Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 9/3/2008

Question
When I was in high school, I was very involved in athletics and never drank or got into any trouble. However, once I went to college and no longer had sports, I like far to many people my age decided that I was their for the party rather than for school. Although I maintained a 3.5 GPA, I became wild and got into some trouble. I was arrested three times for public drunkness and was once ticketed for possession of beer in a dry county. I am interested in making the Army a career, but I want to be an officer.  I acknowledge that my record will make it difficult to get into OCS, but do I even stand a chance? Also, is their anything I can do to better my chances such as obtaining a graduate degree or letters of recommendation from public officials and/or active duty members? If wait a few years, will I have better shot because more time will have elapsed?

Answer
Dear Jacob --

You could try to get a graduate ROTC scholarship for two or three years, if you want to get an advanced degree in a field the Army needs.  These fields can vary from quarter to quarter, but usually the Army needs engineers, scientists, certain linguists, civil affairs experts, chaplains, lawyers and doctors.  

If you got one of these scholarships, you would be commissioned when you graduate with your advanced degree.  You would attend a cadet version of basic training and advanced training during the summers of your schooling.  That means your graduate degree would take a bit longer, because you would not be taking classes in the summer.  Please take that into account when you apply for your scholarship, so you request a long enough scholarship funding period.

Otherwise, if you are a very high quality candidate except for your numerous arrests, you can apply for a morality waiver, and try for OCS.  Your success will depend on how many other high quality candidates apply, who do not need morality waivers.  

Understand that although you might get an OCS rider on your contract, a billet in an OCS class is predicated upon high performance in basic training.  If you do not do well enough, you will be compelled to complete your enlistment in the enlisted military specialty outlined in your enlistment contract.  Do not sign a contract and enter the military, unless you are willing to complete your tour as an enlisted Soldier (perhaps applying for OCS at a later date.)

Please write back if you have additional questions.  Good luck to you.