Past legal trouble

[RHogan84]

Hello all,

I'm a 22 year old from NY looking into the Navy. From what I've seen the Hospital Corpsman is the route I'd like to go, but I've had some legal issues in the past. I had a DWAI(alcohol) in Oct. 2004, and an underage possession of alcohol in June 2002. I have one class left to graduate college with a bachelors degree in sociology, and have seriously toned down my drinking. I don't know how the Navy scores the ASVAB but I scored a 92 qt, and 127 gt for the Army in August. I am very interested in this field and was just wondering how my past would affect my future. Thanks for your time.

[Da-Chief]

RHogan84,

Welcome to Corpsman.com! Thanks for stopping by, I can answer your questions for you.

A couple for you though first..

1. If you are graduating with a degree, why are you not going for a Commission?

2. If you still want to be Enlisted why a Corpsman?

Give me some feedback and then I will answer your questions.. I can tell you to come in though you will need a Waiver.

Because of said waiverwill not be assigned overseas as a permanent duty station until after your first tour. This is hard written in the Over Seas screening process.

This does not mean you cannot go to the great Sand Box though. You can be "DEPLOYED" with the Marines.

Also I see you say you don't drink much etc.. Shipmate, you need to stop now. The Navy is "SERIOUS" about Alcohol incidents. "1" with your history and your "GONE". Out kaput Other then Honorable Discharge etc..

Think long and hard about it..

HMC

[RHogan84]

Cheif,

I had looked into Both the Marines and Army to go in as an officer, but I was turned off from them because I felt as though the Army recruiter was lying to me and the Marines were trying to force me into a decision. Also I felt like I could help/learn more on the enlisted side. As far as being a Corpsman goes I have this nagging urge to serve my country and I would ratherwork to keep people alive than take thier lives.

[Da-Chief]

Shipmate I need to caution you on something, As a Corpsmen, we are combatants now, I will kill rather then be killed.

We now carry 2 Weapons, usually a 9mm and a M-16A/2.

I know several HM's who are part of the Combat team, I know I was the SNCOIC of a react team when I was with them. Don't go it with stars in your eyes thinking you will only save lives, You will be doing that as well, but I will take care of myself and my Marines first!

V/R
HMC

[RHogan84]

Yes sir I had read that on one of the other discussions, and I understand the kill or be killed mindset you need it to survive. I just felt that going into this field would ultimately lead to doing greater good than bad and was looking to tap into all the information I could before I made any decisions. I appreciate the honesty that you are approaching this with, alot of other people would tiptoe around reality and just tell me what I wanted to hear so thank you.

[Da-Chief]

No problem, always better to be educated. I just wish more recruits were as educated as you are now.

Happy New Year,

HMC

[combatdoc]

To do greater "Bad" to the enemy, is to do greater good for our side. I have seen too many Docs try to take on the roll of a Jarhead and get their asses blowed away. You are their to take care of your men, they are there to take care of the enemy. Remember that. If you want to carry a weapon, carry one that is effective at close range, 1911 45 and a Stephens sawed duck bill did me just fine. Don't worry about what the enemy is doing in the distance, they get too close, well then you have something that is affective, and then you can get back to business at hand, taking care of your men.

Semper Fi,

Doc Cottrell

Koh Tang 15May75

Ya, I'm an old bastard

Remember, Marines don't cry, just sometimes their eyes sweat.

[HMC-FMF-PJ]

A word about Recruiters
http://www.corpsman.com/wowbb/view_topic.php?id=60&forum_id=2

You should also speak to an officer recruiter instead of an enlisted recruiter. That doesn't mean the recruiter needs to be an officer, but his job needs to be locating & signing officer types. Even if you don't think a Recruiter is full of BS, its not a bad idea to request to see it in black & white or to ask for the regulation/instruction number so you can go research it yourself.

Also, look around your college classroom. Some students/teachers you like, others rub you wrong, and others you can't stand. Same with Recruiters and Recruits. If you get a bad feeling from one, go to another. If one is selling what you don't want, go to another. However, at some point, some people realize that there might be a reason they are not getting along with anyone and that the military might not be their cup of tea.

Waivers for PAST behavior are typically not an issue, but the conduct must be behind you. Two years really isn't that long ago and, even among those without a history, the pressures of the job tends to provide some with an excuse for substance problems. I've had to send people to rehab and I've had to help prepare bad conduct discharges. Not fun. A BC discharge will haunt you for life and will eliminate many federal benefits and jobs.

Its all up to you though. Officer or enlisted? Rating & occupational specialty? Success or failure? You make the choice. You negotiate and ink the deal. The military will give you what's needed to succeed, but will challenge you along the way, and won't hesitate to slam you if you decide to screw up instead of excel.

[sball]

does having a misdemeanor of any kind keep you from going overseas for your first tour?

[Da-Chief]

If you area required to have a "WAIVER" to join.. Yes..

V/R
HMC

[Kaymanism]

Wait...is that any waiver? Or just behavioral...I have a waiver for my knee...does this mean I cant go overseas?

[Da-Chief]

Not medical, Just Bad Ju Ju Waiver..

;-)
Later

HMC