PoliceLink

Ever feel like you've run a marathon and then smacked into a wall?  Today is that day for me, I'm just flat out down in the dumps.  I've been putting in applications to join the reserve deputies/pd's in my local area figuring that it would help me in the long run once I completed my education.  Due to budget cuts they were only able to accept 6 candidates.  All 6 that were accepted had prior military experience, most coming back from the war and in need of a job.  Please don't get me wrong, I don't begrudge those folks one bit, nor the departments for making their choices as they did, it's logical and completely understandable.  As one of the Sargents told me I did fine all around and he reminded me that they normall run with 6 reserve officers due to the size of the county but they couldn't afford to take on additional people (there were 10 positions opened up in the surrounding areas between county and local pd's - they have had many reserve officers move on to other states as full time officers/better jobs within the last 6 - 8 months and there was doubt that we would even have any reserve officers/deputies until the millage that was just passed last week allowing for the monies so they were not replacing people as they left).  But dang it all I've been busting my rump between school and working 50 plus hours a week to become an LEO and I feel like the ugly duckling standing against the wall at the dance.  Sigh.

Question to all you experienced folks out there:

1)  The Sargent who called me - I know him pretty well so he called to let me know what the scoop was.  But the other 3 dept.'s just sent a letter.   Should I call them to see what I may have done or what I can do to become a better candidate?  Or should I just sit in my corner? 

2) Any advice from you folks out there?  Please understand I'm NOT bashing anyone for getting a position that I want.  I truly do understand that they are picking the people they feel are best for the job.  What I want to know is what I can do to compete in this highly competitive enviroment that I'm finding myself in.  I feel like I've just ticked off the Judo instructor and he's decided to teach me a new move spotaneously.  I've still got a year of school, still have a decent paying job, etc., etc.  Problem is I just don't like my job, it's not what I want to do with my life, it pays the bills but doesn't make me happy to go to work.  I've been hooked since my first ride along a couple of years ago, I try to go on them when I can and it's good with the dept's.  I still remember that moment when I realized that this was what I really want to do with my life, when that answer became clear.  I'm as happy as a duck in water sitting in a police cruiser picking brains of experienced people and watching what they do. The problem is that I'm not a spring chicken NOW and I'm worried that the more time goes on the less likely I'll be looked at despite experience with safety/sanitation laws and regs. and inspections and security and managment of both small and large groups of people, search and rescue volunteer, etc., etc.   Pity's sake I can't even get into the reserves.  Maybe I'm just too eager, too confident....I don't know.  Blah.

Sigh....I'm just so completely bummed today. 

What say you?  Don't be shy about comments, I wouldn't have posted this if I wanted smoke blown, I'd like to hear truth first, even if it's not what I want to hear.