Expert: Rod Powers - 6/1/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hello,
 I have a few questions. The first is when I was 17 I was arrested for retail theft, adjudicated and sentenced to community service. Also I was fired from 2 different jobs for theft 1 about 5 months before I was arrested and 1 about 3 months afterward. All before I was 18. Anyway these were bad decisions, but decisions I'm willing to face up to, even though now I feel that I am the complete opposite from that person. I've got a great job, I volunteer etc. Will I still be able to join the Marines with these infractions? Also I'm overweight. I'm losing quite consistently but, is there a D.E.P for overweight people? I feel if I signed up I would be more motivated to lose the weight faster. Anyways thanks for your time.

Keith

ANSWER: Hi Keith,

The infractions are going to require a waiver (see: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/marinejoin/l/blcriminal.htm).

I'm afraid there is no DEP program for overweight applicants. In order to enlist in the DEP, one must be "qualified for enlistment." That means they have to pass the medical physical, pass the ASVAB, and have any required waivers approved before they can enlist in the DEP.

However, I've known of *several* Marine Corps Recruiters who will allow overweight people, who wish to join the Marine Corps to attend their weekly DEP Meetings. This is, of course, completely up to the individual recruiter, but it seems to relatively common in the Marine Corps recruiting world.

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military Information Site at: http://usmilitary.about.com.

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the prompt response!
I have some follow up questions I'd like to ask.

  Do I need a waiver for just the arrest or the jobs as well? Also because I would need a waiver to join would that stop me from being able to do certain jobs in the Corps? Force Recon for instance? Does time between now and the infractions help? I'll be 24/25 when I join and it happened when I was 16/17. Thanks again for all you do

Keith.

Answer
Hi Keith,

Both the arrests and the job-thefts will most likley all require a waiver. When you complete your enlistment paperwork, and security clearance application, you will be asked about all arrests and convictions, as well as your work history, and whether or not you've ever been fired, and the reason why. Telling the truth is essential (see: http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/joiningup/a/falsestatements.htm).

If you get an approved morals waiver it will disqualify you from any job requiring a Top Secret Security Clearance, at least for the first four years or so of your service. After that, it's not much of a factor, assuming you have a clean service record.

Force Recon only requires a "Secret" Security Clearance (see: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjo2/a/0321.htm), so it shouldn't be a factor.

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military Information Site at: http://usmilitary.about.com.

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com