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Question for military folks...

Kingantz

Kingantz

Growing too fast.
Joined
Oct 6, 2007
Messages
7,657
Location
Hartsville, SC
...or help if possible.

To keep it short, I have an 18 year old son who has been and still is heading down a path of self-destruction. I have told him that at this point, it would be good for him to go into the military (in hopes that would straighten him out). He has agreed to do so, however he has a simple possession charge. I've searched some online and have read where this may be waived, however I wanted to ask the thoughts of military folks here. Is it possible for him to get in? Any direction would be extremely appreciated.

Thanks!
 
It all depends on how it is listed by your county(felony?). Go talk to a recruiter and his supervisor and explain the situation, don't bring your son. Good luck to him.
 
I'm with Anthony, go down to the local recruiter and talk with them. They will do a back ground check on your son and a lot of times a simple possesion charge will not make it to a record. If it does show up, they can request a waiver to have it expunged. I hope the best for your son and all....... :) :thumbs: :cool:
 
Kingantz, IMO the above advice is a good route to go.

How old was he? Most states have a pretty easy system for expunging juvenile records. Regardless, if it wasn't a felony a good recruiter can help you (or your son) get that squared away.

Now for the real question, what branch / MOS? :whistling:
 
Depends on what he likes, beside chemicals ;)

Each one has it merits and minuses. If he needs discipline the most USMC, will make him a Marine(Man).
 
I would recommend the Navy, if he can get in. Clean sheets, good hot food and plenty of soap and water and not much walking unless you're stupid, volunteer to be a corpsman and end up wearing a green uniform. You can also learn a trade that has some application in civilian life, while seeing the watery part of the world.

Doc.
 
If you can see the lightning and hear the thunder you'll qualify for the army. I would look at the choices available for skill training between the services. On the technical end of things the Navy/Marines offer just about the same schooling in the aviation end while the Navy has the additional shipboard items. Air Force probably has the most whiz-bang stuff but the rank is somewhat slower and the Army does well in the communications field. If he is not technically inclined then it is a matter of what he would like ie: mechanic, welder or whatever and picking the branch that will give that job set.

However, if you are looking to install self discipline then the Corps is the only choice.
 
AVB said:
However, if you are looking to install self discipline then the Corps is the only choice.
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I'll second that, even as an Army guy.

Hopefully he can find an MOS that meets his interests. Getting a higher-tech, comms job or anything with a security clearance may be a little difficult, but anything can be waived (as long as you're honest about everything).

-John
 
AVB said:
However, if you are looking to install self discipline then the Corps is the only choice.
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I have to go with this one! :)

I didn't come out with anything that I really wanted to do professionally in civilian life, but I did learn a lot of technical applications that helped me cross over into something I enjoyed.

Biggest thing is that the Corps saved me from a certain path of self destruction that you speak of your son heading down. I didn't have an ounce of self discipline, or pride to speak of and knew it. Instead of going into college and wasting my time and my parents money, I opted for the Marines against my their wishes.

After graduation I'll never forget my dad saying "You went in a young asshole punk that I sometimes seriously thought about giving up on, and came out a man." ................. I'm still an asshole.
 
looking for knowledge said:
Army of course.

This could get fun.
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+1

As a side note, if he's interested in going to college first he can apply for the officer corps via ROTC. You don't get the real world military experience of being enlisted first which some people like, but he can do GRFD or SMP (basically, either ANG or reserves while in ROTC) and gain valuable experience from enlisted units while remaining stateside, getting his degree, learning leadership and character skills, and then gaining a commission as a 2nd Lt (not to mention the pay being much better). The only problem is he'd be a regular college kid balancing learning to be a soldier, which takes a fair amount of discipline (which the NCOIC is more than happy to instill, but you gotta have some to start with).

However, I kinda think that if he's really looking for that shot of discipline then enlisting in the Army may be the way to go. You'll be surprised how he's a different man when he gets back from basic.

Marines are hard core with the highest standards of discipline and fitness, although they are crazy dudes.

USAF and Navy guys, we tease 'em 'til we need 'em lol. Then again, maybe USAF has it right. Only branch where you can stop at McDonald's on your way to combat :)

All of the branches are good and teach discipline, leadership, character - all the qualities we guys need.

Well, that's my two cents. Good luck to you and your son. Army is a huge part of who I am today and it gave me a lot of the skills I use to be successful. It was definitely an experience and I don't think I'd be as successful or the same kinda person if I hadn't done it.

jfields said:
After graduation I'll never forget my dad saying "You went in a young asshole punk that I sometimes seriously thought about giving up on, and came out a man." ................. I'm still an asshole.
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Heh maybe but now you're not young or a punk... it's a start :p
 
This past year we had to be very strict with who we would allow into the Army National Guard, even Active Duty has made it tough. No felony charges were being allowed at all, not waiverable.

Trust me, I went down this rabbits hole for 4 months trying to get a guy in to the Guard then Active, he had a felony misdemeanor of battery and was not allowed in either.

We in the National Guard even went through the process of kicking Soldiers out with a "less than desirable" track record. Yes, we fired over 500 Soldiers in the state alone.

However, all this being said, I'm being told this fiscal year is a different animal and the restrictions are not as bad.

So really, all you can do is to call the recruiter and get their advice. Some things are waiverable, some aren't, it just depends.

As to the branch? It doesn't matter, if your son has it in him to become a better, more discipline person.....he will accomplish that in any branch of service. If he lacks the desire to do so, then even the Corps won't help him. I know plenty of friends/family that were in the same situation.....joined the Corps....and are the same person, but now with stories about being in the Marines. Same holds true for any other branch of service.

My point....it's not a given that he'll become a shining star simply because he joins the Corps (or any branch of service). Either he wants to improve himself, or he doesn't. The service in general, is an outstanding platform to do that from, however, the choice to make it happen or fail will ultimately be his.

I wish him the best of luck.
 
Brickhouse said:
This past year we had to be very strict with who we would allow into the Army National Guard, even Active Duty has made it tough. No felony charges were being allowed at all, not waiverable.
Click to expand...

Just out of curiosity, if it's expunged then he's ok, right? Does ANG not waive stuff from when they were minors?

Just curious.
 
HumiDork said:
Brickhouse said:
This past year we had to be very strict with who we would allow into the Army National Guard, even Active Duty has made it tough. No felony charges were being allowed at all, not waiverable.
Click to expand...

Just out of curiosity, if it's expunged then he's ok, right? Does ANG not waive stuff from when they were minors?

Just curious.
Click to expand...


The guy I was dealing with was over 21, so that didn't apply. However, if memory serves me correctly, if something was expunged, then it was ok. The recruiters are out of the office at the moment, otherwise I'd have the text book answer for you. I'll update the post if I see them today.
 
My stepson joined the Air Force right out of high school as a way to leave his so called friends on the island and to get a fresh start from chemical dependancy. He's a small framed, non aggresive kid who got involved in the wrong lifestyle so the AF fit his desire to do something honorable as well as give him a chance to grow up.

He cried at basic training and wanted to go home, but decided to stick it out when talking with us. Ended up being in NJ when 911 struck and he went on to serve his country proudly in Iraq and the UAE. He fights the war with his computer as he's a terrible shot with his M16 (his own words).

We are very proud of him.
thumbs-up.gif
He even ended up moving over to the Air Reserve and is going on 12 years now looking for his 20. I don't worry about him now, it's the middle child we're working on now.
laugh.gif


Irregardless of what branch your son chooses, I feel the military did a world of good for my son. Good luck to you and your family Greg.
 
The USMC did incredible things for my son. It's a tough road to travel, but if he makes it, it will something that he will be proud of the rest of his life. Robert is now a Lance Corporal and doing great.

None of the armed forces boots are "easy" to get through, but make no mistake about it - the Marines will put him to the test. Robert told me the number of guys who started vs. the guys that got the Globe and Anchor is about 75%.
 
ree ree robusto said:
How about Coast Guard? One of my best friends went to the academy and graduated as an officer. He's made a career out of it and seems to really enjoy life out on the boat.
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I'd have gone with the Puddle Pirates, had I even had an inkling they existed at the time I enlisted in the Navy. Still, I had a very good ride. The little shit dating my granddaughter thinks he is going in the Navy to become a SEAL. Let me know how that goes, sonny!


Have faith, Greg.
 
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