What's the likelyhood son can enlist in Marines?

Question

Always felt the military was were my son needed to be the structure, the challenges both mentally and physically, a little extreme, the brotherhood and comradery. Out of HS he tries to be like all the other spoiled college brats (by the way we are not paying for school) running around like an a*****e. gets and MIP violates it 3 times. A year later a Disorderly conduct and another MIP. He has seen the light and wants to join marines. How do these offenses add up? and would he still be eligible? On the first MIP he also gots sentences to alcohol rehab does inpatient or outpatient rehab make a difference?. We support him but think we may be getting our hopes up for nothing. He's not stupid, 3.0 GPA, 90 on asvab test, has worked the same job full time job for 3 years. Can he enlist with a record like that or is the recruiter pumping sunshine?

Answer 1

The Marines have pretty high standards for their recruits.  You really need to sit down with a Marine Corps recruiter and go over this.  At a minimum he's going to need a waiver.

Answer 2

Sounds like a typical teenager trying to figure things out and getting in a little trouble along the way.  The Marine Recruiters in my area are very upfront and honest.  I get along very well with them and they do not waste time with someone if there is no need to.  However there are some that are a bit inexperienced and until your sons entire record is shown they can't know for sure.  I would go up to the office with his own background check and ask if is qualified to enlist.  He will tell him at that point if he can.  Don't be afraid to ask for what you want.  We are able to do some things and some things we are not.  The only way you guys will know is to seek it out and get a solid answer.

Hope this helps and if it doesn't work out for him and the USMC do go and check out the Army and bring the same information.  They will also tell you the real deal or not.

Answer 3

Marines have the highest standards, there is a reason they are the smallest branch. I think that recruiter is just trying to make a sale because he doesn't get in trouble if things bubble up from the past, your son does. Like the other person said, he'll need a waiver for those MIPs and other charges. Be careful and get everything written down and signed. Don't take oral promises.  

Answer 4

Has he graduated?  Finish what he started first.  Then he needs a year or so clean and sober and no offenses.

Can he pass the drug test?

Answer 5

Misdemeanor offenses not involving violence, inappropriate sexual activity, or arson are typically waived, so it shouldn't be a problem, so long as he's off probation and SUCCESSFULLY completed probation, including paying his fines/fees, completing whatever program he had to complete, and whatever other tasks probation required.

Don't volunteer the information about rehab unless asked... that's just not something they have to know.  The form they have probation complete simply says, what was the date of the offense, what kind of offense was it, what day did he get sentenced, what type of probation, what were the conditions of probation, did he successfully complete those conditions?

Also... a recruiter's not going to waste his time on an enlistment that's not going to go anywhere.  If he says they can get waived, then they can. Recruiters are way too busy trying to get legitimate enlistments off the ground to spend time with one they know won't work from the start.

Best of luck to you and your son!