Applying for State Investigator positions. How far out should I submit?

Question

I am a Special Agent with Army CID and will be exiting service in the summer of 2011. I would like to apply to several State Investigation positions in places like Florida and other east coast States. How far out should I start to apply so that I could hopefully have a position as soon as I get out.

Thanks for the help.

Answer 1

A good time to start is when you get down to less than one year on your enlistment. They can take several weeks to accept applications, and the background check could take several months.

If you get offered a job before your enlistment is done, you can apply for an early discharge, or possibly transfer your active duty to the Army Reserves or National Guard.

Worst case, the Army doesn't let you out, but you are still on an eligibility list.