Raymond Briener always knew he wanted to go into law enforcement. Raymond had a lot of experience in public safety and volunteered in his town at the Kane County volunteer center. He was commander of the Kane County Community emergency response team, fire department, and search and rescue. He previously heard about Job Corps through a recruiter who visited his high school and was interested in the corrections program. After graduating from high school early, Raymond enrolled in Gary Job Corps Center in San Marcos, Texas, to train in the Corrections Officer program.
There was an adjustment period for Raymond coming from Kanab, Utah, with a population of 4,700, to attending one of the largest Job Corps centers in the country. However, he quickly became involved with extracurriculars including student council, which helped him feel connected. Raymond also participated in a work-based learning experience that provided him the hands-on experience he sought. He worked security at Gary Job Corps, working at the main gate and the second checkpoint gate.
Raymond was able to learn about report writing and improve his communication skills, two vitally important qualities of a corrections officer. Raymond was also able to renew his first aid and CPR certifications, as well as apply for and join the Honor Guard.
“Job Corps helped me find out who I was. Job Corps was a steppingstone into the profession I wanted to get into. The trade I picked had a lot of structure. It helped me focus on what I wanted to do.”
Both Raymond’s captain and major mentored him throughout the program. He was able to go to them with any issue, whether it was related to his career training or outside of Job Corps. They also helped students like Raymond with their job placements after graduation. Raymond filled out his application, interviewed, and completed a skills test to become a corrections officer for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDJC) at the age of 19.
Raymond worked for the Daniel Webster Wallace Unit (state prison) in Colorado City, Texas, for about a year. Raymond learned key skills such as interpreting body language and working the radios, and he used the technical and interpersonal skills from his time at Job Corps every day.
In October 2020, Raymond returned to Kanab, Utah, to further his career and train to become a town marshal for Fredonia, Ariz., a town near Kanab. Raymond has been training with a marshal and going on ride-alongs to receive hands-on experience to one day become a deputy marshal.
“Know what you’re going into. Don’t worry about everything else around you that much—just focus on why you’re going there, and keep that focus as your goal.”
Graduated from Job Corps in: Oct. 18, 2019 Employer: Former: Corrections Officer with TDCJ (Texas Department of Criminal Justice); Current: cadet (trainee) for the town of Fredonia, Ariz. Hometown: Kanab, Utah Notes:
Contact Information: raymondbriener@gmail.com; 435-899-0563
Source: Center Submission
Story Type: Vetted Story