Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 8/8/2009

Question
I am A Peruvian American , I always want to enroll in the military service and for personal reasons , I was discouraged. Now , I made up my mind. My family (wife and child) gave me the OK . I have a bachelor decree in Computer Science and I also have a year of CISCO CERTIFICATION NETWORKING ADMIN studies. Now I am 40 years and my birthday was in last July. In my young years , I got a DUI and I had fight with a bully in which I was charged of something (first time ever). This ever incident was expunged long ago. Currenly I am looking for a good advice in getting into the military service and this time , using my career and skills in the military. I do not have any military training , except in PERU when I was in high school. I would like to see if I can get commissioned in the Army ,Navy, Airforce, Marines or Coast Guard. in other words , what would be the best approach to combine my skills and serve my country. Better late than never. I am an naturalized American.

Thank you , sincerely
Ramchy

Answer
Dear Ramchy --

With your bachelors degree, you are eligible for officer candidate school (OCS), if you are otherwise a high quality candidate.  Your age is waiverable up to age 42.

The Army is the service most likely to need your skills at your age, but you should explore all the options with all the services to see who offers you the most definitive chance at officer training, and service as a commissioned officer.  You can begin exploring your options on each service's web site.  But in the end, you will need to find a recruiter to work with on your enlistment package.

Currently all of the services have made their recruitment targets for fiscal year 2009.  You will have the best opportunity to enlist with an OCS billet, if you wait until the fiscal year changes on 1 October 2009.

Prior to visiting a recruiter, take some Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) practice tests, and become familiar with the type of questions you will see.  You can get a practice book in the self-help section of any large bookstore.  It will benefit you to be in good shape when you go to visit the recruiter.

Your prior misconduct should not be an issue, but report them if they are within the reporting period, on your history file.  You may need need a waiver for one or both incidents.  You are only allowed three waivers, so if you need those two and an age waiver, you will be at the maximum allowable waiver number.

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