Expert: Rod Powers - 5/22/2007

Question
Hello there!

Ok down to the point shall we? i am currently serving a sentance of 2 years executed at 1 successful year in the Evansville, IN safe house on a Class B felony of Burglary and a second count of Theft resulting in a class D felony. Both of which are under the amount of $200. After my year is up in the safe house i will have 5 years of unsupervised probation. I'm about 6 months into my sentance and am prepared to go before the courts for a case modification.

About 10 years ago.. i was a farely.. fun child. I did as i pleased and what pleased me was to make things in class rather than my school work. I faught some, and had a bad attitude. After being expelled from school I was taken to see a few psychology couselors. none belived i was bipolar or would jsut not diagnose me for fear of the meds interupting the development of my young mind. I took meds for a couple years trying this and that and nothing worked.. finally i took myself of the meds and have lived a fairly normal life. I have read a few books on Bipolar Disorder and i do not apart from everyday normal human being feelings have the problems as someone with bipolar disorder.

Ok with all that layed out for you. I want to and have wanted to join the Marine Corps since i was a child. The thought gives me goosebumps and idea of being a marine has well.. made me happier than any woman ive ever been with! :) needless to say.. i want to be a Marine. :D

What can i do to help myself have the best chances of joining the marine Corps? At lease go without a perminant disqualification. I'm not looking for any loop holes, in either system. Semper Fidelis is something me and my whole family has ever lived by.. i knew the words and meaning long before i ever heard of the marines. So im not looking to be dishonest.

I think this is all.. thank you so very much for hearing me and and in advance thank you for your help!

Jared

Answer
Hi Jared,

I'm afraid I don't have very good news to offer.

First of all, the felony conviction disqualifies you (see: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/marinejoin/l/blcriminal.htm).

Now, the Marine Corps has been approving more waivers for a single felony conviction lately than they have been in times past (see: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/waiverdetails.htm).

But, you have TWO felonies, and federal law prohibits a service to waiver more than one felony conviction. It just can't be done.

Even if you only had one felony conviction, you would not be eligible to enlist until after your probation period, *if* the probation included any of the following:

a. Regarding an individual's freedom of movement, or

b. Requiring the payment of damages, or

c. Requiring periodic reporting by individuals to an officer of the court (to include a probation officer), or

d. Involving supervision by an officer of the court (including a probation officer) upon the individual.

Applicants currently under these forms of restraint are not eligible for enlistment until the term of the sentence or probation has been fulfilled.

Finally, because you were treated (took medication) for a possible mental health condition, this is disqualifying, even if you think it was a misdiagnosis. Getting a waiver for history of mental health treatment is even harder than getting a waiver for a single felony.

I wish I had better news for you, but -- unless they change the rules in the years to come -- I don't see any chance that you can enlist in any of the Military Branches, at present.

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