Expert: John L - 7/24/2010

Question
Hello Mr. Lewis,

My name is Darrell Lewis. I am a 23 year old graduate student currently working on an MBA in project managment. I have been interested in serving in the Navy since I was in highschool and even called a recruiter then, but, did not enlist at that point, because, he ended up not meeting with me. At the time it broke my heart and I went to college instead. Anyhow, I went on to get an associates degree in networking, a bachelors degree in computer science and currently have over 20 credits in graduate Business. Unfortunatley, I had a strong will as a kid, but, am a rather stupid young man as I got a DWI in 2007 when I was 20 and am currently awaiting the courts adjunction on a Possesion of Marijuana pariphanelia. At the behest of a fellow student, a retired navy officer, I called the local (Saint Louis, MO) officer recruting command and he told me the main thing was to gain weight. (5' 9" @ ~100 lbs). I should note the drug charge had not occured at that point. Now, I understand there is a great deal of integrity required of officers and despite whatever the circumstances I received those charges under I fairly immediatley shelved that dream. Also, I have called an enlistment recruiter and he did tell me to come on in when the case is finally adjuncted and I comply with all of the courts orders and sentences. I also went ahead and took an practice asvab at military.com which I got a 69. Though I will admit that I am not keeping my hopes up. I do understand less and less waivers are being accepted as Obama reduces the size of the forces, which increases the desired qualifications of personal and reduces the selectivity rate.

My actual questions are, however, based on the what-if of being allowed to enlist and how having the waivers would effect the experience of my service.

1. I would hope to be able to get the IT rating so I could work in my trained field. Given that I work my butt off and keep my service record clean, will those waivers continue to make it difficult for me to be regualry promoted?

2. If I serve one or more terms of enlistment, would that at all benefit my chances of ever being able to qualify for an OCS slot with my record?

Also, I have seen many different weight charts. If I go on as though I have a chance of enlisting, where should I be at a minnimum so it would not be an issue.

Thank You very Much for your time.

-Darrell Lewis

Answer
1.  you will not be able to get into the IT field with a drug charge in you past.  The drug chrge will have no bearing on future promotions, but no serices are taking drug convictions at this time.

2.  OCS requires a 4 year college drgree and anyone who is qualified can put in a packet to go to OCS.

3.  Weight is an issue, 69 inches requires at least 117lbs I belive or really close to it, (i do not have my wieght chart with me)

Obama does not reduce the size of the armed forces, he has no authority to do that, only congress can, and actually, we are getting bigger, not smaller.