Why do cadets quit?

[sanchilorio]

What are the most common reasons cadets quit the academy?

[DESERT RAT]

Most of the cadets that quit my CTC, had a common "MO". 1. They were not prepared, mentally/Physically , so they quit. 2. They never cut the imbilical Chord with their former job. Therefore, when the going got tough, they still had ties to their old job, so they quit and went back to work for them. Im not saying burn all your bridges before you enter the academy, Im just saying when you leave yourself a way out, it might look pretty good when your world is crashing in at the academy. Oh yeah and there are always those with family problems, or at least that is what they say before they QUIT! It was pretty disappointing when someone would quit, most of the people in my CTC waited at least 2yrs to get on, some of us were in the process for almost 3yrs. I couldn't fathom wasting 3yrs of my life to get on with the CHP and then quit! JMO

[junebughunter]

A good friend of mine who works as a mechanic told me an interesting story recently. I don't know the guy who told this story to my friend so this may not be entirely credible but he said he went through the whole hiring process and it took him 2 years. The day he was to arrive at the academy he drove up, sat in the parking lot and "changed his mind" and decided against joining and went home. Apparently when he got home he also realized that there was a time change that night so he would have been an hour late to begin with. so apparently he took that as a sign not to go back

I don't know if the academy starts on a Sunday or ever has but I would imagine it doesn't so that story may be entirely false considering daylight savings occur's at 2am on a Sunday morning, but it's interesting none the less. I'd also imagine if I was leaving for 6 months that plenty of friends and family would make sure I didn't forget the time change.

Anyway, all I know is I am fully expecting the academy to test all of my mental and physical abilities and I am prepared for it (well I'm preparing anyway) there is nothing they could do short of making it impossible to stop me from getting through. I suppose if a lot of people quit it shows that the whole process works...the idea is to not allow those who aren't cut out for the job to succeed.

[Your Mentor]

No. The Academy ALWAYS starts on a Monday.

[CACHP]

I resigned 6 weeks after starting the academy and 11 months of trying to get in. The reason... family, it was hard for my wife to be alone. I felt ashamed when I reported to the staff office to announce my resignation, because I knew that I let down my fellow cadets, my BI, and everyone else who was involved in the process. I'll be honest... I even cried. I am proud of everyone who was able to complete the training and now is a CHP officer!

[Capsicum]

I resigned 6 weeks after starting the academy and 11 months of trying to get in. The reason... family, it was hard for my wife to be alone. I felt ashamed when I reported to the staff office to announce my resignation, because I knew that I let down my fellow cadets, my BI, and everyone else who was involved in the process. I'll be honest... I even cried. I am proud of everyone who was able to complete the training and now is a CHP officer!

That is a nice thing about this forum, the information available prior to starting the academy. Spouses need to be better informed about what is required of this profession. 6 months is a drop in the bucket to sacrifice for the rewards that you will reap for the rest of your career. This isn't a 9-5, M-F, holidays off job.

I was married and had kids when I went through the academy. My wife and I had many a discussion about my absence prior to my reporting. I also spoke with all of my immediate family to keep all my bases covered. I knew how hard it was going to be for her and the kids when I left, and I wanted all the support that we could get. With out a support structure in place, a cadet is doomed.

[Processing]

hmmm... here's an interesting idea to try out with the spouse...

"honey, i'm going to the chp academy for the next 6 months. if you want to see me, and make it easy on yourself, i'd advise submitting an application as well!!!

...just be ready to sleep on the couch after you say that.

[UNICRON82]

hmmm... here's an interesting idea to try out with the spouse...

"honey, i'm going to the chp academy for the next 6 months. if you want to see me, and make it easy on yourself, i'd advise submitting an application as well!!!

...just be ready to sleep on the couch after you say that.

Thats a good one PROCESSING!... Hope you didn't find that one out first hand!

And about leaving the family to go to the academy, CAPSICUM is right, it will be hard. You NEED your spouse and family members support for you to succeed efficiently, and luckily I do have that. As my time together now with my family, it is already scarce since I work swing shift. I come home from work, she is sleeping. She wakes up and goes to work, I am sleeping. The only time we really have together is on the weekends, so the academy would not be very different for my situation. All it takes is a little sacrifice (and hard work) for a big reward.

[antman]

If you have no experience being away from you loved ones. Its going to be really tough!! I was in the military and I wanted to quit myself during basic training. I would say the first 2 weeks is really going to be tough because your adjusting and learning a whole new environment from what your use to. When I first called my parents from bootcamp I broke down in tears because I missed them so much and it was really tough on me but, I stayed strong and stayed the course. My advice to those worried about this would be to stay FOCUS!! . YOU HAVE TO STAY FOCUS. You have a goal to complete and nothing should stop you from reaching that goal.

[RoadDawg]

Most people quit because they realize the job is not what they thought it would be, or they don?t want it bad enough. This is a good thing? and the Academy is designed to run people off, and cut out the non-hackers. You don?t want a beat partner who will quit on you or themselves in a fight for someone?s life. The bottom line is this job is not for everyone? It truly takes a stable, yet hard nosed person to do law enforcement.

Quitting due to your family is just another example of not preparing yourself for the Academy. It is six months, with weekends off which isn?t fun, but its doable. If you truly want to do this job, your spouse should be able to support you for the six months youre in training. Its not easy, nor should it be? this is one reason we all take pride in wearing the tan uniform. If anyone who even thought they wanted to be an officer made it, what would be the accomplishment? Every class has quitters, and those who are fired for being unethical, lazy, or just plain stupid. Ive said it a hundred times, if youre qualified and truly want this job nothing can hold you back. As most will tell you, the six months you spend at ?Camp Snoopy? is well worth it, and just a blip on the radar screen when it comes to your overall career.

[Kevin]

I don't like quitters. You should have known what you were getting into... quitting is the easy way out, I sure wouldn't want someone like that as a partner.

[tphil9]

If I make it through this process and get accepted for the May academy. I will not quit, they will have to drag me out kicking and screaming. I know it's going to be tough and I know no matter how much I have prepared its not even close to what I will go through when I report to the academy. My family has been there for me this entire time and I couldnt bear facing them and telling them I gave up. If I dont cut it, I'll know why, but I will not quit. Just my two cents, I hope my CTC can pull together and help eachother out when times get tough, I have seen such brotherhood in the CHP and I hope we can start it from day one at the academy.