Guard OCS/Law Enforcement career

[LeCarre]

Hey All:

I'm applying to the Chicago Police Department and the Illinois National Guard at about the same time. The timing should allow me to attend Army BCT immediately after taking the CPD test, and then I hope to attend the Accelerated OCS Program this Summer in-between all the other application steps with the CPD.

My question is this: How flexible are most police departments with Guard drills and trainings? For example, I'll need to attend a 17 week IOBC within a year of being commissioned. This may conflict with the PD, although I think that I'll be through the academy by the time that I go away for IOBC. Further, my untimate goal is to get into the 20th SFG that's part of the Illinois National Guard once I'm O2 Promotable. If this takes place, it could mean well over a year of training. Is it possible to take a leave of absence for such a period?

I can't think of a job that would be more lenient towards Guard time than a police department, but I'm not sure just how lenient they'd be. Any insight would be helpful.

Thanks.

[UN_Cop]

By law, an employer has to give you time off to serve with the military. Some departments encourage military and some do not like it. It will be up to the individual department.

If your going to try out for the 20 SF, you have a long road, not including the OCS and OBC training. Remember, you have SFAS and the "Q" Course. Alot of time will have to be dedicated to not only the military training but to your own PT stuff.

Good luck and take care.

[Forensic Auditor]

What do you have to do to be commissioned through the accelerated program in Illinois? In most states I have seen, the OCS is about 18 months (one weekend a month and 2 weeks in the summer) is Illinois different? Heck I'd fly up for an accelerated program..lol
Thanks

[LeCarre]

Apparently, the program starts like the rest of them--one weekend a month-- for a couple of months. Then, Illinois is given a certain number of slots for an accelerated program whereby the candidate goes to a couple of different bases, each for around a month, of active duty training. It's not the whole Fort Benning Federal program, but seems to be a combination of State and Federal. I'll make a call tommorow and post more information.

[LeCarre]

Auditor:

I got the scoop just minutes ago.

The IL NG OCS program begins in April. One goes to the April and May OCS drills and then in June, attends regular 2 week drill, in my case, at Fort McClellan, AL. Then it's off to another base for four weeks--not sure where this year, but she said somewhere in Pennsylvania. Then it's back to Fort McClellan, AL for another two weeks. Commissioning is in mid-August. There are a few priorities that increase your chances of getting in, among them your age--32 or older (my case), your unit's priority (infantry, intel, etc.), and a couple of others. Other than that, there's no real way of competing other than to do your best to impress everyone, kick butt in PT, etc., and that doesn't come into play until April anyhow. She said to just be sure that your recruiter gets your packet to the right people and it's not lost at Recruiting Command.

Best of luck.

[MacLeod]

Don't be fooled that Reserve SF Units are like other reserve units. Expect to do considerably more time in your BDUs and more than 15 days of AT. Expect to be the first Mobilized during national crisis such as now. This may be more than CPD is willing to endure. You may find that extended time away from the job will cost you promotions, and other professional opportunities. You could easily find yourself on AD for 12-24 months, especially now, and although your employer has to keep you on the books, that doesn't mean you won't have a hard time keeping your certification. In my agency if you miss your 20 hours of inservice, expect the state to suspend your cert.

[CA_ARNG_LT]

I assure you that the process you desire for NG and SFG will take sthe majority of your time and energy. The PD will probably be to difficult though I would probably try both because either one of the programs might reject, even if you are a PT stud. Just dont step on any toes and make sure you pick one that you cant live without in case you have to decide between the two. You can do many other thing with the guard if you need employment while your trying to get into SFG. AGR, ADSW (AD Special Work), and even working where needed.

If you are willing to do other LE, I know federal LE is much more NG friendly. Good luck with OCS and SFG they need your complete dedication, more than anyone could probably describe to you, they are the best of the best as I am sure you know.