Expert: Jason Grabill - 2/9/2009

Question
Hey how's it going?  I have some quick questions about joining ROTC or OCS with some slight complications. I'm currently a 22 year old Sophomore at a Junior College.  I am planning on transferring to either SDSU or CSU Sacramento in the FALL of 2009 with a 3.2 GPA.  I just got done playing 3 years of football at the JC I attended, so I'm in better shape than most.  I am interested in joining the Navy either through the ROTC or OCS progams and am pretty confident that I can pass any physical or mental requirements to join the programs.  However, I've gotten my self into a little bit of trouble being a bone head football player since I've been attending this JC.  The biggest one being recieving a DUI in October of 2008.  I've taken care of everything for it except for paying of the fine, which I expect to finish paying off within about two months. Then back in 2007 I got charged with petty theft and petty vandalism, but both were dropped.  I've read on various sites that you can get waivers for certain crimes.  My first question is whether I would qualify for one of these waivers for my DUI? Second question is whether I would be able to qualify for it within time to sign up for ROTC? Because I've heard that you have to sign up for ROTC before your Junior year?  If not, would I be able to qaulify for the waiver after I graduate for OCS?  I'm also really interested in applying for the pilot program through the navy and my last question is would I still be able to apply to become a pilot if i had a DUI?  I dunno how much it matter but the last two semesters I've really stepped up my grades and have recieved a 3.5 and 4.0 GPA my last two semesters.  I do feel like I've become a more focused individual lately and really want to succeed in college and hopefully the navy. Any insight you would be able to give would be great!  Thank you Sir.

Answer
Matt:

 First, the criminal stuff.  Since the charges were dropped you just have to disclose them and get a simple waiver.  That one's easy.

 The DUI will require some more paperwork, but as long as all fines/fees are paid, and you are not on some kind of supervised probation, this shouldn't be a major issue, it just requires a waiver.

 I would talk to the local ROTC/Navy officer recruiter, and discuss this with them as well, but I don't see a major hurdle here for you.  Your grades are good and they DO look at that for pilot accession.  I think you stand a decent chance at this time as long as you don't do anything dumb from this point on.  Set up an appointment to speak with them as soon as you can to get the process started.

Jason