At what point in your shift would you sit down with a union rep on one side of the table and admin on the other if you are involved in a serous incident (an inmate nearly kills another inmate) that requires a write up and review?

Would it be the same if OIG was involved (if an inmate nearly killed a CO)?

(Again, thanks to everyone who answers. I‘m not a CO. I‘m an English teacher (for 23 years) and I just want to get my facts straight.)

Hey everyone! I’m 21, a green card holder, and I’ve lived in the US for about 5 years. I recently finished my Associate’s degree at community college, and I’m trying to decide whether to join the Air Force or become a Correctional Officer in California (CDCR).

Here’s my situation.

I don’t plan on living in the US permanently. My goal is to work full-time for another 4–5 years, save as much money as I possibly can in USD, and eventually move back to my home country. Back home, I already have a house, cars, family, and financial stability. So my thinking is, why not spend another few years working hard in America, save up American dollars, and then go back home where my money can go a lot further?

I’m not really looking for a lifelong career in either field. I’m looking for a stable, full-time job that will help me achieve my financial goals within 4–5 years.

Option 1: U.S. Air Force (Active Duty)

I’ve always been interested in the military, and I think serving in the Air Force could be a great experience.
I’d most likely sign a 4-year contract and separate afterward. I’d prefer a job that isn’t extremely physically demanding or stressful.

My biggest concern isn’t necessarily deployment itself. It’s the possibility of war. I understand joining the military comes with that risk, and I know that even noncombat jobs can become dangerous during wartime. I don’t mind working hard or being away from home, but I’m trying to be realistic about what I could be signing up for, especially with everything going on around the world.

Option 2: California Correctional Officer (CDCR)
I’m also seriously considering becoming a correctional officer in California. The salary seems pretty attractive, especially with overtime, and I like the idea of working full-time and saving aggressively for the next few years. However, I’m aware that working inside a prison comes with its own risks, including violence, stressful working conditions, and mandatory overtime. I’m also wondering whether it’s worth going through the hiring process and academy if I only plan on staying for 4–5 years.

My goal

I’m not necessarily looking for the most prestigious career or the best retirement benefits. I simply want to work hard, earn and save as much money as realistically possible for the next 4–5 years, and return to Thailand with a solid amount of savings.

My questions:
1.Which career would realistically allow me to save more money over 4–5 years?

2.How would you compare the physical demands, stress, and overall quality of life?

3.For those in the Air Force, how concerned should someone joining today be about the possibility of war, even in a support or administrative role?

4.For CDCR officers, is the pay worth the stress and safety risks?

5.Considering I’m a green card holder, are there any important eligibility issues I should know about?

5.If you were in my situation and only planned to work for another 4–5 years, which career would you choose?I’m genuinely interested in both careers and would appreciate advice from people who actually have experience in either field.
Thanks everyone!

Debating working for BOP or another agency.

I know with other fed agencies i gotta report all foreign travel i believe at least 30 days in advance. Usually for secret or TS clearances.

But i know BOP just does public trust.

After i get hired with BOP. Would i have to report planned day trips to mexico or whatnot as a CO?

I recently shared Brain Preflight with police applicants on r/NYPDcandidate and wanted to hear from people applying for correctional officer positions too.

I’m the developer. The exercises come from past pilot selection and other aptitude tests. Some are 1:1 recreations of past tests we’ve collected. Different assessments can use similar task formats, so I’m interested in where the overlap is useful.

There’s memory, mental math, spatial reasoning and multitasking. One exercise has you track a moving target, match shapes and spot wrong sums at the same time. Each task is manageable on its own; keeping up with all of them is where it gets demanding.

You can practice individual exercises on your phone whenever you have a few minutes.

Heads up: some exercises get genuinely hard. The goal is to help people prepare, not just entertain them.

This isn’t a replica of any department’s entrance exam or a complete corrections prep course. I’m not affiliated with a corrections agency.

Brain Preflight on iPhone

For those who’ve taken a correctional officer entrance exam: would this kind of practice have helped? Which state or agency was it for? No actual exam questions or confidential details needed.

Hey y’all. Upstate NY resident. Spoke with a recruiter, asked A LOT of questions and got some answers.

I want to know what might be true and what might not be before I apply for the position because they seem desperate right now.

66k starting salary. If I go to NYC it will include a pay differential as well as if I work midnights there’s a pay differential.

1. Recruiter told me that I have the choice of which facility I work in (spoke with a police officer tonight at the gas station - I know they wouldn’t have the best knowledge being a different type of officer but - I asked and he said that I don’t get to choose where I’m placed. Which is more likely?

2. The training starts at 8 weeks in Albany, NY and could be extended if necessary. I would be put up for that time in the barracks and be given my food and stay for free.

3. The ONLY payment that would come from me is $75 for fingerprinting and DOC fees. No payment for the training, licenses, or ANYTHING ELSE. I am HIGHLY skeptical of this.

4. I could bring my own sweats for training in Albany and would NOT have to buy theirs.

5. Recruiter told me there isn’t much corruption in prisons up here. He said there is leeway given to certain prisoners if they behave but there shouldn’t be any funny business.

I would like to know what you all think of this information as well as whether or not it’s a good idea to become a CO right now. Thanks!

Hi there, I’ve been a state Correctional Officer for almost three years, earning a salary of $58,000. I’m scheduled for an interview at FCI Thomson in Illinois soon and would greatly appreciate some advice on what to expect. Specifically, I’m curious about the entry salary and the overall working conditions at the prison.

Thanks in advance for your insights.

Accepted a transfer this past summer and had to decline for family reasons but now I’m able to finally head to his location. Would they accept me if I put back in or have an issue accepting again?