand how any cadet would be bolstered to soldier ahead, knowing that their wife, after two days, was in enough of a panic to seek out a public message board and post her concerns, never mind one that was regularly read by other officers AND staff. but hey, if your husband digs that, i guess it's true that there's a jack (or jane, as i have been reminded) for every jill! i'm not sure why you were "concerned for his well-being" after two days in a highly acclaimed law enforcement academy. what exactly do you think they do to them there? seriously...

i'm sorry you were so mislead about the function of the chp. it's actually a law enforcement agency who aims to provide the highest level of safety, service, and security to the people of california. their primary concern is NOT that their officer's companions feel well-coddled.

and, spouse, it's the internet. if you feel ridiculed by a complete stranger through your computer, perhaps you should click that x in the upper right corner.

[DESERT RAT]

I think you two should BOX ! Headline...... CadetSpouse Vs. Makakona........Winner fights----FY109.

[makakona]

makakona - Point blank, I edited it so it didn't sound as disrespectful as a couple of your recent messages. I intended this thread to be purely an informational thread for applicants and family members of current Cadets who are interested in reading about their weekly misfortunes and successes. However, it appers that you have hijacked it into a personal attack on my very first thread on this message board which was regarding the concern for my spouse during week 1. I still believe that the great majority of Officers, their families, and the entire CHP organization hopes to promote camaraderie and not ridicule. Because of your ridicule and name-calling, e.g. "whiner", I will no longer post my brief weekly status updates, nor answer any questions of Cadets directly on any thread. For your information, a few wives and one husband of current Officers and a handful of applicants have told me that my updates were useful, comforting, and acted as a way to reminisce, especially in this first month of a new Academy. So, for those who enjoyed the status updates and countdown of remaining Cadets and will be sad to see those updates go, just thank "makakona" for her kind and encouraging words!

10-10


oh, the drama. :rolleyes: it's probably best that you proceed as you've stated... i doubt your husband is thrilled to know that his staff officers are reading your posts.

11-25

[makakona]

I think you two should BOX ! Headline...... CadetSpouse Vs. Makakona........Winner fights----FY109.

word. to yo' motha. i'm more of an arm-wrestling kind of gal, but i could be persuaded to have a shoot-off or the likes...

[cadetspouse]

i don't understand how any cadet would be bolstered to soldier ahead, knowing that their wife, after two days, was in enough of a panic to seek out a public message board and post her concerns, never mind one that was regularly read by other officers AND staff. but hey, if your husband digs that, i guess it's true that there's a jack (or jane, as i have been reminded) for every jill! i'm not sure why you were "concerned for his well-being" after two days in a highly acclaimed law enforcement academy. what exactly do you think they do to them there? seriously...


See, that comment is just plain rude. You presume to know and understand the personalities and relationships of all Cadets and their spouses by making that statement. And if you actually comprehended my initial separate thread correctly, you would see that it was more "curiosity" than concern (for my spouse's health or well-being) that I wanted to hear about what was going on in the Academy.


i'm sorry you were so mislead about the function of the chp. it's actually a law enforcement agency who aims to provide the highest level of safety, service, and security to the people of california. their primary concern is NOT that their officer's companions feel well-coddled.

I can read the mission off the website and the SOP as well. Never was I "misled" of the aim of an LEA, considering I work for a federal agency. You are reading way too much into my initial thread if you think I wanted to "feel well-coddled."


and, spouse, it's the internet. if you feel ridiculed by a complete stranger through your computer, perhaps you should click that x in the upper right corner.

The same goes to you then, since you said you felt "chastised" by my post that was directed to all members.

[DESERT RAT]

You "GO GIRL"! 97-98

[RodeoChippie]

I still believe that the great majority of Officers, their families, and the entire CHP organization hopes to promote camaraderie and not ridicule.
Thats a hoot!!!:lol:

[Your Mentor]

Okay, everyone take a deep breath. Go to that happy place.

Now. The gender question may be something important for someone to explore in the initial stages of their participation, whether as a uniformed officer or as a significant other, in the law enforcement subculture. The CHP is one of the most gender neutral departments in the state. We all wear the same uniform. And the gals wear the same tie as the guys. And we do support one another regardless of gender, sexual orientation, etc. I don't think Makakona was debating the 'question' of gender or family roles.

One thing I'd like to restate here is that Academy staff has no legal authority to order cadets to stop posting on a forum, in their off-duty time, which does not compromise the Inconsistant and Incompatible Activities policy, which this forum does NOT. As long as they don't disclose restricted policy, they should be encouraged to share info. It only helps recruitment and it's far more direct than watching a video or reading a pamphlet. I mostly restate this protest in case a staff member is surfing the forum. And if one is, you can call me directly to discuss. This forum is designed to support people entering this job, not make it harder. That said, I also understand a cadet's choice to stop posting because of pressure from above. I think the Academy is making a mistake here but I don't have a voice there.

I follow this protest with an even more heartfelt one. Absolutely NO ONE, not even the governor, can tell a cadet to tell their significant other to stop posting on this forum. We do not live in a police state and the CHP is still a civilian job. Sometimes people with power percieve more power than they actually possess. It used to puzzle the hell out of me when a staff officer would bring up something like this regarding a specific cadet. It's all about control to some of the young officers working at the Academy. And many individuals in this line of work have a hard time accepting that they aren't in control of everything, all the time.

[Dipmo]

makakona - Point blank, I edited it so it didn't sound as disrespectful as a couple of your recent messages. I intended this thread to be purely an informational thread for applicants and family members of current Cadets who are interested in reading about their weekly misfortunes and successes. However, it appers that you have hijacked it into a personal attack on my very first thread on this message board which was regarding the concern for my spouse during week 1. I still believe that the great majority of Officers, their families, and the entire CHP organization hopes to promote camaraderie and not ridicule. Because of your ridicule and name-calling, e.g. "whiner", I will no longer post my brief weekly status updates, nor answer any questions of Cadets directly on any thread. For your information, a few wives and one husband of current Officers and a handful of applicants have told me that my updates were useful, comforting, and acted as a way to reminisce, especially in this first month of a new Academy. So, for those who enjoyed the status updates and countdown of remaining Cadets and will be sad to see those updates go, just thank "makakona" for her kind and encouraging words!

10-10


This whole thing is weak in so many ways I?ve lost count. There are close to 300 members of this board, most of us information hungry applicants that use any and all pieces information we can glean here to fight off that fear of the unknown. To effectively punish us all because you don't like what one member has to say seems awfully immature to me.

Thank you for the updates, I found them both interesting and informative, but know that I don't blame Makakona for the loss of them.

Now can we put this silliness behind us and get back to the business of sharing information and supporting each other through whatever process we may be in?

[makakona]

of course all correct points, ym... but i don't know ANY cadet that wants to call more attention to themselves. we already know that staff checks in around here... it's likely best to lay low in terms of posting specifics while in the academy. one can still participate in the forum without posting certain aspects which would cause more eyes to focus in on them or even cause their name to come up more frequently amongst the staff, you know? "hey, i saw smith (or smith's companion) talking about pt not being that tough..."

[Your Mentor]

Oh, Makakona, I totally understand, that's why I fault no cadet for trying to lay low. I remember one class where the staff officers were already talking to everyone about a person who was posting on the older forum; a week BEFORE pickup day. Most of us in the academic units just smiled, said, "Whatever," and went back to our cubicles and classrooms with far more important things to work on. They implied he was talking smack about his pending Academy date and such. I read some of his posts and saw nothing. In contrast, we had a cadet who WAS talking smack about our heavy hitters, the PT staff. That cadet cost his entire class a PT sandwich. Managing to lay low is entirely a dubious task however. I run across familiar faces I taught at in-service functions and I don't remember them at all. Then there are those I remember well; not because they were in trouble but because they participated in my classes memorably.

We were all told to fly so low that we were just eyeballs peering over the top of our boots. But wouldn't that alone get your attention?

[cal911gal]

I for one take the part about "gender assumptions" to heart - point taken - and I am not offended or mad that perhaps I made an "assumption" that was wrong.

Moving on.

Cadetspouse, your updates are interesting and enlightening. While I can see how Academy Staff might be irritated by this being posted, I don't think it's in the realm of restricted information. This is info they would tell anyone who happened to be touring the Academy on a given day.

That being said, I would like to remind all users that oftentimes, words we post in black and white (on a message board), are read just as they are presented - without emotion, feeling, or facial and body language to support them. Text only messages are easily misconstrued or misunderstood. It's easy to read in things at times that weren't meant.........so can we move past this and start over?

And would you not go 10-10 and still keep us updated? I think the majority here would really appreciate it.

Be safe out there, all of you.

[dw]

While this forum is here, in part, to promote recruitment and answer questions from prospective applicants, there is a limit. True, there may not be any legal/policy issue with Cadets and/or family posting, and I support their involvement. But I am also a firm believer that there are things at the Academy, parts of your experience, that should be a "surprise." 18,000 others have gone through the Academy without having a heads-up to all the inside information, and we're not going to give everything away here.

I have no problem disclosing information that would be learned at recruitment seminars, speaking to someone in the hiring process, or going on a ride along. But even with friends on the Department, you're still going to hear, "you'll find out when you get there." I will continue to monitor and edit posts if too many details are revealed.

[cacop]

Why are cadet"spouses"(whatever gender we are talking about here, I'm confused) posting anyway?

If you are that interested, sign up, do it yourself.

Either your going to hack it or your not. Finding out how many men compared to women quit every week is not going to help anyone.

Seriously, what is the point of of gender catagorizing cadet's anyway? When you get to the street (assuming you do) your partner is your partner and you wear the same uniform. If your partner is a female and you get your ass beat so be it o, if your partner is a male and you get your ass beat so be it, no matter how you gender catgorize it..you got your ass beat or worse......

You have to put faith in the CHP to hire the right PERSON and train the PERSON the right way so we all go home at night

[Mac]

Why are cadet"spouses"(whatever gender we are talking about here, I'm confused) posting anyway?
Because this is the "Applicant Family Forum" - which is the correct forum for those kinds of postings.

[cacop]

good point Mac..:shock:ops: I made one of the biggest mistake a LEO can make...I didn't know where I was.

I would just tread lightly if you are posting your husbands/wife/life partner/etc.. day by day info...god help that person if staff id's them.

[14596]

Where is that brief weekly update???

[SB 405]

Where is that brief weekly update???Maybe the word got out.

[bcjack]

I'm not an applicant, nor am I an applicant's family member...But I am going to chime in anyway...

Reading some of the previous posts, it appears that some people believe it is not important to be concerned about, or care about a family member's choice to completely change their life style and sign on to become a CHP Officer. Making that commitment to trying to become a CHP Officer; Quitting a job (Getting out of their "Comfort Zone" ) Going through all of the testing just to get the opportunity to move out of your home and away from your family; Get driven like a dog (No offense meant); Have information poured at you like Niagra Falls; RETAINING all of the information (SOME OF WHICH MAY KEEP YOU FROM BEING KILLED); Being TESTED at every turn; GRADUATING from the academy and then...Getting assigned somewhere FAR..FAR..AWAY from your family, making a choice between having your family move and join you in your "New Home" or waiting for the "Transfer List"; and on top of all that...getting treated like sh** by many of the people you are sworn to protect is not something I would expect anyone to take lightly.

Not worrying about a significant other while he or she is making this monumental commitment is just not reasonable.

I hope the readers take this in the spirit in which it was written, and SHARE as much information as allowable, and SUPPORT each other, whether we personally know one another or not, and not be so interested in being "One Up"...

GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF THE CADETS IN YOUR ENDEAVORS...
AND
THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE "SIGNIFICANT OTHERS" WHO SUPPORT YOUR CADETS IN THEIR ENDEAVOR TO MAKE THIS A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL OF US TO LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY. :biggrin:

[retchp]

Wow, very well put bcjack...I couldn't agree more. It really is a life changing decision for probably 90 to 95 percent of the applicants. My hat is off to both them and to their families.
By the way when does the current class graduate? A son of a former partner is in the class and I want to go to the graduation ceremony.
Also BTW...those of you going through the process... It is arduous, but the result is literally like grabbing the brass ring or winning life's lottery. Keep on keepin' on, as we used to say in the 60's!
Respect of the public. Increased self respect. Excitement. Fun. Great pay and benefits. Making a difference. Challenging work. New friends. Lifelong fiends.
It really is the best job in the world for someone who can cut through all the crap and make it past all the testing and probation BS.
The way to do that is to just keep on keepin' on! Jump your hoops until you are running free and clear. :cool:

[makakona]

Reading some of the previous posts, it appears that some people believe it is not important to be concerned about, or care about a family member's choice to completely change their life style and sign on to become a CHP Officer.

and on top of all that...getting treated like sh** by many of the people you are sworn to protect is not something I would expect anyone to take lightly.

i didn't see ANYone say there shouldn't be concern over making the choice to "completely change their lifestyle." nor do i think anyone was treated in the expletive manner you stated... and certainly not directed towards any officers or cadets.

i have VERY low tolerance for whiny spouses. sorry. it's my tragic flaw, i guess. in this case, under these circumstances, there's no need for it and i find it insulting. my husband is former military and i have seen first-hand far worse cases for a spouse to be in than having their loved one be warm, sheltered, fed, and yelled at. i have a tough time listening to some of the complaints i've heard from cadet spouses (i'm not referring specifically to this board). i can't wrap my mind around the negativity that some people continuously exude over a "stint" at the academy, as if they didn't know this was going to be something life-altering, that it wouldn't "take" them from their families for six months, that they would no longer be walking in the door every afternoon at 5:00 p.m. having "been there, done that," i don't get why a spouse feels that way and i can't imagine it makes life easy for a cadet. someone in my husband's class dropped out around week 20 and a lot of it was due to his family. no bueno. i wonder how he would have fared had his wife been the epitome of support and understanding, cheering her husband on instead of complaining about him being too far away.

and let's not give people more credit than they're due. we're all capable of making decisions for ourselves and if cadetspouse chooses not to share info, that's fine, but i'm certainly not to be blamed for it. she's a big kid, she can do as she pleases.

again, sorry, but this is one of those things that just totally grates on me. just as each of you have opinions, i have mine. (and sorry for the rambling... long weekend, just flew back into town from sacramento, of all places, ha!)

[cacop]

"no bueno"......classic Makkona I use it all the time......

Mac, don't worry I know where I'm at this time, 10-97 family forums.;)

The academy is 6 months of free room and board, shooting guns, driving fast, PT, and earning a damn good salary.

Just do what your told, play the game, pay attention to details, and you'll be fine.

bcjack,

I get treated like shit everyday by the people I serve, it's part of the job, I just handle it appropriately for each situation.

Retaining information, being tested everyday, getting driven like a dog, not seeing your family for extended periods of time....guess what that never ends, it only gets worse. Just wait until after the academy when your cadet is on the streets and put into REAL situations where they or someone else (fellow officer, criminal, citizen ) very possibly could ACTUALLY get KILLED by a REAL crankster or gang banger.

Being a cop doesn't change lives completely unless you let it, i.e. the three B's, or just letting the badge go to your head. Your spouse won't change, and the best thing a cop can do is leave work at work.

All the applicants and their spouses are big boys and girls and should be treated as such. If the academy is to hard for your cadet or your family, just quit and let others who can handle the pressures of this job get a seat in a class. Trust me the strain on the family only gets worse, and if you can't handle the stresses of the academy, how in the world will you and your family handle the stresses of this CAREER?

Submitted with all due respect sir's and ma'ams :biggrin:

[Your Mentor]

I couldn't agree more with Makakona. I was fortunate in that my wife had served in the USCG as well and didn't seem phased by anything. It all made sense. I dropped her off at the airport an hour before reporting into the Academy. She flew to Salt Lake City and stayed with her sister for four months. It's only six months of your life but your head has to be focused on it completely. My first roommate quit two days into it, my second roommate failed high speed (thank God!), my third roommate didn't make it off breakin. Whatever the case, relationships seemed to really be an issue among cadets when I was teaching. Several cadets in each class were going through divorces and others were dealing with strained marriages. To me it seemed so selfish of their significant others; thoughtless. Watching the little dramas that burn through each class like wildfires from the perspective of an instructor is eye-opening. My Academy experience was very positive and I enjoyed it. It wasn't this huge, horrible ordeal that others describe, yet I went through all the yelling, early mornings, blah, blah, blah. But the one thing I remember in relation to what I've seen as an instructor is that I was free to enjoy it. My wife was very independant but we were still a team. It was just something that had to be done. Unlike my classmates, I stayed at the Academy on the weekends. I studied at various coffee houses. We didn't have email or cell phones back then and I didn't keep in touch with my family much. I visited my wife twice. My situation was unique among my classmates but that was a different time. My closest classmate drove all the way to Temecula and back nearly every weekend. Whatever the case, and everyone is different, the Academy isn't going to bend to the desires of a spouse nor to a cadet. It is what it is. Spouses can either accept it and support their cadet or throw a temper tantrum and make it harder for him or her. I would suggest weaning your relationship from the constant contact our information age has given us. Gradually cut down on daytime phone calls, turn off your cell phone, turn off your pager, and quit emailing one another. Do this several months before reporting. Just spend time together when you're face to face. You'd be surprised how much this will help transition into the Academy environment. And spouses need to be sensitive to the pressure on their cadet. Also, understand that the Academy is NOT the job. It's school for the job. Most of the relationship problems I saw were in relationships where a couple's life before the Academy was relatively traditional in terms of being together every day. The strongest relationships were among those who recently separated from the military. It makes total sense. Military spouses, particularly those of Iraq/Afganistan veterans, must be relieved their cadet is not under fire, etc. And military spouses are used to temporary separation. I agree with bcjack in that it's unreasonable to expect any loving spouse not to be concerned for the well-being of their cadet. But it sometimes goes over the top and becomes a hinderance which is what I think Makakona is refering to.

[SuperTrooper]

Being a cop doesn't change lives completely unless you let it, i.e. the three B's, or just letting the badge go to your head.

What do the three B's stand for?

[pupdog]

From the applicant's standpoint, we are told over and over again that the #1 reason for cadet seperation from the academy is family.

Keeping this in mind, hasn't it occured to any of you that here in this forum, we could do the department a great favor by simply offering support and a pat on the back? Costs good money when a cadet is lost. It's not difficult to be nice.

[makakona]

From the applicant's standpoint, we are told over and over again that the #1 reason for cadet seperation from the academy is family.

Keeping this in mind, hasn't it occured to any of you that here in this forum, we could do the department a great favor by simply offering support and a pat on the back? Costs good money when a cadet is lost. It's not difficult to be nice.

from a spouse's standpoint, i was also told this time and time again. i have no idea how normal backgrounds work, as we were 3000 miles from california when my husband did his application process... but i was interviewed over the phone a few times. i was constantly reminded about the separation, told that it's the number one cause of cadet loss, and asked what concerns i had about it. i think i was probably cut some extra slack, as i was a military wife and my husband comes from a chp family, but even then, i felt i was reminded SO frequently of what we were getting into.

keeping that in mind, i would rather weed people out in the first week than in the fifth month. and if your concern is losing money, all the more reason to.

[Your Mentor]

You two couldn't be more dialed in. However, I completely disagree that family is the #1 cause of attrition. Far more cadets fail out on various things than quit. And most of those who quit do so very early on. We used to lose five or more at a time to driving, nearly double that in AI. But only a handful quit of their own accord. Regardless, it can either be a strain on a relationship or it can be a team effort.

[Chipper]

My class 3 years ago lost a total of 24 people. We lost 0 in AI, and 3 or 4 in EVOC. The rest quit. We had 10 people quit the first 2 days alone. We lost about 4 more after the first weekend who just didn't come back. Who truly knows why these people chose to quit. Personally, it took me 15 months to get hired, and to quit would have been senseless. Did I miss my family? Of course I did. Did it put a strain on my marriage? yes, but in the end it was worth it and then some, as I graduated, and I am still married, and I have one of the best jobs on earth. Would I do it again?? Yep

[makakona]

you're right, mentor... we were told the top cause of cadet-elected separation was due to family. i'd have to ask him for numbers, but i'm pretty sure my husband's class was higher on the drop-out than the fail-out.

we know one couple... they saw each other every weekend, even when the cadets were required to stay over on saturdays. she saw her husband almost every friday, saturday, and sunday, yet was so devastated by his absence that he didn't want her driving alone to visit him because she was so ridiculously upset when he had to go back that he feared for her safety. sheesh. and here i sat, excited that it was only three weeks instead of the previous five between visits! this same wife left their home to sleep on her parents' couch because she couldn't bear the thought of being home without him. she talked about how much she looked forward to graduation because they would finally see each other again... and all i could do was wonder how she would ever handle the insane hours of break-in or the schedule that the inevitable graves would set for them.

[Your Mentor]

Wow. We lost 9 to EVOC and my senior class lost 14 to AI alone.

[stump1860]

I hate to ask it...but what is AI?

[Cameron]

Accident Investigation.

It has an entirely different meaning out on the farm, though. :smile:

[pupdog]

Huh, wierd. I wonder why we are told it's family stuff while we're on the outside. But hearing otherwise from YM, well, it's coming straight from the source. Of course, every class is probably different. I believe I'm too stubbourn to quit, especially when I think of all the things in life I should have quit. High time I put my dedication in a worthwhile place (like CHP!).

[Your Mentor]

Things have changed over the years so the numbers may have changed significantly. Fewer people fail out on AI and especially on EVOC now. But I'm sure that the number one reason for a person quitting would be family. You occassionally get the excuse, "This just isn't for me." We all used to laugh about that one since the Academy isn't the actual job. But don't get me wrong, my observations aren't always accurrate. I worked on the Academic side of the house and had very little to do with the staff office. We did get a morning report however in our email inbox regarding people who checked out. And yes, most of those who quit do so very early on so the cost of training them has minimal impact. That's one reason why they're passing more in EVOC than in years past. Most folks failed out on that in week 14, after the department had spent a lot on them already.

[bcjack]

makakona:

My point was SUPPORT for those who's significant other is concerned about their cadet, not that it is right or wrong to hold that concern. Instead of putting someone down for their thought process, share your strong personal traits to help someone who may not be as strong. Also, I did not intend to infer that you were treating anyone like sh**. My comment was that when they become officers, part of their job ends up being treated like sh** by the very people they are sworn to protect.

cacop:

I didn't grow up in a vacuum. I am well aware that people treat officers like shit on a regular basis. That is part of why I chose the career I did. My point was the PROCESS is a major change in the life of, I would say, a majority of the cadets. they need support from their family and friends while they are away at the academy, and sometimes that includes people on this forum. rather than beat someone up for their beliefs, i think it would serve the cadets and their family memebrs better if we were supportive of them when they come here. Not to say we should sugar coat anything, but be supportive. Also, I do not have a cadet in the academy nor anyone involved in the academy except the fine people I share time with here, so I have no vested interest in anyone there.

BOTTOM LINE:
Some can do and some can't. We should provide some support to those that come to this part of the forum to make their trek as easy as possible.

[AceRock]

Bring back the Brief Weekly Updates please!:biggrin:

[Radar]

You two couldn't be more dialed in. However, I completely disagree that family is the #1 cause of attrition. Far more cadets fail out on various things than quit. And most of those who quit do so very early on. We used to lose five or more at a time to driving, nearly double that in AI. But only a handful quit of their own accord. Regardless, it can either be a strain on a relationship or it can be a team effort.

For what it's worth, I think all of you are right to some degree... What I mean is, it's a little bit of everything. From my perspective, when many of these people quit due to "family reasons," a deeper look shows it to be more than that. I would be willing to bet that the majority of those who quit due to family pressure or homesickness are not doing too well in the academics, tactics, PT, etc. So, which came first; the chicken or the egg?

Some will say family difficulty causes poor academic performance while others will say the stress of poor performance causes family difficulty. I think it's the latter. My personal feeling is that, when things get tough the cadet has one of two choices: Buckle down, focus, "Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome," or toss out the life preserver and jump ship. I think the "my family life is suffering" excuse is a cop out. It's much easier to walk into the staff office and say "I Quit!" and hang your hat on the family ( "it's them, not me" ) then to walk in and say "I was wrong, I just can't hack it." A supportive spouse who realizes how important this is to his/her significant other will not accept being made the scapegoat.
:mad: "Listen here, you ass! You've always wanted this and I'm here to support you. We've come too far and you sure as hell aren't backing out now. Now get back in there, focus on what you've got to do, and DON'T QUIT! I'll keep the homefire burning and take care of things here. Six months is a drop in the bucket compared to the rest of our lives." :mad:

If people aren't being briefed about the trials and tribulations of Academy Life, both here and at the homestead, then shame on us. If they are and they choose to ignore it, then shame on them. Does it happen? You bet. Look at how many people show up sloppy and out-of-shape despite repeated warnings about the rigors of PT. I think some people are "prove it" kind of people. But they'd better be ready to be wrong. And, if they are, they'd better be ready to dig in and make up some time... Otherwise, the "family" may just convince them to come home.:smile:

As far as the CTC I-06 BWU, I think it is a helpful idea to keep others apprised of how things are going. As long as it doesn't turn into a bitch session about how difficult and unfair Academy life is. Save that for PM's, family get-togethers, church, EAP counseling sessions, or other spouses. If you need that sort of outlet, PLEASE, by all means find it. It's healthy, it's important, and it'll help you get through it. HOWEVER, A public forum where other Academy staff and cadets can observe it is probably not a good idea. I promise, I'm not pointing fingers nor making accusations, I'm just making an observation...;)

[Your Mentor]

VERY well put Radar! Thanks.

[Welpe]

This thread has been great food for thought. As a young man with a girlfriend of over 6 years - 3.5 of which have been spent 4 hours apart from each other - I have thought long and hard about this type of situation. In the grand scheme of things, 6 months isn't that long.

As a personal note, we have talked about getting married once I graduate from school in June of 2007 and before I attend an academy (any academy, not just the CHP one). Has anybody gone through or had a spouse go through while they were still newly weds?

[makakona]

My personal feeling is that, when things get tough the cadet has one of two choices: Buckle down, focus, "Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome," or toss out the life preserver and jump ship. I think the "my family life is suffering" excuse is a cop out. It's much easier to walk into the staff office and say "I Quit!" and hang your hat on the family ( "it's them, not me" ) then to walk in and say "I was wrong, I just can't hack it." A supportive spouse who realizes how important this is to his/her significant other will not accept being made the scapegoat.

:mad: "Listen here, you ass! You've always wanted this and I'm here to support you. We've come too far and you sure as hell aren't backing out now. Now get back in there, focus on what you've got to do, and DON'T QUIT! I'll keep the homefire burning and take care of things here. Six months is a drop in the bucket compared to the rest of our lives." :mad:

we prefer the phrase "hunker down." :smile:

it was made VERY clear that if my husband chose to come home before his class graduated, he'd need to look for somewhere else to live, hahaha. i didn't leave the greatest home i'd ever known, move my family 3000 miles, and completely disrupt the only life my kids had ever known so he could throw in the towel when life got tough. he's not the quitting type and is SO well-suited for this job, but just in case the idea ever crept into his head, he had the added bonus of wondering how he could ever afford spousal support, child support for two kids, AND an apartment for himself... ;)

all in fun, of course, but he knew that failure was not an option so far as i was concerned.

[cacop]

Radar...good post.


Supertrooper....The 3 b's are BOOZE, BABES (either gender), and BILLS.

[23112]

This thread has been great food for thought. As a young man with a girlfriend of over 6 years - 3.5 of which have been spent 4 hours apart from each other - I have thought long and hard about this type of situation. In the grand scheme of things, 6 months isn't that long.

As a personal note, we have talked about getting married once I graduate from school in June of 2007 and before I attend an academy (any academy, not just the CHP one). Has anybody gone through or had a spouse go through while they were still newly weds?

Welpe, I asked this same question on the old site before I left for Academy and got a bunch of different replies. Many people told me I'd never make it because I'd be distracted, and a few others told me to get married. Well, my wife and I decided to get married a week before the Academy, and then we moved up to Sacramento while I attended Academy. And I graduated. I wouldn't have done it any other way if given the chance to do it again. Everyone is different, but it was an encouragement for me to go home to my wife on most weekends and some Wednesdays as a tacit reminder to "see the big picture." However, my wife is also a strong gal and understood that the 27 weeks of Academy was indeed a temporary stint with an ending in sight. She cheered me on every step of the way--and I'm so thankful because I know it was harder for her to be alone up in a new city than it was for me to be distracted for 18 hours a day at Camp Snoopy.

However, everyone is different. If your signigicant other has the mind-set that makakona or my wife seems to have, she'll be just fine. If she tends to be more dramatic or clingy, those 27 weeks will be tumultuous for her whether you're married or not.

[Welpe]

23112, thank you for your post. That's encouraging to read.

[Mac]

However, everyone is different. If your signigicant other has the mind-set that makakona or my wife seems to have, she'll be just fine. If she tends to be more dramatic or clingy, those 27 weeks will be tumultuous for her whether you're married or not.

I don't know if they still do it, but they used to have a spouses' seminar on graduation day (our graduation was at night). Several CHP spouses would meet with them and discuss the job, try to allay their concerns, etc. My fiancee at the time went to the seminar, and afterwards she pointed out one of my classmates and asked "Who's he?". I told her his name and said he was going to the same office as me for break-in. She said "Mark my words - he'll either quit or be divorced within six months". I asked why, and she said "His wife was in there with us, and she's absolutely freaked out about him being a CHP Officer. She said she's been worried the whole time he's been in the Academy, and has woken up crying almost every night worrying about him. She's even more scared now that he's going out on the road".

That officer resigned during the first week of break-in.

[Cameron]

Wow. Makes me kinda glad that I'm going into this process as a single guy!

[TheForceCHP]

i had the same thought after i read that

[Mac]

Being single certainly doesn't hurt - but as others have said above, if you're married it's HIGHLY important that you've talked this career decision out with your spouse and he/she is 100% on board with it. And it isn't just the Academy....once you've gotten over that hurdle, the job itself involves probably being initially assigned somewhere you don't want to go for a year or more, working weekends, holidays, nights and overtime; court on your days off, court after graveyard shift, court before afternoon shift, etc. It's a great job - I wouldn't trade it for anything - but it can be really hard on a relationship if you have a clingy/needy, high-maintenance and/or emotionally fragile spouse. Not only do YOU need to know what you're getting into, your spouse needs to know and understand that also.

As an interesting aside to my above post, that Officer who resigned during the first week of break-in was voted "Most Inspirational Cadet" in our Academy class. :shock:ops:

[Chippy'swife]

Many of us CHP wives are tough, independent, strong women. That being said, there can still be an adjustment period. Law enforcement kind of has a culture all its own and it does take some adjusting to. For example, I have attended many family get-togethers, birthday parties, social events as well as many of our children's school performances and such ALONE. I am totally ok with this (most of the time), but for some it can be very overwhelming. Especially if you're coming on the job with small children. With shift work, weird schedules and overtime, sometimes you have to completely rearrange your life to spend time with your husband/family. It takes supportive friends and family to understand how our culture works. If you both don't put forth great effort, a marriage can fail quickly in this profession. Nowadays, that's pretty much the story everywhere, but LE always gets more recognition for such a high divorce rate. I guess the point of my post is that regardless of the toughness of your wife/girlfriend, don't forget that she will be going through some adjusting and making some sacrifices to be supportive of your choice. So, just remind her how much you appreciate her willingness to do that for you. It'll help her be even more supportive and understanding during that adjustment time. I know that worked for me.

[Your Mentor]

What a well put post Chippy'swife. I have to admit, that we in uniform are as much to blame for our divorce rate as the job itself is. Speaking from personal experience, I've managed to become the stereotypical cop when it comes to marriage and divorce. Only once was my job a source of tension. I know far more people on the CHP in particular who are happily married and have been so for a long time. I have envied them from time to time. But, as Mac said, being single is nice too.

[CHP1]

Mentor,
What if I already have a divorce under my belt. Does that go into the LE statistics once I become an officer? I am just as stereotypical as you when it comes to marrige and divorce and i agree with being single is nice.

[Your Mentor]

I doubt the divorce rate is actually tabulated for our profession; at least to any accurate degree. I mean I've never filled out a survey or anything since I 've been on. It's a stereotype but we see it happen within our squads year after year. It's a tough subculture both within and on the outside. Divorce can be the unfortunate fallout and seems to plague our profession, nonetheless.

[Erin]

Week 7 is almost over and I would just like to encourage all of the families & friends out there that are supporting cadets to stay strong & positive. I didn't realize how important it is for them. Because of distance, I haven't seen my cadet in 5 weeks and he will be coming home this weekend for the first time. However, September will be here before we know it! :biggrin:

[guest997]

I seriouslly can't understand why people are complaing and wanting info on what the Academy training consist of. PEOPLE if you plan on becoming part of a great orginazation,such as the CHP, then you better plan,prepare,and adjust to whatever the Academy plans on dishing out, hence the word " PARAMILITARY TRAINING".
Seriouslly again, How do you expect to become a successfull officer if you can not plan for the unexpected. The CHP gives people a chance to be a part of a great orginazation, however, you must commit and must be determined to work for the State of California, the Orginazation(CHP), and your fellow team of Officers.
AND THATS THAT!!!!......so please stop complaining, be determined if you fill out that application, and strive to be a great Officer, not a have assed(excuse the languge) officer.....GOOOOOD LUCK!!!!.... I do hope to succeed and work for the State of California, the Orginazation(CHP), and my future fellow team of Officers.

[snowdog]

I seriouslly can't understand why people are complaing and wanting info on what the Academy training consist of. PEOPLE if you plan on becoming part of a great orginazation,such as the CHP, then you better plan,prepare,and adjust to whatever the Academy plans on dishing out, hence the word " PARAMILITARY TRAINING".
Seriouslly again, How do you expect to become a successfull officer if you can not plan for the unexpected. The CHP gives people a chance to be a part of a great orginazation, however, you must commit and must be determined to work for the State of California, the Orginazation(CHP), and your fellow team of Officers.
AND THATS THAT!!!!......so please stop complaining, be determined if you fill out that application, and strive to be a great Officer, not a have assed(excuse the languge) officer.....GOOOOOD LUCK!!!!.... I do hope to succeed and work for the State of California, the Orginazation(CHP), and my future fellow team of Officers.


dw or ym, I think it's time to do your magic.

[makakona]

seriouslly, how do you expect to be a part of ANY successfull orginazation when you half no spelling skills?

dw, do you guys ban by ip or just username?

[Dodger Fan]

hookt on fonics werked for me:shock:

[Dodger Fan]

Grammar ain't just your Daddy's Momma:lol:

[dw]

seriouslly, how do you expect to be a part of ANY successfull orginazation when you half no spelling skills?

dw, do you guys ban by ip or just username?

Username... IP's don't work too well with so many dynamically-assigned. We'd be locking people out left and right.