Expert: Matt - 7/13/2009

Question
Hi, I'm trying to collect some information for my husband and thought I would try to research the situation first before taking up any more of the recruiters time. Let me apologize for such a long post and so many questions. I realize you are busy and have other questions so any insight is extremely appreciated.

My husband is 24 and attended Marine Military Academy for his sophmore and junior years of high school. He was not able to return for his senior year and ended up dropping out of school entirely before getting a diploma. When he was 18 or 19 he was arrested for possessing a small amount of mushrooms. He completed probation terms and the judgement listed on his background check is nolle prosequi. He qualifies for an expungement but has not yet done so. In addition, he has a number of tattoos.
The local recruiter has told him that he should
a. have 6 of his tattoos removed (including a rebel flag that is apparently considered a gang symbol)
b. get a high school diploma (he only needs 2 credits)
c. have his record expunged
My first question is whether or not he could enlist with a contingecy that these things be done before he ships out to mtc (in our area the wait is 10 - 12 months)?
It is highly expensive to get these tattoos removed and I would rather not spend the money if he still may not get in.
His father and grandfather were both career marines reaching high ranks and also in special forces, which is what he would like to try for.
Question #2 is whether he would have a chance of applying for special forces with all of these issues plus a waiver for prk surgery and having 4 dependents?
My last question is whether or not accompanied marines ever get stationed at army bases or if the only places we are looking at are Hawaii and Japan?
Thank you so much for your time and once again, I apologize for the lengthy post.
April

Answer
Hi April

Ill do my best to answer your questions,but alot of that stuff is up to the recruiter. First off, having tatoos removed is expensive, there are waivers available for such things, however the rebel flag tatoo might not sit too well with the black and hispanic marine recruits your husband would be around all day everyday for 3 months, so I would at least get that removed. Additionally, the marines just implemented a strict policy that tatoos cannot be showeing when wearing a t-shirt, so sleeve tatoos and neck tatoos are frowned upon. The family history is great, but it probably wont help in getting in, Im sorry to say. As for the spec ops stuff, all marines enlist the same way, and it's only after about a year of time in the regular marines that he would be eligible. The USMC spec ops (MARSOC) is currently in need of new marines, so his chances are definitely greater now than they ever have been. Unlike the army, which promises ranger spots, the marine corps doesnt make any promises, which in my opinion makes getting into spec ops allthe more honorable. And lastly, the marine corps has several bases besides hawaii and japan, namely Camp LeJeune in North Carolina and Camp Pendleton in San Diego. Best of luck!

Matt