Looking for recommendations on tactical pants & boots for CSI work

Starting training soon for a CSI position (Texas) and looking for some advice from people in the field.

I’m also trying to figure out what brands of tactical pants and boots are good for crime scene work.

For my first day, the department told me to wear:
Long pants/blue jeans
Polo or T-shirt with no graphics
Professional, but not too professional
No shorts
Comfortable shoes

They didn’t specify boots or a certain type of shoe.

I currently don’t own any boots. I have a pair of all-black Nikes that I wear for my current job. Would those be fine for the first day of training, or should I go ahead and buy a pair of work/tactical boots?

Also, what brands of tactical pants and boots do you recommend for CSI work?

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u/Kindly-Heart-653 — 1 day ago

Academy Questions

Just accepted a TDCJ Correctional Officer position and was wondering what to expect going into the academy. Is the drug test and PT test usually done on the first day, or do they let you know ahead of time when those tests will be? I recently moved to another part of Texas and need to find a new doctor to get my inhaler prescription, so I’m mainly trying to figure out when the PT test is. Also, what’s the academy actually like, and is there anything you wish you knew before you started? I’d appreciate any advice or personal experiences. Thanks!

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u/Kindly-Heart-653 — 29 days ago

help!

indecisive choice need advice!

Currently got a job offer. It’s a state job, if that matters. They haven’t given any information on the testing date yet, but they did give me my training/academy date. I’m unsure if the drug test will be on the first day of the academy, but just assuming it is, which option would be best (pros & cons): Passit Kit (One Shot), Quick Fix, or Monkey Whizz? Or just find a real person to use lol

A bit nervous because I’m unsure how the testing will be for a correctional position, but I want to be prepared just in case I have to carry it around all day.

I’ve used UPass and QF a few times with good results, but I’m definitely overthinking it. I also used Monkey Whizz for an internship with a police department, but since that was a city job and not a state job, I figured the screening probably wasn’t as strict.

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u/Kindly-Heart-653 — 30 days ago

indecisive choice need advice!

Currently got a job offer. It’s a state job, if that matters. They haven’t given any information on the testing date yet, but they did give me my training/academy date. I’m unsure if the drug test will be on the first day of the academy, but just assuming it is, which option would be best (pros & cons): Passit Kit (One Shot), Quick Fix, or Monkey Whizz? Or just find a real person to use lol

A bit nervous because I’m unsure how the testing will be for a correctional position, but I want to be prepared just in case I have to carry it around all day.

I’ve used UPass and QF a few times with good results, but I’m definitely overthinking it. I also used Monkey Whizz for an internship with a police department, but since that was a city job and not a state job, I figured the screening probably wasn’t as strict.

reddit.com
u/Kindly-Heart-653 — 1 month ago
▲ 4 r/tdcj

Crain Unit in Gatesville

I’ll be starting the academy soon. This will be my first corrections job, so I’m just trying to get an idea of what to expect.

If you’ve worked there or currently work there, what was your experience like? Did you enjoy it? How are the supervisors and other officers? What’s the day-to-day like, and what’s something you wish you knew before you started?
Also, since it’s a women’s unit, is it any different from working at a men’s unit?

Any tips or advice for a first-time CO would be appreciated. Just trying to be as prepared as I can before I start. Thanks!

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u/Kindly-Heart-653 — 1 month ago
▲ 0 r/tdcj

Drug Test

In Texas, during a drug test, does someone watch you while you urinate, or are you alone in the restroom? Also, what are the most effective ways to clean your system before a drug test?

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u/Kindly-Heart-653 — 1 month ago

Wedding Hashtag

Need some creative minds to help us come up with a wedding hashtag! 💍We’re open to anything, punny, catchy, funny, modern, clever, romantic, or even something completely out of the box.

Bride: Taliyah
Groom: James Hollins

So far, we have:
#TiedToTheHollins
#OhHollinsWeDidIt

We’re also hoping to find one that could inspire a wedding theme or decor. For example, my mom had a cruise wedding, and her hashtag was #Aboard2Laborde, which tied perfectly into the whole wedding.
If you have any ideas (especially ones with wordplay), we’d love to hear them! Bonus points if it’s unique enough that people will remember it. 😊

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u/Kindly-Heart-653 — 1 month ago

need help with wedding hashtags

Need some creative minds to help us come up with a wedding hashtag! 💍We’re open to anything, punny, catchy, funny, modern, clever, romantic, or even something completely out of the box.

Bride: Taliyah
Groom: James Hollins

So far, we have:
#TiedToTheHollins
#OhHollinsWeDidIt

We’re also hoping to find one that could inspire a wedding theme or decor. For example, my mom had a cruise wedding, and her hashtag was #Aboard2Laborde, which tied perfectly into the whole wedding.
If you have any ideas (especially ones with wordplay), we’d love to hear them! Bonus points if it’s unique enough that people will remember it. 😊

reddit.com
u/Kindly-Heart-653 — 1 month ago
▲ 1 r/passat+1 crossposts

Does Volkswagen have an unofficial tradition like Jeep Ducks?

Hey everyone! I was wondering if Volkswagen owners have an unofficial community tradition like other car brands.
For example:
● Jeep owners have ducking 🦆
● Subaru owners have cows 🐄
● Toyota owners have Yodas 💚
Does VW have anything similar? If not, what do you think it should be?
I drive a 2017 Passat, and I think it’d be fun if there was something VW owners could leave for each other at meets or even on random parked VWs. Curious to hear if there’s already a tradition I just haven’t heard about, or if the community has any ideas!

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u/Kindly-Heart-653 — 1 month ago

2017 Volkswagen Passat R Line Automatic ~200000-Mileage

ooking for some advice before I spend more money chasing this down.

A mobile mechanic came out and said the fuel pump was likely the issue. He mentioned the crazy Texas heat we’ve been having could’ve contributed to it going bad.
Before replacing it, the car was kind of weird. It would usually run fine as long as it had gas and wasn’t sitting out in the heat for too long. All last week it drove without any major issues.
I had the fuel pump replaced this past Saturday, and it seemed like everything was fixed. The car started and drove perfectly all weekend.
Then today (Monday around 5 PM) it started acting up again with the exact same issue. More so the stuttering noise at the beginning of the second video is the sound I hear.
I forgot to get a video today, but I’m attaching videos from when it first started happening since it’s doing the same thing.
For context:
Fuel pump replaced this past Saturday
Starter replaced earlier this year
Alternator replaced at the end of 2025
Battery is fairly new too

u/Kindly-Heart-653 — 2 months ago

LOA

I’m currently on a Leave of Absence from June 5–19 as a Class Q employee at an Amazon Sortation Center. My birthday trip ended early because I got sick while traveling, but I’m feeling much better now.

Does anyone know if it’s possible to return to work before my scheduled return date, or do I have to stay on leave until June 19? I don’t have any UPT or PTO available to cover the remaining days if that makes a difference. Just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation or knows how Amazon handles early returns from an LOA. Thanks!

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u/Kindly-Heart-653 — 2 months ago

I recently got converted to a blue badge (05/03) I signed for the enhanced dental and vision. When would I be able to use my benefits? Im part time class Q

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u/Kindly-Heart-653 — 4 months ago