Expert: Jason Grabill - 2/24/2009

Question
Hi Jason, I hope all is well. I have read many of your posts and thought you would be a great person to ask this. Anyway, I'm 31 years old, and have recently took interest in pursuing a career in law enforcement. I'm in good shape, have good morals, and am an honest person.
In 1997 after a failed first term in college, I decided to give the USAF a try. I made it through basic, and was stationed at Charleston and doing fine. Long story short, this kid I was in basic with who lived in the same dorm as I had some roofies that he was distributing around to different people.I didn't really know what they were at the time, but he offered me one and I took it. I was 21 years old and stupid. Soooo he gets caught and tells OSI (investigations) everyone he gave one to. I got called in, and after they interrogated me, I admitted to taking one. I was given an article 15, plus 30 days restriction to base, 30 days extra duty, and reduction in rank. I did all that they asked in hopes they would retain me. After getting several Character references from my Sergeants and a few airmen I submitted to the commander of our squadron my defense, and wrote a letter. It still wasn't enough and they gave me a general (under honorable Conditions) discharge. My JAG at the time told me that if I was in any other branch, that I would have gotten a slap on the wrist.

So, my question is, can I still make it on to the force? I want to either go with JSO or FHP here in Florida. I have not had any issues since leaving the service, I was in 1 year and nine months. I returned home after that and worked my way through college and now have a bachelors of science in business administration from the University of Florida. No DUIs, felonies, arrests....nothing but the occasional hit off of friends pipes especially in college.

Thank you,


Phil  

Answer
Phil:

 Your JAG at the time was correct, the Air Force boots folks fast, far faster than any other service sometimes.  That's because they usually have a waiting list to enlist.  

 I would talk to one of the JSO/FHP recruiters, if  you have had no other issues since then and now have your degree, I would think you would be a good candidate.  The discharge you'll have to talk about in depth but it's still under honorable conditions, so it won't be a huge deal.   Hopefully you haven't been on 'the pipe' for at least five years because that will be a bigger concern if it's been recent or repeated use.

Good luck!

Jason