can i still join?

[garrettt333]

What is the name of your state? missouri

i just turned 17 and was charged with a drug par. DWI, and driving on the left side of the road none are felonies but i was wondering if this will stop me from getting into the marines. i have only been charged, and not prosecuted yet. what do you guys think?

[iescaped]

Originally Posted by garrettt333

What is the name of your state? missouri

i just turned 17 and was charged with a drug par. DWI, and driving on the left side of the road none are felonies but i was wondering if this will stop me from getting into the marines. i have only been charged, and not prosecuted yet. what do you guys think?

With today's shortages and lower standards, I would think you'll be fine.

Good luck.

I think you should hire a lawyer. If money is an issue, get a public defender and whoever you have, they might want to use the idea of your want to go into the marines as a lever for leniency in your situation. Basically, and i dont know you, so dont take this personal, but your actions were very immature and stupid. I personally have no sympathy for someone who is on the road drunk endangering peoples lives including your own, BUT if you want to go into the marines and are wiliing to grow up, the court may take that into consideration and give you a break. Good luck and from now on, give your keys to someone when your drinking.

[marine]

What was the outcome of the infraction? The days of going ionto the Marines to avoid jail/trouble are long gone, but most judges will effectivly end any sanction if you are excepted espically during War. You will not be permitted in the Marines while on probation, active or defered. Yet, you will still need a waiver in any adverse case to get in.

Dont worry. The Corps will transform you.

The only thing I'd worry about is the current attrition rate of first term Marines who get the boot for alchohol related offences. The Corps current policy on drugs? ZERO TOLERANCE. A Waiver is discretionary. Your age will both help and hurt you.

Worst case. Go Army Guard for a TRY One Year program (might be a bonus) and then enlist in the Marines as prior enlisted. You'll get E-2 or E-3 out of boot camp and that increases your Marine first term survival rate by a magnitude, You'll still be a boot and get crap details, but you'll be the junior in charge of it.

[fozzy2]

Originally Posted by marine

The days of going ionto the Marines to avoid jail/trouble are long gone, but most judges will effectivly end any sanction if you are excepted espically during War.

Indeed, if a person enters the Marines (or any service) under threat of judicial sanctions it is not a "voluntary enlistment" and the person can use it as a basis for being discharged. So if a judge says "jail or the marines" and the marines take you, you can then turn around and get a discharge and flip off the judge (from a safe distance, preferably). That is one reason the military specifically asks about such situations in your enlistment paperwork. The military doesn't want you in such a situation since you are eligible to get out.

[garrettt333]

so what should i do? should i talk to a recruiter now or wait till my court date and find out what happens? i plan on getting a lawyer but i dont think it will really change anything.

[garrettt333]

Originally Posted by revere787

I think you should hire a lawyer. If money is an issue, get a public defender and whoever you have, they might want to use the idea of your want to go into the marines as a lever for leniency in your situation. Basically, and i dont know you, so dont take this personal, but your actions were very immature and stupid. I personally have no sympathy for someone who is on the road drunk endangering peoples lives including your own, BUT if you want to go into the marines and are wiliing to grow up, the court may take that into consideration and give you a break. Good luck and from now on, give your keys to someone when your drinking.

i learned my lesson i totaled my car and everyone from the cops to the tow truck guy said i should be dead. it was a big wake up call, believe me. i hit a ditch and roled three times end over end.

You can do what you want, but personally to avoid the bull****, i would go to court first and get your case taken care of. If you go to the marines now, they might tell you there is nothing they can do while your case is pending. In my previous post i mentioned using the marines as leniency, but i didnt mean if it came to marines or jail, what i meant was telling the D.A or judge your plans to enter the military might make them think you are ready to take responsibiltiy and grow up and therefore be easier on you. Good luck either way.

[steveatx]

You should contact the recruiter now. They are so crooked that he will probably give you specific instructions on how to circumvent the rules so you can get into the Marines, if there are any rules left. He just wants to reach his quota. If you at least have the majority of your limbs, you should be fine.

Here are some sites that may help you out. They list some questions you can ask the recruiter, such as "Why do veterans earn less than similar non-veterans?" and "Why are veterans imprisoned more often?" and "Why are 1/3 of all homeless people veterans?"

[url]http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/joiningup/a/recruiter.htm[/url]
[url]http://www.objector.org/before-you-enlist.html[/url]

[kwohl]

Originally Posted by garrettt333

What is the name of your state? missouri

i just turned 17 and was charged with a drug par. DWI, and driving on the left side of the road none are felonies but i was wondering if this will stop me from getting into the marines. i have only been charged, and not prosecuted yet. what do you guys think?

join the army if marines doesn't work. the army is loaded with people that have waivers for everything under the sun. i've seen a lot of guys with the "go to war or go to jail" card, but it depends on the offense--mostly what i've seen is people that had some type of drug offense or something nonviolent. meps trys to be all super serious and act like they dont want you in the military--buts its all just a game face, they're more desperate than ever--besides the air force, which isn't desperate. think of it this way-- they WANT you in the military, so don't let them lower your self worth.

also just my personal advice--try getting education before you try the military card, leave behind whats negative in your life and focus on improving yourself and working on your education, then when your a couple years older and more aware of who you are then hey maybe you can reconsider the military. just PLEASE, PLEASE don't rush into doing it. they will try to rush you in making decisions and signing papers that affect the rest of your life so just be careful. you don't need the military as a catalyst to change your life, you can change your life on your own, and with passion, motivation, and desire you can do more than you can imagine in the civilian world compared to the military world, because as a soldier or marine your completely locked into something that you cannot get out of or CHANGE, there is NO changing the military--if you think you can change something about the military you are DEAD wrong-- the military machine will never change. think,think,think and then if its your hearts desire and your family and friends are supportive, well just go ahead. make sure its YOUR decision and not someone elses, dont let ANYONE talk you into it.

well just a bit of advice..take it how ya like it.

-kevin

[steveatx]

Kevin is right. This is 8 years (including reserve time) of your life that you are giving to them when you sign that paper. If you leave before your time is up for any reason, a dishonorable discharge will haunt you for the rest of your days.

[marine]

Marine lesson one: Don’t ever listen to the bravo males.

He is already in trouble so what would it matter if more vets wind up in jail? (false)

I would wager a testie that the homeless item has more to do with original economics than military service (You could similarly ask your recruiter: Why are more poor people in the miltary?)

and as far as the income issue goes, I find it highly suspect. How the two can be compared? We could ask why drop outs earn less than high school grads who earn less than college graduates...and on and on....what group are you comparing to vets? all nonvets? thats like 90% of society!

Its the single, best thing you can do aside from going to college and then enlisting. In your youth and state, college may aggravate your situation.

Sounds like you need it in your life and it sounds like you are headed in the right direction.

Subnote:

Wait a sec! Maybe there is some truth here!
from linked site:

Money for College?
Why do 65% of recruits who pay the required $1200 into the Montgomery GI Bill never get a dime in return?
Discipline?

[[This IS true, but the answer is because the DoD allows colleges to make the process unbearably difficult. I got all my 36K but I had to pry every dollar due similarly JEALOUS civilians

How does getting yelled at and ordered around provide self-discipline?

[[follow before you lead. yell? To effect immediate response to orders. Only bad leaders and good leaders speaking to bad Marines need to yell]]

Opportunity?
The opportunity to be harassed? Discriminated against? Kicked out or prosecuted for having sex? Why do people of color represent 1/3 of all enlisted personnel but only 1/8 of the officers?

Gag. Liberal feminists. Men are the most harassed segment of the military. Women get promoted on lower standards, more pay. Kicked out or prosecuted for having sex? This is my personal favorite for I am THE ONLY MARINE in the history of the Corps to be kicked out for for having sex and having sex alone (hetero that is). There are 140K Marines. The chances are slim, about as slim as steveatx’s chances of ever having it.

Adventure?
Does dropping bombs on kids really sound like fun? How about killing or dying for oil?

Nalpam bombs and little kids, burns them up like little twigs......

Children are never deliberately targeted by the US and to insinuate otherwise is wrong. Collateral damage. War is hell. Accidents happen. dont live near a insurgent cell, etc.

(The deliberate killing of innocent children is WRONG) Two unsanctioned and isolated incidents by criminals in 230 years of operations hardy qualifies. This from the executive director of a non-p that’s mission is the eradication of child soilders…..

Steveatx: Quit hating yourself (shortcomings) and those that ensure you aren’t beating up daily by militant kindergarteners

[steveatx]

All you need to know about military brainwashing can be learned by reading the posts on this forum by former enlistees. Comments like "bravo males" show you how the service makes you more immature/dependent, for example.

[marine]

Its a simple equation.

There are those of us who can and do. and those who cant.

Its your choice.

Bravo Male was a promotion.

pull your own (sizeable) weight. Quit hiding in the freedom and security men much more substansive than yourself provide.

[steveatx]

The last time we fought for anyone's freedom was back in the 40's.