Any of you guys/gals that have been around for a while know I left my old agency in 2015 and started at a newer, much bigger one. It was a big leap, I left my dream gig for the great unknown, coming to a city where I didn't know anyone and starting in a division that was unlike anything I had ever worked. The move was primarily for my kids/family, after the ex moved them 250 miles from where we had lived. It brought me much closer, with better pay. And it was anything but easy.

In the almost 4 years at my new department I've been very active and worked my butt off. Right off the bat I was given big responsibilities on top of my normal job because of my unique background and certifications, and after earning my dues on the line I was able to get back into the type of policing I enjoyed-a drugs and guns unit.

It all paid off today. Been in a promotional process for the last 3 months, put in a lot of work prepping and testing and interviewing.

Got the phone call this afternoon--selected for promotion! Sergeant Chongosuerte!

It's frankly life-changing. Not just the money, but it's a completely different aspect of the job, one I've worked hard to prepare for. I've got a lot to learn, but I'm excited about this new journey!

The irony is I made sergeant here before any of my peers at my old agency have made it there. That's proof that switching was truly a great decision.

So...any advice on what I'm supposed to do now?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: chongosuerte,

Congratulations! Well earned!

Congrats, sir! Go forth and be a good leader - that's all you have to do.

Merry Christmas Chongo!

Hey congrats!! Hard work and dedication certainly pays off.

I took a leap of faith 2.5 years ago and, in my case too, it was life changing.

Best of luck in your new role.

Advice? Go back to taking names and kicking ass like you're good at, maybe.

Congratulations!

Congrats Sgt.

Feels good. Our son put on his stripes awhile back.

Remember where you came from.

Congratulations, Sergeant!

Smell the roses for a bit and then keep doing what you do. Congratulations on your promotion. I admire your nerve in jumping feet first into something new and making it payoff. Well Done!

Congratulations Sergeant Chongosuerte!!

I'm guessing you just need to keep doing what you have been doing!! Thanks for your work//service!!

Congratulations!

Congrats! Chief Chongo.... has a nice ring to it!

Hey, that is excellent!
Congratulations, Sergeant.

!!!!!CHONGO!!!!!!
CONGRATS Brother! It's a big step and You deserve it.
Never forget where you came from.

Years ago, one of the better Sgts I worked for had a piece of paper on his desk. It had 2 columns of names. I recognized a lot of the names on that list. I asked him about it... He told me something that stuck with me almost 20 years later.

One column was the bosses he admired. The good bosses, the guys that you would go thru the gates of hell for.
The other was "those" bosses... The ones that are dumber than a box of rocks, can't seem to get out of their own way, and always seem to live off the work of others.

My boss told me that every day, he tries to do something that the great bosses did, look out for his people, take care of the troops, protect them from the shit that flows down hill.
He also said that he remembers the shit that the bad bosses did, and that he'd never do it again.

Congratz chongo.........I think.......this is coming from me having been a sergeant for 15 years.....ahh the headaches you will now get from all sides.

Advice:
1. Train your troops; do in-service brief stuff if in patrol covering and reinforcing the basics.
2. Think about the characteristics/actions of both the good and bad supervisors you have had and determine what you want to emulate. A lot of times, you can learn more on how not to do things from the bad supervisors.
3. A couple good books to read are:
Leadeship and Training For The Fight by Paul Howe and The Tactical Trainer by Paul Howe. Howe is a former Delta soldier and an excellent trainer (I have been through a couple of his courses).

Congratulations, Sarge!

Congrats! What to do now? Go be the Sgt you always wanted to be, and the one you always wished you could work for.

You bet...congratulations!!

quote:

Originally posted by chongosuerte:
So...any advice on what I'm supposed to do now?

Go make the world a better place. I've read your posts, you've done this for a long time.

Congratulations for taking a chance and working hard. Stay safe and be happy.

Congrats!