Expert: John L - 2/11/2010

Question
I recently tried enlisting in the army and had gone through meps.  I had my recruiter trying to get me a waiver after the process for a dui in which i had received 3 years ago.  While waiting to hear back i called my recruiter and he told me that a charge popped up from 2006 for a paraphanalia possession.  I honestly didn't even remember this charge because it was just a ticket and i had taken the fall for someone else and only received a 1 year supervision.  My recruiter told me that i am disqualified because of this and I am wondering if I would be disqualified if I tried joining the marines.  I've not been around bad crowds the last couple years and have not gotten into any trouble and am trying to do something positive with my life and being in infantry is something i've been looking forward to.  Should I try going to the marines or will they tell me the same thing because I don't know if my recruiter was mad because he thought I was withholding information from him and just told me that i would be permantley disqualified or what??

Answer
The army cannot take anyobe with a possession of marijuana or paraphenalia charge/conviction.

The marines are the same way.  Tghe National Guard MIGHT be abke to take you, but you will have to go to meps to tell the Dr about the charges, he will disqualify you and send you out for a consult with a shrink.  You then will require a medical waiver most likley, which you may or may not get.