Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Career issues after discharge

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Expert: - 3/6/2008


Question
You helped clear up things yesterday, I'm hoping you can help with this one...after the general discharge, would my son ever have a chance of becoming a firefighter?  Do you know their position on this?

Answer
Nancy:

 As a volunteer, *maybe*, as a paid firefighter, it's going to depend.   They WILL focus on the discharge and the drug use and that is going to hurt him for sure, esp. since he will be competing against others who may have honorable discharges with combat time.  Realistically, the FD is going to choose them over him, partly because their discharges are honorable and partly because they may have veterans preference for combat service.

  Many agencies won't even talk to someone with anything less than an honorable, esp. these days when there are many candidates looking for this job, who have good discharges with no issues.

  Realistically, he's going to have to 'settle' for something that may not be to his liking, digging ditches, greeter at Wal-mart, etc.  If the FD hires him, great, wonderful.  But, realistically, if I were on a hiring board, I'd likely disqualify him because of his failure to follow rules and discharge.   He will have to deal with this for the next several years at minimum, for sure.   There are lots of vets out there sitting on hiring boards, and, quite frankly, they are NOT going to hire someone with a crappy discharge.  They will look at that person far closer than they would someone else, and find reasons NOT to hire them.  ( I would..........and have).

 I'm sorry, but that's just the way it is.

Jason

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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Jason Grabill

Expertise

Questions relating to US Marine Corps; rank, awards, uniforms, career choices. I can also help people spot and expose fakes (people pretending to be Marines or have awards they didn`t earn). Considering the Marines as a career? Or another branch, like the Air National Guard? Drop me a line. HOWever..know that I am NOT a recruiter. I can offer my expert opinion and advice, but can't (and won't) over rule what a recruiter says, they are the 'on duty' expert.

Experience

Infantry Rifleman, MOS 0311: 3 years. Marine Barracks Security (Marine Barracks, Annapolis, Maryland(not Embassy Duty): 3 years. Parachutist: MOS 9962: Got my wings in August of 1984. Intelligence Specialist: MOS 0231 10 years working as an Intelligence Analyst with a Fixed Wing Fighter Squadron, Force Service Support Group, and at Headquarters, Marine Corps. Field Radio Operator: MOS 2531. Served as a Platoon Sergeant in a Communications Platoon assigned to MEU Service Support Group 24 (Special Operations Capable). Did a hitch in the Army reserves as an 11B (Infantryman), 3 years. Finished out my career in the Air National Guard as a BioEnvironmental Engineer MOS 4B3X1, did that for a few years. I"ve been collecting and selling Marine Corps and other military uniforms, medals, and field gear since I was 8 years old.

Organizations
United States Marine Corps Logistical Company.

Publications
I was an Editorial writer for Marine Corps Times from 1998-2000.

Education/Credentials
Extensive library of research materials relating to uniforms, medals, and equipment of the military and the Marine Corps. 22 College credits, Community College of the Air Force. Certified Historical Interpreter.

Awards and Honors
Kosovo Campaign Medal w/1 star Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 4 stars. Numerous other unit awards. I was on duty on 9/11 at HQMC, near the Pentagon, and responded to that location to try and lend a hand if needed...

Past/Present Clients
United States Marine Corps Historical Company, Guardian Security and Investigations, lead Investigator for 'Stolen Valor' cases.

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