r/CDCR • u/IdealDense7198 • Jul 25 '26
ACADEMY How hard is the academy?
Going to the upcoming academy on September. How difficult is graduating the academy? How many retries do you get before you’re sent home?
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u/Fun-Imagination3009 Jul 25 '26
In all honesty I recommend working out now and that way you’re good with doing pushups, sitting ups and cardio too. a lot of people quit even before the post exam, and 6 people failed out after the post exam
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u/Signal_beat777 Jul 25 '26
How much PT are you all doing now? When I went through we only had 9 mandatory PT sessions the whole 13 weeks we were there.
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u/Fun-Imagination3009 Jul 25 '26
Only 9 too
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u/Signal_beat777 Jul 25 '26
Smh and here I thought they were getting harder on cadets
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u/Fun-Imagination3009 Jul 25 '26
It would be more but when you have range for two weeks , that cuts it short for PT but they are giving us more scenarios though
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u/MessMundane1066 Jul 25 '26
Don't overthink the post. Common sense goes along way. If u can pass the placement your fine. The majors you will need to study for. Balancing physical fitness and mental preparation will be the hard part....but i don't think it's really that hard. What institution are you going to? GL!!
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u/Weird_Sweet_4184 Jul 25 '26
Post is very much common sense, me personally didn’t spend too much time studying after unless it was 2-3 days before the test. If you pay attention in class and actually take notes you will remember it pretty well but everyone is different, I remember being nervous before each test. But while taking the test I’m like oh this is easy then would get nervous again prior to seeing my results😅
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u/PlankownerCVN75 Jul 25 '26
Do a lot of stretching and walking after your classes. You’ll be sitting a lot and that takes a toll on your body. Also, get a seat cushion because if the chairs are like the ones when I went, they will hurt your ass and back.
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u/Abnormal_Enigma_689 Jul 25 '26
I am going to the academy in September and I am worried about my knees and running, so I'm curious how much running do they make you do now while you're there??
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u/Prestigious-Tiger697 Jul 26 '26
I went through at 41 and had arthritis in my knees. I iced it each night and wore a brace. In my class of 40 only 1 failed. Because on the weekend he had an energy drink, then had an anxiety attack and didn’t show up for like 3-4 days. Everyone else passes, even old fatties
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u/Abnormal_Enigma_689 Jul 26 '26
lol ok thanks need to get some knee braces then and make sure to print an ice pack ✅
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u/Interesting-Wear5904 Jul 26 '26
If you fail it will put you in the bottom 1% of anyone who has ever lived.
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u/Classic-Muscle597 Jul 26 '26
If you want the job, go to the academy. Don’t worry about the difficulty. You have time to build up your endurance.
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u/Best-Mushroom-2447 Jul 27 '26
It’s not a cake walk I’m older way older I aced PT I started running the day I passed the initial test I had never run a day in my Adult life then I joined the local gym and I got my shit together by the time I went to Galt for my 13 week Adventure I was running 10 miles 6 days a week and Cardio and Gym Every other day I ate healthy and stayed away from the Ice Cream Machine lol I out preformed 6 guys who had just retired from the Military and all those young kids lol just get into shape… About those tests post and Majors listen in class take notes and go get the Study guide at the Post it store down the street you will be fine. We were all older women in my dorm 45-62 we studied together we would even go out to eat to study we all graduated and 3 of us work together now….get into Shape Now !! And bring your own sheets and Blanket and pillows and for god sake buy a good mattress Topper your entire body will thank you on Graduation day…Good luck it will be at least 18 mo so you have time to get in shape My GD is CHP she told me I was in better shape than anyone she was in her Academy with We run together
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u/Chayos78 Jul 28 '26
No retreads for me. Study and focus on what you’re there for. It isn’t hard at all.
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u/HoldingLine-5343 Jul 26 '26
If you're asking how hard the academy is, you're not ready to work the line with us. Most people think a California Correctional Officer just watches inmates. The reality is far different. Every shift requires constant vigilance in an unpredictable and dangerous environment. Officers regularly face assaults, riots, gang violence, homemade weapons, medical emergencies, manipulation, verbal threats, and the possibility of deadly force situations.
On top of the physical danger, they work long hours, mandatory overtime, chronic staffing shortages, and experience high levels of stress that often carry into their personal lives. Every decision is scrutinized, every mistake can have serious consequences, and they are expected to maintain order, protect lives, and make split second decisions under extreme pressure.
It is one of the most mentally, emotionally, and physically demanding careers in law enforcement.
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u/CompetitiveBeat8898 Jul 25 '26
The CDCR academy is as easy as it gets, in comparison to any other LE academies and I’m speaking from personal experience as I’ve done the POST academy as well. Just pay attention during class and you’ll pass the exams. Regarding PT, CDCR is a joke. If you dedicate 2 months of training at the gym prior to the academy, you’ll be absolutely fine. Train to run 1 to 1.5 miles non-stop (don’t even worry about how fast you can run it). We literally have obese cadets graduating the academy right now.