For anybody in the military????

Mkim340518 · Post by **Mkim340518** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 12:57 pm

kman wrote:Well darn, Mkim340518. It sounds like my plan does have a flaw after all. Sorry to hear you didn't get in but I have to give you credit for going the extra mile to get yourself prepared. For lack of a old shoulder injury, it sounds like you would have made a fine addition to our Armed Forces.

LOL no problem...this is actually the first time I ever really told my whole story and I had to do it on the freakin INTERNET...shows you how smart I am..LMAO. And thank you for your compliment and who knows maybe they might relax the rules a little and let my gimpy ass join up one-day. Just for fun I go back once a year to my friend David and try to re-enlist in the Navy...it makes me laugh anyway

Post by **kman** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 4:49 pm

Have you tried the Army yet? I'm not trying to rag on them but I read recently where they've upped the enlistment age to 42:

http://www4.army.mil/OCPA/read.php?story_id_key=9197

Maybe they'll be more lenient towards old shoulder injuries.

Post by **MCIera** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 5:03 pm

Mkim340518 - Have you considered looking for a position as a civilian employee on a military base? Military personnel have been known to do a favor or two for civilian employees on their bases. Though quite honestly, it seems like an awfully desparate means just to get MRE's with so much of it being available on the retail and gray markets.

Mkim340518 · Post by **Mkim340518** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 10:32 am

MCIera wrote:Mkim340518 - Have you considered looking for a position as a civilian employee on a military base? Military personnel have been known to do a favor or two for civilian employees on their bases. Though quite honestly, it seems like an awfully desparate means just to get MRE's with so much of it being available on the retail and gray markets.

Yeah I definitely would not work on a military base just for MRE's LOL. And what kinds of favors are these civilians giving these soldiers

LMAO...just kidding...

And yes there are a ton of MRE's out there but, I don't want to pay 100bucks for a case of 2007 MRE's so, I thought maybe i could find a source of fresh MRE's I.E. being the military!!!

Thanks
Mike

Baldy · Post by **Baldy** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 9:05 pm

Mkim340518, I'm sorry to hear about your injury - it must have been extremely frustrating for you. Good on you for attempting to enlist.

As others have mentioned, I'm sure there are other ways to serve: as a civilian DoD employee, in the national security/intelligence community, or in law enforcement.

It's gratifying to see so many people on here who have served.

Post by **MCIera** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 9:54 pm

Back in my day, the standards weren't nearly as stringent. In fact, the governement often sent out personal invitations to young males to join the military, it was a letter that started with "Greetings" and regrets were not accepted. In fact, I think the only physical requirement was that one be breathing (or at least preferable.)

Baldy wrote:It's gratifying to see so many people on here who have served.

Mkim340518 · Post by **Mkim340518** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 2:31 pm

Baldy wrote:Mkim340518, I'm sorry to hear about your injury - it must have been extremely frustrating for you. Good on you for attempting to enlist.

As others have mentioned, I'm sure there are other ways to serve: as a civilian DoD employee, in the national security/intelligence community, or in law enforcement.

It's gratifying to see so many people on here who have served.

Hey Baldy,

I appreciate your compliments and I have definitely thought long and hard about becoming a Philadelphia Police officer. I always get a letter or a visit from an officer from the Philadelphia Police department asking me to sign up for police academy but, I always say to them that the only way that I will join up is if they can fast-track me to SWAT...I don't want to wait five years and be a regular cop on the streets to be "considered" for a SWAT position. And of course their answer is that they are not allowed to do that for anybody. I guess I have to figure a way around that rule somehow because I would love to serve on Philly's SWAT team!!!!

Post by **kman** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 5:53 pm

I'm guessing they're looking for someone with regular police experience who can transition into SWAT. Kind of start off with a basic level of law enforcement knowledge and built up your SWAT skills from there. They might not be able to guarantee you a spot on SWAT when you first sign up, but if you show half the drive and determination it sounds like you've shown so far with trying to get into the military, I'd think you'd have a great shot at getting on the team.

Baldy · Post by **Baldy** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 1:06 pm

kman wrote:I'm guessing they're looking for someone with regular police experience who can transition into SWAT. Kind of start off with a basic level of law enforcement knowledge and built up your SWAT skills from there. They might not be able to guarantee you a spot on SWAT when you first sign up

Absolutely. I don't know how it goes in PA, but in my state you have to join as a 'regular' police constable and complete a set period of service before you can try out for our equivalent of SWAT. There are physical fitness tests that must be passed, and these generally include heaves/pull-ups and a fireman's carry or a buddy drag.

Fitness requirements for SWAT duties are very similar to those of the military, with even more of an emphasis on upper body power for things like climbing and breaching. Will your injury prevent you from doing these things? The only way to know for sure is to get it checked out by an MD, preferably one with knowledge of police requirements.

I assume PPD SWAT is a full-time unit; entry is likely to be highly competitive. Maybe you could try a jurisdiction elsewhere in PA that has a part-time SWAT team - it may be an easier road to travel, and perhaps they can be more flexible with enlistment than the PPD.

I am not trying to bring you down - in fact, I want to help you if I can. It's just that if you are not fully fit you could do further, serious damage to your body.

Disclaimer: I am not, have never been, and am not pretending to be, a SWAT operator or equivalent.

Mkim340518 · Post by **Mkim340518** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 4:31 pm

Baldy wrote:
kman wrote:I'm guessing they're looking for someone with regular police experience who can transition into SWAT. Kind of start off with a basic level of law enforcement knowledge and built up your SWAT skills from there. They might not be able to guarantee you a spot on SWAT when you first sign up
Absolutely. I don't know how it goes in PA, but in my state you have to join as a 'regular' police constable and complete a set period of service before you can try out for our equivalent of SWAT. There are physical fitness tests that must be passed, and these generally include heaves/pull-ups and a fireman's carry or a buddy drag.

Fitness requirements for SWAT duties are very similar to those of the military, with even more of an emphasis on upper body power for things like climbing and breaching. Will your injury prevent you from doing these things? The only way to know for sure is to get it checked out by an MD, preferably one with knowledge of police requirements.

I assume PPD SWAT is a full-time unit; entry is likely to be highly competitive. Maybe you could try a jurisdiction elsewhere in PA that has a part-time SWAT team - it may be an easier road to travel, and perhaps they can be more flexible with enlistment than the PPD.

I am not trying to bring you down - in fact, I want to help you if I can. It's just that if you are not fully fit you could do further, serious damage to your body.

Disclaimer: I am not, have never been, and am not pretending to be, a SWAT operator or equivalent.

Hey Baldy!!

I really appreciate your concerns and your help!!! And yes Philadelphia SWAT has a requirement of 5 years regular police officer duty then you can sign up for SWAT. I'm sure that I can get past the physical and mental stability requirements without a problem. After my disappointment with the military I vowed to never have my injuries be a factor in any part of my life so, I have trained and conditioned myself to pass the BUDs program. I also keep my shooting and CQ training up by playing pro-level paintball for the last 7 years of my life(this is the first year that I actually did not enter National tournaments due to my future wifes medical condition). And to all those who look down on paintball- I know that paintball tactics and military tactics are different but, a lot are similar. I play paintball to keep my target acquisition skills, ambidextrous shooting, crouched and prone shooting, moving and firing, shooting lane, teamwork, aggression control, reaction time and many other skills up to date and sharp. I find that paintball is a lot like breaching and entering without the grenades and explosives...just pure gun fighting.

So hopefully I will be able to pass all the tests that would be presented to me if I we're to be considered for SWAT...hopefully LOL