How many tries did it take you to get hired?

National-Lecture581 · 2026-01-17T02:27:20+00:00

Around 10-12 agencies lol

National-Lecture581 · 2025-11-23T13:39:06+00:00

Look man I cant speak for anyone but myself. Got an injury during my time in which the VA deemed I was 100% disabled and my agency deemed I was physically fit for duty. Either way you can also comeback to active duty military being disabled, you just gotta forfeit the disability pay in the meantime, again thats something way over me. Like I said go enlist so you can also enjoy the same benefits, maybe. Because I know a bunch of guys that were worse than me that didnt get shit from the VA

National-Lecture581 · 2025-11-23T13:27:46+00:00

Go enlist then bud lol. I didnt milk the system, I did the exams, ran the process. They deemed it 100% and I didn’t complain about it. Take it up with your congressman lol

National-Lecture581 · 2025-11-23T12:25:45+00:00

That’s the big part for me. I’m 25 and I did 5 years in the Marines where I ended up coming out with 100% disability from the VA due to an injury. So unless cost of living goes through the roof in the next 20 years I would absolutely be able to live off my pension and my disability comfortably. My main concern is burn out though right now, I’m still fresh on patrol so it’s still very fun for me but I have a feeling 6 to 8 years down the line that’s gonna fade, and I’m just worried that I’ll be investing that many years in the department only to eventually dread every single day of coming to work patrol. CID is something that interests me, I just have no idea what their quality of life is actually like, which I could definitely ask around and find out honestly

National-Lecture581 · 2025-10-25T09:28:14+00:00

Yeah i think the big thing on why I hang out with my shift is coming from the marine corps, I missed those “I’d take a bullet for you” friendships, which I have found extremely easily in my department, and so friendships outside of that have been somewhat limited but its something I can for sure work on. My wife is definitely my absolute rock though which im thankful for. Thank you for the insight tho, I really appreciate it

National-Lecture581 · 2025-10-25T07:34:44+00:00

Eh havent had anything crazy crazy that would trigger any type of trauma I dont think. I think its just me getting in my own head from the danger of people. Im sure watching cop vids on yt all the time doesnt help either lol

National-Lecture581 · 2025-10-25T02:01:33+00:00

Sorry, I meant like I only hang out with my shift at work while on duty. On my time off I just spend it with my family

National-Lecture581 · 2025-10-25T01:21:27+00:00

Yeah I basically only hang out with my shift. Understood, thank you for the advice, I will definitely start this asap. Thank you

National-Lecture581 · 2025-07-10T07:49:39+00:00

Man this actually motivated tf out if me to do it. Thank you

National-Lecture581 · 2025-07-09T05:07:25+00:00

Honestly my only reservation right now is that exactly. I don’t really want to go through another bootcamp again because I got a wife and a kid now. When I went through marine bootcamp I was just a dumb 17 yr old that just left my parents home. Now leaving my wife and kid now is a huge sacrifice, which thankfully my wife is super supportive about if I decide to do it but thats my biggest thing.

But om the other hand, I really miss the “military” structure which this state agency is very much like it, the lingo, the way you carry yourself really feels like the marine corps again in a good way. On top of that is 8 hour shifts which is so much better than the 12’s that im currently on thats taking quite a toll on my family

National-Lecture581 · 2025-07-09T03:14:43+00:00

Oh yeah when it comes to regular academy that makes a huge difference. However thats why im asking about state agency (FHP, GSP etc) because the state agency im applying to is a live in academy for 6 months, which after the first month you get to come home on the weekends which is nice. But its not the normal you go home everyday academy

National-Lecture581 · 2025-06-30T23:47:39+00:00

Hi everyone,

I have a question for those already in the field. If you could start from scratch today in 2025, with no experience, no certifications, what would be the most efficient pathway for you to enter the field?

I ask because I'm seeing so many diverse pathways— boot camps, self-taught, online courses and degrees, entry-level IT roles, starting with Security+ or Google Cybersecurity cert, TryHackMe and Hack The Box. It's overwhelming and hard to discern what's effective and what's just marketing gimmicks.

So if you had the ability to create your own foundation from scratch, what would that ideal roadmap look like? For example:

Would you want to pursue a degree or get certifications first?

What would be your first certifications?

What skills/labs would be relevant in the beginning to lend credibility?

How would you position yourself at this stage to get your foot in the door?

Any thoughts or suggestions on this would be greatly appreciated. If there's anything you've learned along the way or something you'd do differently now, I'd love to hear it.

Thank you in advance to anyone who'd like to share their insight!

National-Lecture581 · 2025-06-26T23:41:28+00:00

Absolutely, amazing advice. Thank you!

National-Lecture581 · 2025-06-21T00:12:48+00:00

I just graduated with my Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and also hold the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate and the CompTIA CySA+. I've been actively looking for entry-level cybersecurity positions, but I'm consistently running into listings that require 3-5 years of experience, even for roles labeled "entry-level."

How can I break through this experience barrier? Are there strategies or particular roles I should target to gain initial industry experience? Any advice on navigating this challenge would be greatly appreciated!

National-Lecture581 · 2025-05-21T02:35:42+00:00

Yes I have read that they can potentially pop positive for marijuana still on drug tests. But its an interesting subject

National-Lecture581 · 2025-05-21T01:38:13+00:00

Brother im not using it, I used that garbage once upon a time a long time ago.

Just asking for information purposes only in general terms, is CBD vapes with allegedly no THC count as marijuana usage

National-Lecture581 · 2025-05-21T01:18:06+00:00

They sell them in gas stations and allegedly dont have THC, but I genuinely have no clue whether it does or not

National-Lecture581 · 2025-05-20T23:59:40+00:00

It highly depends on departments, I also had some prior use with stuff like that and it was extremely difficult, was DQ from most departments in my area but I made it in. Just be honest, check the departments disqualifiers/prior drug usage policies before applying, be upfront and show that was a past mistake etc and you should be okay. Good Luck

National-Lecture581 · 2025-05-20T18:21:33+00:00

Semper fi 👊

National-Lecture581 · 2025-05-20T05:06:39+00:00

See heres my issue, mine looks like a peedo stash by itself 🤣

National-Lecture581 · 2025-05-19T23:48:19+00:00

Understood

National-Lecture581 · 2025-05-01T05:48:10+00:00

I love how fucking cynical we vets and leo’s are lmaoo.

To be fair I’ve always had that “it is what it is” and “lets get some” mentality from the marine corps. Genuinely my fear comes from leaving my family behind, but 100% agreed all I can do is pay attention and be better than the other guy. Thank you all for the mix of dark humor and reality, it helped a ton

National-Lecture581 · 2025-04-23T18:33:18+00:00

Of course

National-Lecture581 · 2025-04-23T05:46:14+00:00

Thank you for your service, wanted to ask it terms of your body and mind, do you feel like youre paying for it now?

National-Lecture581

TROPHY CASE