Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 3/6/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello Colonel Bedell,  
       I am currently enlisted in the Air Force and planning on getting my BA very soon and my goal is to be an officer. I know OCS and OTS commissioning programs are kind of like a water valve in the sense that some of its based of manpower, so the needs of either service varies from year to year. I am not really worried about that too much. If the Air Force will not be able to commission me, I wanted to possibly go Army OCS. Here's the catch! lol When I was 15, I got busted for marijuana at school, which lead to a minor conviction much like a traffic ticket in the sense I never was arrested, I was cited. I was truly experimenting at the time, and smoked it 2 or 3 times and the pot wasn't even mine when I was cited. Have not been in any kind of trouble what so ever since, never even have had traffic ticket. My military career so far is nothing short of Outstanding, shown on EPR's, Volunteer Awd's, Quartly Awd's and such. So as of right now standing, I am on my 1st enlistment, would have my B.A. and able to get out of the Air Force, (if they do not accept me into to OTS)May 2012, I would be 25 years old then, having served 6 years AF service.
      In your opinion, even with a Morality Waiver, would they truly be concerned with this isolated incident, and take my prior enlistment potential into consideration and do I have a chance? IS there any options or recommendations you could make as well? Thank you so much for your time reading.



ANSWER: Dear Paul --

Don't worry about getting out and re-enlisting.  If the Air Force does not accept you to OTS, then do a blue to green transfer.  Once you are in the Army, and have your degree, you can apply for OCS with a high likelihood of making it.  You might even be able to make it a criterion for the transfer (like a rider on an enlistment contract).

If you transfer into the Army this way, you will not need a morality waiver. You will retain your current rank, and you will be eligible for speciality training for a new job series.

Further, once your transgression is over 10 years old, you can consider it water under the bridge.  You do not have to mention it anymore, even on a clearance application.  So, if you got out and finished college full time, and then re-enlisted at the age of 25, you would not have to mention your drug possession citation.

Another option is to apply for a two year ROTC scholarship once you finish your associates degree.  Then you would depart the service and go to school full-time.  You would graduate with a BA and get a commission at the same time.  In the Army we consider this the green to gold option, but I am not sure what the Air Force calls it.

If any of these ideas interests you, please write back and we can discuss them further.  Good luck to you.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: You might even be able to make it a criterion for the transfer (like a rider on an enlistment contract).

Hello again,

         Sorry for the late response, but I was wondering if you could elaborate on this response.

         Also, if I was to completely get out of the service, is it a option to apply to ROTC as a Junior in college as a civilian?


Answer
Dear Paul --

The first part of your question -- The blue to green transfer helps the Army gain experienced military leaders in the enlisted ranks.  So, since you will be a high quality transfer (experience and education), you can put criteria on your transfer contract.  Such a criterion would be a guarantee to attend OCS if you perform well for 12 months, or at a training school, or other performance measure.

For the second part, yes, you can leave the service and apply for a two-year ROTC scholarship to finish your bachelors degree.  However, you can join ROTC, even if you do not have a scholarship.  You would sign a contract, receive a small monthly stipend, and attend school at your own expense.  After ROTC advanced camp, and graduation from college, you would be commissioned as a second lieutenant.

Good luck to you.