Unfortunate turn of events = new gun for me.

**Martinjmpr** · 08-16-2012, 09:53 AM

My stepson has wanted to be a cop for years. Even served as a reserve Deputy Sheriff for a while. Then in May he was notified that his application for a local PD had been accepted and he started the academy in mid-July.

He was required to buy a Glock 17, as that was the only gun that was allowed in the academy. He has a Springfield XD-9 that he likes and he was told that after the academy he would be given the opportunity to qualify with his Springfield and carry that. So he asked me if I would agree to buy his Glock once he was done with the academy (I had previously told him I wanted to get a G17 because I wanted a full size semi-auto that could shoot cheap 9mm ammo.) I told him I would do better than that and wrote him a check for $500 so he could buy the Glock, with the understanding that after he no longer needed it, he would sell it back to me for a nominal fee.

Well, a week ago he called my wife and informed her that he had resigned from the academy after just three weeks. His explanation was that he and his wife are expecting their first child in less than a month and he was told he would not be able to take any time off for the birth or to help Mom with the new baby. Privately, my wife and I don't believe him and we think that's just a pretext (if I was to guess, I'd say it was his temper that got the best of him and he was put in a situation where he had to either back down and apologize for something or quit.)

So, seeing as he no longer needed it, there is now a brand new Glock 17, 4th gen (with a couple of extra grip inserts), complete with Trijicon night sights, sitting in my safe, new in the box with 3 17 rnd mags, and it's unfired.

So, not a great turn of events for the family (fortunately the stepson was able to get his previous job back) but it does mean a new gun for me, and that's not a bad thing at all!

Hopefully the boy will grow up a little and realize that you don't get anywhere in this life without being able to swallow your pride and endure a little abuse. God knows if you can't take a drill instructor yelling in your face, you aren't going to be able to take some punk on the street calling you a "pig" or worse.

**airbrnebkr** · 08-16-2012, 10:12 AM

I am sorry to hear about that. I think that your thoughts are correct. The federal government requires that a job must allow you to take time off for the birth of a child or to care for sick family members so that just doesn't add up. Maybe he is just not ready yet. Glad to hear he was able to get his job back though, especially in this economy and congrats on the new gun. You will love the G17.

**zanshin** · 08-16-2012, 11:17 AM

I would imagine there are certain training sessions that cannot be interrupted should you need to leave for personal reasons (there certainly are in the Army), but they often allow you to return in a later course if you're maintaining your workload and proficiency during training (although you may have to start a Day 1 and repeat some parts). It's possible he got to thinking that being a PD LEO wasn't the best career choice for a new Dad, or maybe he just plain didn't enjoy the work it was going to bring. It's a job that has its disadvantages and dangers, no doubt about it... even in small towns and rural areas. I was never interested in it as a career field, especially after working for a year as a Public Safety night dispatcher while going to grad school. Good you got a new firearm, and hope he's happy and satisfied with his life choices. We always want the best for our kids.

**Zimmy** · 08-16-2012, 09:09 PM

Way to keep things level, Dad.

My dad and others mentored me, I've mentored mine and others, the game goes on.

Some of us are made to be a cop, others to be astrophysicists, hookers (we need better hookers in this country), and burger flippers. It's all about finding what they are good at. Keep up the positive attitude.

**zanshin** · 08-17-2012, 07:41 AM

I used to be a pretty decent astro-hooker flipper. Pretty much washed up now. Welcome to K-Mart...

**Martinjmpr** · 08-28-2012, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by zanshin

I would imagine there are certain training sessions that cannot be interrupted should you need to leave for personal reasons (there certainly are in the Army), but they often allow you to return in a later course if you're maintaining your workload and proficiency during training (although you may have to start a Day 1 and repeat some parts). It's possible he got to thinking that being a PD LEO wasn't the best career choice for a new Dad, or maybe he just plain didn't enjoy the work it was going to bring. It's a job that has its disadvantages and dangers, no doubt about it... even in small towns and rural areas. I was never interested in it as a career field, especially after working for a year as a Public Safety night dispatcher while going to grad school. Good you got a new firearm, and hope he's happy and satisfied with his life choices. We always want the best for our kids.

Yup, that thought also occurred to us.

The big news is, the baby girl arrived last Wednesday (Aug 22nd), she was due Sept 7 so this was a couple of weeks early. She's tiny (5 lbs 7 oz) and requires a lot of care!

Daniel ended up taking most of last week off which, if he had still been in the academy, would probably have caused him to be dropped, so in the long run I think it was a good choice for him. His current job (rec specialist at the county jail) gives him nights and weekends off as well as a pretty reasonable boss who will work with him so he can attend medical appointments, etc.

bg · 08-28-2012, 12:57 PM

You don't have to be a cop to know that it isn't for everyone. Better to arrive at that conclusion early instead of 10 years into a career you hate when your personal frustrations start leaking into your work. Congrats on the addition to the family!