Expert: Jason Grabill - 2/8/2008

Question
 Hello, I have researched about the eligability requirements and am in a state of despair. When I was 13 years of age, I was adjudicated for two felonies. If my comprehension of the subject is accurate, I would not qualify for a one time inccident waiver. Please email me if you would like to know more of the specifics pertaining to the adjudications.
  The question I really want to ask is, do i have any chance of becoming a United States Marine? From my research, the answer is obviously no. But i can't help but ask myself, why not. Why should I give up on something I hold dear and long to achieve? yes, granted I made two choices, when I was but 13, that were not of the best nature. But I repudiate the idea that two choices in my life define what kind of person I am; what I am able to acomplish in life. I will not allow these two choices, irrevocable as they are, dictate how I am going to live my life. I am currently 17 and all I think about for the majority of the day is the Corps. I have not the passion for any thing else in life except the corps. I do not think that my passion is my own doing, but rather, I think God has enstilled this veneration within me.
  With human beings everything is either on or off. Everything has a classification, stereotypical. I don't understand how the service can look at a file and say they know that person. Nobody can tell me what kind of person, who they really are, and expect me to understand them in 10 or less words. But isn't that what the service is doing? I take back the nobody part because there are a select few amoung the human populace that could tell me in 10 or less words. They could do it in 6. All they would have to say is "I am a United States Marine". that would do it for me.
  I currently attend New Braunfels Christian Academy and am a decent student. I have 27 letters of rcomendation for the corps being written by various parties who truly know my heart. I keep telling myself just because it hasn't been done before, doesn't mean it can't. Man can accomplish anything if he puts his mind to the task. i am putting my whole mind, soul, and body into this effort. I intend to fight for this with all my heart. If I have to get an appointment with the President of the U.S. of the Commandant of the Corps, by gosh, I WILL find a way.
 Any information you would be willing to give me on any of the above matters would be greatly helpful and appreciated. My email is: drm254455@yahoo.com  . Thank You for your time.
                         IN HIS GRIP
                           Darren

Answer
Darren:

 First, I would suggest talking to a recruiter before you go any further.  If you have not done so (and it doesn't appear that you have, yet) then see what they have to say.

 With your letters of recommendation it sounds like you have turned yourself around considerably.  You might still be 'waiver' material, despite what you think.  Talk to a recruiter before you go any further, then work from there, you may be surprised at the outcome.  Get back to me after you talk to the recruiter and update me on your progress!

Jason