Expert: Rod Powers - 12/9/2005

Question
Hi! I just recently was chosen to be part of a reality show about normal average people going to BUD/s.. www.socomhellweek.com <-- I'm Jesse Lewis, Green Boat Crew....

Anyway, Originally I was going to join the Army, I had prepared to Sign the Ranger Contract.. I was eventually going to make an attempt at SF..

I had always wanted to be a SEAL.. So I started thinking I might just go Navy.. When I started thinking about a few things that might stop me from doing so..
1, being Marijuana use.. When I was a kid I used Marijuana a few times, Not sure how many, I'd say it could've been over ten, Not really sure..
I made mistakes, I suppose you could say, but are those mistakes actually going to make it impossable for me to become a Navy SEAL if I chose to do so?..

Beyond that, What does the security interview consist of? Is it a polygraph test? (I've heard it was)..

And, Last part :) (I promise)
I'm getting Married.. I wanted to be a Master At Arms as my SEAL source rate.. Assuming I do that, will I be deployed? If I'm not doing what I really want to do (SEAL), Then I would at least get to spend some time with the wife..

And, if I decide I would rather be in the Army, theres a Blue to Green program, can I chose my MOS and get signup bonuses and such with that? Say, Could I go Ranger?   (Noone seems to know the answer to that)

Thanks for taking the time to read all this,
                    Jesse Lewis

Answer
Hi Jesse,

See my SEAL Challenge information page at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjob1/a/seal.htm

As you can see on page 2, MA (Master at Arms) is not considered a SEAL source-rating.

Your history of drug-use would require a waiver, but -- such waivers are common (for marijuna use), as long as there was no arrests, charges, or conviction by law enforcement agencies, and as long as the number of uses is considered "experimental" (generally 15 or fewer times in a lifetime).

SEALs only require a SECRET level Security Clearance.  Generally, polygraphs are not conducted for this level of clearance, unless there are indications that the applicant is being untruthful on the SF 86 (Security Clearance Application Form).  For details about Security Clearances, see my article at: http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/generalinfo/a/security.htm

Ranger is not a specific MOS in the Army.  Instead, it's an assignment, which is open to certain specified MOS's.  While one can get an assignment guarantee to a Ranger Division, as a non-prior-service recruit (if one agrees to enlist in a Ranger-compatable MOS), this option is not open to prior-service members, including those who transfer under the Blue to Green Program.

Keep in mind, as well, that under the Blue to Green Program, there are no guarantees.  It's currently only open to sailors who are serving in ratings that the Navy considers to be "overmanned."  In other words, if you're in a rating that is considered to be "undermanned" for your time-in-service, and paygrade, the Navy is probably not going to approve a transfer under the Blue to Green Program.

Additionally, bonuses under Blue to Green are only authorized, if the person's Navy rating converts directly to an Army MOS.  For details, see the Army's Blue to Green web page at: http://www.goarmy.com/btg/index.jsp

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my military information website at: http://usmilitary.about.com

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com