What now?

[edge]

I sit here humbled by recent events that have occurred in my life...
I started pursuing a career in LE over 2 years ago now...and I came so close.
I gave up a prestigious/successful career in IT because this is what I really want to do with my life. I have been with a particular agency for over a year now trying to get through life as a recruit...longer than most as I had an injury early on while at FLETC...
And while waiting for classes to begin, dedicated myself as much as possible to the agency's mission...pitched in during various incidents...
Basically put my heart out there for them to see what my heart was made of...and now, I am left asking what now?

During the last week of training, I had to pass a physical agility test...admittedly, physical things come much harder for me than they do anyone else. But anytime we had physical training, I never complained and I never quit. Anytime a classmate would look back, I was running...slow, but running. Unfortunately, I did not pass the test though, and my class graduated without me. I had been showing progress each and every time I ran it, but it just wasn't enough when the test came. Now I am sitting here trying to figure things out, waiting to see what will happen with the agency, and trying to figure out what's next.

Now please, dont think that I am downplaying the physical side of LE...I am still working to get myself in better shape...but I refuse to think it's all over for me.

For now, I go in each day and do whatever they ask me to do without complaining while waiting to hear from them what is next, if I am terminated, etc.

Any sincere advice would be appreciated...

[PEACE]

Edge -

It sounds like this may be in the hands of the administrators of your agency at this point. Not knowing the agency, and never having attended FLETC, I can only give you the broadest words of encouragement and let you know that from where I sit, a person who never gives up is often better than a person who is never fully challenged.

If you can document progressive gains, combined with testimony of your PT instructors as to your positive attitude and effort - perhaps your agency can be convinced to give you some extra shot. (If I were you, I'd be prepared to do some serious negotiation - i.e. stay an extra week, or two, without pay, to complete and pass the PT portion.) I doubt it will come to this, the G is not in the biz of making exceptions out the wazoo, but if you offered they might allow it - they don't want you to wash out (all the money they have invested in you would be lost). Don't let this be your first line of defense - use your improving scores and patient performace efforts be that - but if you don't want to lose your dream that you worked so hard for, be creative and do whatever it takes to succeed.

Good luck!

[wicked50]

Edge: Like peace I have never been through a federal "academy." If I were in your shoes I would still be continuing my physical fitness routine so when I went in fron of the decision makers they could see that although I was out of any formal training I have continued to try and improve my physical fitness. I was in the reverse popsition you are in now when I was trying to get hired in local law enforcement. I was straight from the academy and before that I played college football so physical fitness has never been a challenge. I would see recruits that were in the same academy class as me being hired who were in the worse physical condition I had ever seen. I just couldn't figure it out. Your agency hired you for a reason. If your heart is in it like you have said then you'll start running and get in the shape you need to and pass the PFT. Good luck.

[release]

Edge-I feel for you, but don't give up. I'm not sure which FLETC class you are going through, but I've been through CITP and the agency add-on. If you are going through the CITP, it was a "participation" only at the time I went. The instructors wouldn't tell us that, but we heard it from reliable sources. And to confirm it, I KNOW that there were people in class who did not meet the standards and they graduated with us in the end. In any case, if the particular agency you have been hired with doesn't pass you, don't give up on your dream. You made it this far, there will be other opportunities. I've had many friends who didn't make it through one phase or another in the hiring process in multiple agencies. They didn't give up on their dreams and the one's that perservered, have become some of the best officers/agents I know. I would rather have a partner who have "struggled" in life than one who doesn't know what a struggle feels like. If you are smart, which I would imagine you are, you will learn from this. The dumb ones will let history repeat itself. If there is a "next time", the BI will ask what happened, tell the truth, but also be ready to say that you have taken corrective measures to ensure it will not happen again. You will be fine, beat yourself up for a little bit if you must, then get out there and make it right! Good luck in your endeavors.