Joining the royal marines with criminal convictions?

Question

i really want to join the royal marines and have wanted to for a while now, unfortunately i have a few serious criminal convictions. i have previously applied and was told i would have to wait 10 years before i could join, which really pissed me off. i have been out of prison and clean of any criminal involvement for 2 years. I am at a great fitness level and know i could easuly pass the entry requirements on the physical side of things, and i have adequate qualifications to join as an officer if i so chose (although i am only trying to apply as a normal marine). i really want to join the royal marines, to push myself to be the best i can be, and was wondering if anyone had any advice on what i could do to get a chance to prove myself ? maybe write a letter to someone or something?

i would really appreciate any ideas/advice.

thanks

Answer 1

Your going to have a hard enough time being accepted when the ten years are up.....What would ever make you think you would qualify as an offer if you wanted.....? You wouldnt be able too!

Anyways, the only advice anyone can give you would have had to been before your felony convictions/prision time.

Answer 2

sorry mate, you messed up and you have to live with the consequences now.

Answer 3

Well, I mean it really depends on the convictions. There are different categories for different convictions. To put it clearly, having a petty theft charge is borderline disqualifying. You could try writing someone in your government to try to get the charges dropped or something, but it all depends on what you mean by "serious convictions".  With the recruiter saying 10 years...I would expect it to be a difficult road for you.

Answer 4

It's never easy to get in once you've had a custodial sentence of over 6 months (I'm guessing). It's not quite as simple as a 10 years await. It really depends on what you were convicted of, how many convictions you've had etc. The best thing to do is get a copy of your criminal record from the police and take it into your nearest AFCO. They will then be able to give you a full briefing on what your chance's are of getting in earlier.

Hope this gives you some hope and if you really want it then keep going and it will get sorted somehow.