Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Marine Corps Disqualification

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Expert: - 6/29/2010


Question
Sir,
Last January I went to my local USMC recruitor to enlist. I was a senior in high school. During the intial meeting, my recruitor asked me some basic information. When the felonies came up, I had the integrity to tell him that I was convicted of a 2nd degree battery felony charge when I was 16. He made a note of it. A week later he performed my FBI backround and local check and nothing came up on any of my records, clean slate. The battery charge was in my sealed juevenile record. Time passed and I went through all of my M.E.P.S processing and right before I could take my oath my recruitor said I had been disqualified because during that intial meeting he sent my packet through to central command and my info. Then he said the C.O. knew about the charge and that they weren't going to pass me the waiver. Since then I had gotten the charge expunged, letters from our parish D.A., Clerk of Court, Louisiana State Sentator, Attorney, and numerous high ranking retired Marines including: a Brig General, two Lt.Col and a ssgt. and Gysgt. All giving me great recomendations and on the court side saying I hadn't been convicted of any crime and my record was clean. The Major incharge of the recruiting in this district still turned me down after all this, and said to stop trying. Sir, I still want to fight this battle and be able to serve with the best. The Army says joining with them would be no problem and I could go to basic by next week. What should i do?

Answer
Philip:

 The Marine Corps has reached a point of 'maximum saturation', and can basically pick and choose who they want.  Most waivers for criminal stuff are NOT being granted and it's totally up to the local district to decide if they are going to do them, or not.  There is basically nothing you can do at this point.  On the good side, if the army will accept you, you can do a tour with them, and enlist in the Corps after a successful tour with an honorable discharge.

 At this point, it's about the only way you'll serve as a Marine.

Jason

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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Jason Grabill

Expertise

Questions relating to US Marine Corps; rank, awards, uniforms, career choices. I can also help people spot and expose fakes (people pretending to be Marines or have awards they didn`t earn). Considering the Marines as a career? Or another branch, like the Air National Guard? Drop me a line. HOWever..know that I am NOT a recruiter. I can offer my expert opinion and advice, but can't (and won't) over rule what a recruiter says, they are the 'on duty' expert.

Experience

Infantry Rifleman, MOS 0311: 3 years. Marine Barracks Security (Marine Barracks, Annapolis, Maryland(not Embassy Duty): 3 years. Parachutist: MOS 9962: Got my wings in August of 1984. Intelligence Specialist: MOS 0231 10 years working as an Intelligence Analyst with a Fixed Wing Fighter Squadron, Force Service Support Group, and at Headquarters, Marine Corps. Field Radio Operator: MOS 2531. Served as a Platoon Sergeant in a Communications Platoon assigned to MEU Service Support Group 24 (Special Operations Capable). Did a hitch in the Army reserves as an 11B (Infantryman), 3 years. Finished out my career in the Air National Guard as a BioEnvironmental Engineer MOS 4B3X1, did that for a few years. I"ve been collecting and selling Marine Corps and other military uniforms, medals, and field gear since I was 8 years old.

Organizations
United States Marine Corps Logistical Company.

Publications
I was an Editorial writer for Marine Corps Times from 1998-2000.

Education/Credentials
Extensive library of research materials relating to uniforms, medals, and equipment of the military and the Marine Corps. 22 College credits, Community College of the Air Force. Certified Historical Interpreter.

Awards and Honors
Kosovo Campaign Medal w/1 star Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 4 stars. Numerous other unit awards. I was on duty on 9/11 at HQMC, near the Pentagon, and responded to that location to try and lend a hand if needed...

Past/Present Clients
United States Marine Corps Historical Company, Guardian Security and Investigations, lead Investigator for 'Stolen Valor' cases.

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