Expert: Dick Rogers - 5/18/2007

Question
Hey Dick,
I was just recently discharged from the marine corps with an OTH for misconduct. I have two combat tours to Iraq and I want to be a cop but I'm not sure how this effects me in that way. Can you be hired for a government job with this discharge? If not what kind of security or private contractors do you know of that might hire. Any advice would help. Thanks  Dick
Drew

Answer
Drew, as it turns out a nephew of mine was discharged from the Air Force with an OTH descharge and I went to a hearing in New Mexicon to testify for him and he was hired and is still a cop in Santa Fe.  Basically, what I think you have to do is be prepared to bare your soul when you are interviewed...state what happened and why it would never happen again...if you have someone in law enforcement (such as with my nephew having me) who would go to whomever to state your case, all the better.  It is not a lost cause, but you have some work cut out for you.  Be honest and up front and convince them that your stint in the Marines was an anomoly.  Good luck.