Becomming a Marine officer after college with dui?
I am 22 years old and have been doing research for a few weeks now but have not yet contacted a recruiter (I hear all they do is lie anyway). I am looking for advice from current military personnel on which branch to join (preferably Marines) after college. I would like to become an officer and even...
I am 22 years old and have been doing research for a few weeks now but have not yet contacted a recruiter (I hear all they do is lie anyway). I am looking for advice from current military personnel on which branch to join (preferably Marines) after college. I would like to become an officer and eventually a pilot. I have been an athlete all of my life (6ft 4in 195-210 lbs), although my last two years in college have been spent 'enjoying college' as opposed to keeping in shape. I have no problem with completing the Marine Corps boot camp. I scored a 28 on my ACT and graduated from a private high school with a 3.8 GPA and will graduate with around a 2.5(shitty I know) GPA from a private college(Saints John’s University, MN) known for its difficult academics in May '09. I was arrested for possession charges (marijuana-10grams) as a minor and for DUI(.09BAC) as a freshman in college. I need to know my chances of becoming an officer. Is there a better choice for a branch to join? Will my past drug/drinking violations hurt my chances of acceptance? How should I go about getting prepared and who should I contact? What are things that recruiters won’t tell me? How much did you love/hate the military? And any other advice even remotely pertaining to this subject….Please don’t respond if you have nothing good to say..and thank you in advance for the helpful responses.
Also forgot to mention that I will graduate with ,000 in student loans
Well it sounds with your student loan debt, the Army would be a better option for you for various reasons. For one, the Army is easier to get a commission in than the Marines simply because the Army needs more officers and the Marines need less.
For two, the Marines don’t offer nearly as much money in student loan repayment as the Army. The Army offer up to $65,000 in student loan repayment so looks like you can get rid of your debt. The Army doesn’t care about your GPA and your criminal offenses are most likely waiverable considering the time that has gone by since that occured.
Get in touch with a recruiter and do some research on enlisting in the Army under an OCS contract. There are certain ‘quirks’ to the system you need to educate yourself with. Make sure you are with a recruiter who has handled an OCS contract before, you don’t want to be the guinea pig for one of these guys and have him screw up your packet. You’re desire to become a pilot in the Army is not guaranteed as you will be branched needs of the Army, unless you graduate in the top percentage of your OCS class and pick Aviation as your branch. The Army also operates more rotary wing aircraft than fixed wing aircraft, something to keep in mind.
Generally speaking you have a guaranteed chance at becoming an officer in the Army and a pretty good one in the Marines. But you need to figure out what you want out of it. If you want to be free of student loan debt, the Army can do that for you. Good luck!
EDIT: I just want to make a clear I received a waiver for a DUI when I came in. I knew guys in OCS who were waivered for marijuana related charges. It is completely feasible given a highly motivated recruiter and desire to be an officer to get in the Army, maybe not the Marines, as an Officer.
It is best to ask your recruiters. Personally, I don’t think the Army or Marines will take you with your record. Tell your recruiter the truth and let him check it out for you. Go to http://www.goarmy.com and click on chat with a recruiter.
You should contact your USMC OSO and ask. With the Marines PLC and OCC, if a candidate washes out or completes the course and decides he does not want to accept a commission, there is no further military obligation. Aside from it being dishonorable, there is little incentive for an OSO to lie to potential candidates, since a dissatisfied candidate can simply drop out of the course.
Officer Selection Station twin cities
mailing Address
Marine Corps Officer Selection Station
1 Federal Drive, Room # 520
Fort Snelling, MN 55111
Local Numbers
(612) 725-3270/3271/3272
Fax Number
(612) 725-3274
Toll Free Number
(800) 247-7584
E-mail
Captain K. C. Gawronski: gawronskikc@marines.usmc.mil
The Twin Cities OSO does not appear to have a website but this publication is very informative:
http://www.und.nodak.edu/org/mao/MarineProgams.pdf
There is a wealth of information on the DC Marine Officer website:
http://dcmarineofficer.com/programs.html
Physical Prep:
http://dcmarineofficer.com/preparation.html
Marine Officer MOS Handbook:
http://dcmarineofficer.com/welcomeaboard.html
Here is the national Marine Officer website:
http://marineofficer.com/page/Officer-Sitemap.jsp?ref=1653
The Marines are the only service branch that will guarantee a flight school slot:
http://www.nycmarineofficer.com/opportunities.html
If your GPA is too low, you can also commission through nrotc mo as a professional or graduate school student. An nrotc mo scholarship might pay the tuition.
More information on afrotc, nrotc, nrotc mo and rotc by clicking on the logos down the center of this web page:
http://military.berkeley.edu
Calculate regular military compensation at the link. Location makes a significant difference due to the housing allowance(BAH.) Single Enlisted Sailors and Coasties ranking below E-5, Enlisted Marines and Soldiers ranking below E-6, Enlisted Airmen below E-4 live in the barracks and do not collect BAH:
http://www.defenselink.mil/militarypay/mpcalcs/Calculators/RMC.aspx
2nd Lt( Army, Air Force, Marines) = Ensign(Navy, C.G.) = O-1.
1st Lt( Army, Air Force, Marines) = Lt JG(Navy, C.G.) = O-2.
Captain( Army, Air Force, Marines)= Lt(Navy, C.G.) = O-3.
Advancement to O-2 around the 18th month.
Advancement to O-3 by about 42nd month
Good Luck!
They will not take you as an officer. They will take you as enlisted with your prior convictions, and the Marines may not take you at all with them but the Army will.
Well you will Never be a Marine Officer
with a Criminal Record…