Expert: Chris Wagoner - 2/8/2011

Question
QUESTION: HI my name is Josh Snyder and I am 19 years old. When i was about 13 years old i started to dream about being in the Army. I still dream all the time. I broke my hip about 4 years ago. I found out i can join the Army because of this. I am going to be getting another operation in a year or so then it should be good. I still love to hunt, hike, tactical shoot and do what most 19 year old do. One of my problems is i cant run to fast "now". I am thinking about SWAT quite a bit now. I dont really no if im wanting to be on the ENTRY TEAM or a SNIPER. I was told there is no injury Background check. The type of job i am looking for is one that would be able to replace the loss of the Army. Is there a injury background check?. And what job would you recommend?
Thanks for your time.
Josh Snyder.

ANSWER: Good morning Josh,

You are correct there is no background check on injuries, but they do require you to take a physical through a physician who will ask you about past surgeries or injuries. But based on what you write it appears that you are capable of performing all of the physical tacit are currently required of a police officer other than sprinting. Sprinting is actually part of the testing process in the required courses here in Florida in the law enforcement Academy. So I don't know what you can do in order to get around that other than from what I gather from your comments you feel you will be able to sprint after this next surgery. If that is the case and you are able to do so you stand a very good chance of being able to make it into law enforcement.

Also if after this next surgery you are able to perform the physical requirements of a police officer are you not also able to perform those for entry into the military? Would it not be worth looking into fulfilling your dream getting into the Army by seeing if you are able to pass the physical entrance exam through one of your local recruiting offices? Just a few things to think about.

I want to emphasize to you that physical limitations are only those that you place upon yourself. I say this with some personal experience. I received some serious injuries while in the military, and have had my neck and back vertebrae fused in several places, yet continue to be able to perform all of the physical requirements and testing of a police officer. I continue to exercise on a regular basis and to perform physical training at every opportunity. One of my favorite pastimes is what I liked terms speed hiking through were woods and geo-caching which require some fairly hard rigorous physical activity at times.

I guess what I'm trying to tell you is you are only limiting yourself when it comes to physical disabilities or handicaps. A friend of mine is a Broward County sheriffs office deputy who was involved in an automobile accident where he lost both of his legs just above the knee caps. He then went on to rehab be fitted with prosthetics and return to work as a deputy Sheriff and last I heard was currently assigned to the firearms ranges a full-time instructor.

So don't let your physical limitations limit your dreams, your dreams the your physical limitations. If you work hard enough, and put your mind to it you will be able to do pretty much anything you want. I hope the upcoming surgery helps you fulfill your dreams of being able to do what you wish.

Be well, stay safe, and drive on.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for getting back to me so fast. But i had one more question. So i have to be a regular cop for a year or so. Would it count working in the Armory. I hope to go to a gun smithing school soon. Could i gun smith for the police for a year then from there move to SWAT.?
Thanks again.
I dont know if you got my ratings from your last response let me know if you did.
JOSH SNYDER

Answer
Hey Josh,

Well most agencies do not have a full-time gunsmith. What they use are there firearms instructors and range Masters to do the gunsmithing on the departments weapons. Very few agencies across the nation actually have full-time range Masters or gunsmiths. Maybe New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, those types of agencies. That 85% of the agencies the United States are less than 50 officers and don't have a full time position like that.

Every agency that I know of or have ever dealt with require at least one year if not more on road patrol as a street officer before you can apply for any specialized unit. This is to ensure that the officers know the job of just being a cop before they assign them to a specialized unit. And remember that most specialized units like SWAT are not full-time positions but a secondary position, where you are a patrol officer all of the time and only a SWAT officer for callouts and other cases where they need a SWAT squad.

Stay will be safe.