I talked to an army recruiter the other day and I told him my situation basically I'll be graduating soon with a B.S in Econ, and early on in my life, I was charged with a felony dealing cocaine, that charged was dismissed and I plead to a possession which is now a misdemeanor. The told the army recruiter I was interested in OCS, and I was expected to be told that it wasn't possible since I had a misdemeanor, but he said he could "work with that" is he bulling me trying to get me in, if so why the hect is he trying to get me to come in and talk to him if he know I can't join?
2007-12-29 08:51:54 · 26 answers · asked by night_taker_1999 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
I'm not interested in enlisted, as it does me know good. I'm interested in the unmatched leadership experience of being an officer, if they can't offer me that, then I can get a civilian job(with double the pay)
2008-01-02 07:57:06 · update #1
Also I don't see why in the hell a charge matters, the prosecutor can trump up any charge that damn well please, it the conviction that counts. Anybody with drugs can be charged with dealing, the prosecutor has to prove you dealt, the conviction is a misdemeanor.
2008-01-02 07:59:36 · update #2
Army recruiters will sometimes use whatever means possible to get someone to sign the dotted line. If that means lying on your application and history, they will actually encourage it! They're logic of recruitment is usually, "Don't ask don't tell." Use common sense though, and check if OCS requirements do background checks if that is truly your goal. Don't take his word for it, because you start your training as a "private", and if the OCS thing doesn't work out, guess what? You're in the army as a worthless maggot private!
2007-12-29 08:58:01 · answer #1 · answered by Psylence 4 · 2⤊ 4⤋
You are what is referred to as "Broke" Recruiters wont generally tell someone right away because most broke people have friends that arnt broke. As far as the Army is concerned you are a felon. Because drug laws vary so much across the country to make it fair nation wide all drug charges are treated as a felony. You are not enlisting into OCS. In my day's recruiting 1997-2000 you wouldnt get a waiver. The recruiter will still look at you many people dont know there own police records. I have had kids tell me they got arrested for breaking into a store (breaking and entering a felony) but when I run the police report it says Criminal tresspass. So if you asked me the same thing I would have said something similar. For a couple reasons to get you into a private setting so we can talk about your personal issues without a bunch of people around., I would get a release signed so I could see your police record to get the specific charges. And then offer you what was possible. If your criminal info is correct and you have no other charges you might get a waiver to enlist. But you wont be going to OCS or into any other job that requires a security clearance. Google AR 601-210 that's the regulation it will spell out excactly what can be waived and what cant.
2007-12-29 11:17:48 · answer #2 · answered by sfcjoe4d 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Army really needs recruites. A friend of mine is former Army and he said every once in awhile the Army will call him asking him to come back and train to be an officer. If he said he can work with that then he is going to get on the phone with people and see about getting you a waiver. If he wants to talk with you go with it. Worst case scenario you don't get accepted to OCS and you get a civilian job... but it would be even worse if you gave up now and didn't try. If you feel as though you are officer material and don't make it... if he says well you can go in enlisted and you will be an E-4 and later you can try for a commission... don't take it unless you really just want to be in the Army, and wouldn't mind being enlisted and possibly never being an officer.
2007-12-29 09:14:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Whey you say 'early in life' do you mean before you were 18?
Then it is completely possible -- I would go so far as to say likely -- that they will just seal it up and pretend it never happened.
But all that aside, yes, your recruiter has very likely lied to you about many things. As a group the make used car salespeople look honest and ethical.
Your best option is to get OCS written into your contract, do not try to go enlisted and then assume that you will get it later. Make that recruiter work for you. If you want a commission, get it up front and IN WRITING.
2007-12-29 10:39:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can get in.. you may just need to go through a waiver process to get in though. Not a real hard process especially since it is a misdemeanor. My buddy had jail time and he went throught the waiver process and he has been in for 4 years and just started his second enlistment. You are not commiting to anything by going there and talking and you can also contact another recruiter after talking to him. If you don't trust everything he says...Recruiters are like used car salesman, they won't lie but they will not disclose all the facts unless you ask first...but there are some good honest ones also.....
2007-12-29 09:01:33 · answer #5 · answered by cyborg_2099 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I do not know specifically for OCS, but it can be worked with.
I have friend who did a lot of drugs as a teen-20's, joined and then went to OCS. He was honest about it and revealed his history. His checks took a long time, but he passed them.
The big things are that you are honest about your past and show that this is not a pattern. If you lie about, then they can't do much about it. They will find out if you lie because for OCS you have to get a secret clearence so you will get a background check, more then just the little police file check.
It is possible the recruiter can work with you on this.
2007-12-29 08:58:13 · answer #6 · answered by mnbvcxz52773 7 · 8⤊ 0⤋
He's bulling you. One of the requirements of being a military officer is that you cannot engage in moral turpitude. Sadly, a misdemeanor drug offense would disqualify you.
It sounds like he id trying to string you along, and when going the OCS route doesn't work, he will tell you that you can join as an enllisted person and try some of their enlisted commissioning programs.
Military recruiters are worse than used car salesmen.
2007-12-29 09:06:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
recruiters only get credit for someone they "hire on" after they get through all the military training required for the position they are going for. I don't think he/she would BS you like that. Just "getting someone to sign on the dotted line" doesn't mean anything until they have an actual position after the tech training. In fact, it can hurt the recruiter's future promotion chances if the trainee doesn't make it through boot camp...it reflects on their annual preformance report. See what the recruiter has to say on this. Be honest about your situation (they do security background investigations also). If you are still in doubt, ask for references.
2007-12-29 13:46:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm curious why you aren't going straight to OCS? Maybe the Army is different...In the Air Force, you can (and many people do) go straight to OTS (Officer Training School) without ever serving as enlisted.
2007-12-29 10:36:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You weren't convicted of a felony so I'd say you could go in with the misdemeanor. You can talk with recruiters on-line at http://www.goarmy.com/flindex.jsp Get a 2nd opinion.
2007-12-29 08:57:17 · answer #10 · answered by 19G30 5 · 6⤊ 0⤋