Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 9/2/2009

Question
Mr. Howell,
Thanks for reading my question.

I'm a 30 year old college graduate from a Big-Ten university with a degree in Civil engineering construction management.  I would very much like to become a Navy officer in the Civil Engineering Corps/Seabees.

In 2007 I made a horrible decision to drive home from a Christmas party.  I was pulled over and given a field sobriety test, I passed.  The officer then asked me to take a breathalyzer and I declined.  Subsequently I was charged with misdemeanor DUI.  In court due to a previously clean record, 4 speeding tickets over 10 years, the charges were reduced to misdemeanor reckless driving.

The conditions of the charge reduction stated that I had to pay a fine, I think around $700, attend alcohol awareness classes, 24 hours of community service, one year of supervision, and attend alcohol awareness classes due to the nature of the original charge.  I was told that the conditions were higher than they might have been due to the fact that I declined to take the breathalyzer.

I paid my fine, completed the classes and community service, and my supervision ended a year ago without incident.  This is the only time I have ever been that stupid and my record is clean otherwise.

I'm an Eagle Scout with a B.S. Degree in Civil Engineering Construction Management, an A.S. Degree in Civil Engineering Technology and an A.A. Degree with emphasis in Mechanical Design Technology.  I believe that the Navy has a lot to offer me and that I would be a great fit for the Navy Civil Engineering Corps.

Does it make a difference for me that I was convicted of reckless driving, instead of DUI?  I've heard that waivers aren't available in the Navy for DUI or other alcohol related incidents.  Is this true?

A friend of mine who is a Navy Corpsman, told me that I should only tell the recruiter about the part that I was convicted of.  Not the other stuff.  I'm not sure I feel comfortable with that if it means lying.  Not sure what to do about that?

Do the alcohol awareness classes automatically exclude me from being excepted into OCS?

Thank you for reading this, I look forward to any response.
Sincerely,
Cullen


Answer
Cullen,
We were all young and dumb once and fortunately the military recognizes that.  You made the right choice of choosing reckless driving, instead of DUI.  Your misdemeanor is easily waived.

Well-meaning friends seldom give good advice.  By no means lie about it or misrepresent it.  All military Officers are required to have a minimum of a Secret security clearance.  Because of this, your past is examined by the FBI, and believe me they will uncover everything.  If they find anything that you didn't claim on your paperwork, they will kick you out for falsifying federal documents.

What you've probably heard about "no waivers" is somewhat misconstrued.  Right now the Navy is not giving waivers for any reason because their recruiting goals for 2009 have been met.  Your recruiter will process it for you.

You've heard of big businesses operating on fiscal years rather than calendar years haven't you?  Well the military is like any other big business and begins their new fiscal year on October 1st.  So my point is, go see your Navy recruiter on October 1st.  You want to be first in line when the new quotas for the year 2010 are released.

PS.  Some free advice:  I notice that you said, "I believe that the Navy has a lot to offer me..."  Don't ever say that, especially when asked why you want to join.  Always say what YOU have to offer the Navy.  Tell them why your education and experience is of value to them and why they need men like you.

I'm sure you'll have no problem getting the waiver.
Thanks for wanting to serve your country as an officer.  You'll love it.
Please send me a follow-up some day and let me know when your OCS class reporting date is.
I love to hear success stories.
Colonel H