You are here:

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/i have been despertly trying to join the military for 2 years

Advertisement

Expert: - 2/8/2007


Question
I have been trying to become a marine for 2 years now and have been unsuccessful. i have repetitive charges 4 drug paraphernalia and 2 retail thefts. i took the asvab and physical, passed both. scored a 56 on asvab. i even got a congressman involved to help and the judge that dropped my last charge is trying to help to but he doesn't know how he could help. i finally gave up on the marines when the congressman got me an interview with a major in the USMC, to decide if i could join. but i never got to the interview because he cancelled before i could see him because i had "too much stuff." so i have been trying to join the army ever sense. they said I'm only allowed to have one paraphernalia and one retail theft. the rest would have to be either DISMISSED, NO FILE or DROPPED. i have no felonies or serious charges, just a couple too many. what could I do to join? Do you have or know any stories of people like me earning a chance to join the military? what could the judge do if anything to help me join or sentence me to the Army/USMC?  

Answer
Stuart:

 The USMC Major is correct, they (the Marines) will only waiver so many things, and you have a total of 6 charges.  Simply put, you will have to go back to the court, and petition the court to have your charges "No File, Dropped, etc", at least some of them, so you have the required 'lower' amount. Even then, you will require, as you discovered, a waiver to enlist. Otherwise, there is nothing even the Army can do for you.

 The idea that courts sentence people to military service nowadays is totally false.  Those with multiple charges, like yourself, are automatically disqualified for any type of military service, so courts don't even consider it anymore, unless it's something really small, and a one time thing, and the person charged goes out and enlists on their own, they sometimes consider dropping charges because of that.

 So, the only thing you can do is go back to court, and petition to have your record cleared so you can enlist.  

Good luck

Jason  

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

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.