I have a friend who has earned a bachelor's degree with a 3.9 GPA and is currently in graduate school for Sociology. When he graduates in 2 years he wants to apply to Marine OCS but he has a few problems. The first problem is that he never graduated high school or earned a GED. The second problem is that back when he was in high school he got in some big time trouble for threatening one of his high school teachers. He didn't get arrested and no charges were filed but he did end up having to go to some kind of a mental hospital for a few days and I believe he got prescribed Paxil which he went off of after less than a year and has remained off of. This all happened about 13 years ago and since this time he has been nothing but a solid citizen (as least as far as I know).

Anyway, with all this said, do you guys think he has any chance of getting a waiver for these issues. Is not having a high school diploma going to be a problem since he does have a bachelor's degree and is getting an advanced degree.

I appreciate any answers you guys may have to this inquiry.

If he were to apply today, probably not as waivers are far and few in between. The recruiting climate for both enlistment and commissioning is way up: no shortage of applicants especially ones with little or no issues.

The number of waivers and/or the reasons why you need one affects whether they move forward with a waiver request or not.

Who knows, maybe two years from now, that will all change.

But threatening a teacher and getting hospitalized for it will not look good to the waiver authority these days.

I wrote the majority of waivers for 12th Marine Corps District Officer Selection during 2009-2010, I know what will fly and what won't. The bachelors degree will negate not having a traditional high school diploma; however, threatening a high school official goes into your records as terroristic threats which as you can imagine doesn't get good reviews. Additionally, having spent time in a mental ward of a hospital also raises a red flag because officers work in high stress environments making difficult decisions for their Marines. That being said, a selection board would more than likely view that as not having the right stuff to deal with high stress situations.

And as SgtLtUSMC said; we don't have a shortage on non-waiver requiring applicants. Pretty much if you aren't ready to go to OCS or Boot Camp when you walk in the door; no-waivers required, then chances are pretty slim.

However, as is always the case, the only true way to find out is to go to your local Marine recruiter of Officer Selection Officer. Good luck.

Sgt. D

Hey guys, thank you so much for the answers. I had a feeling his chances were grim. I do think it is kind of sad though to a hold this mistake against him though since it was so long ago and since he has been solid ever since. I mean, I'm sure there have been people who have been able to get waivers for actually assaulting people and so I think it is a little odd that he can't get a waiver for merely threatening to assault.

I do also recognize that going to a psych ward would make it appear that he can't handle the stress, but, to be fair, he has been in college and grad school and he's been able to manage the stress in those arenas as far as I can tell so that should at least support the idea that he is different and that he can indeed handle stress.

With all of that said though, I realize there are plenty of interested people out there with no bad history so like I said, I can understand why his chances are grim, I just think it's a little sad.

Thanks again for the answers.

quote:

Originally posted by hunter2621:
I mean, I'm sure there have been people who have been able to get waivers for actually assaulting people and so I think it is a little odd that he can't get a waiver for merely threatening to assault.

Nope! That's where you're wrong. We don't grant waivers to applicants with a violent histroy of assault or terrorist threats. You say its odd as if its a bad thing. Dude... we don't live on some fantasy land.

quote:

I do also recognize that going to a psych ward would make it appear that he can't handle the stress, but, to be fair, he has been in college and grad school and he's been able to manage the stress in those arenas as far as I can tell so that should at least support the idea that he is different and that he can indeed handle stress.

Don't confuse school stress with stress Marines face. Nobody is trying to kill your friend with IED's, RPG's, mortars, or small arms fire.

quote:

Originally posted by hunter2621:
I do think it is kind of sad though to a hold this mistake against him though since it was so long ago and since he has been solid ever since.

Serving in the military is a PRIVILEGE and privileges ARE EARNED. All it takes is one eff-up to kiss them all good bye.

quote:

I mean, I'm sure there have been people who have been able to get waivers for actually assaulting people and so I think it is a little odd that he can't get a waiver for merely threatening to assault.

Waivers are offered for other things, not assault.

quote:

I do also recognize that going to a psych ward would make it appear that he can't handle the stress, but, to be fair, he has been in college and grad school and he's been able to manage the stress in those arenas as far as I can tell so that should at least support the idea that he is different and that he can indeed handle stress.

There were people who were smarter than me (meaning they had advanced degrees and/or other accolades) who washed out of our Officer Candidates' School class and also others who couldn't handle being an officer.

Sure, college can be a stressful place, but it don't mean it can prepare you for the responsibilities of being an officer in the United States Military.

quote:

I realize there are plenty of interested people out there with no bad history so like I said, I can understand why his chances are grim, I just think it's a little sad.

What's sad is people like your friend more than disrespected authority.

I will take it on good faith that he has changed and been reformed. But as I said, all it takes is one eff-up to end it all. He chances today will not be good, and it remains to be seen if the USMC OCS selection board will ever waive that one episode.

Again, military service is a privilge, it's not a right.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SgtLtUSMC,

I almost got a tear in my eye for the heartfelt defense. Fact is, your friend has a past history that the Marine Corps will frown upon. And when it boils down, the Marines aren't for everybody, and everybody can't be a Marine. We don't sugar coat that fact and are damn proud of it. It doesn't mean your friend is not a good person with good intentions; it just means he won't be a Marine Officer. Best of luck.

Sgt D.

quote:

Originally posted by Echo5iveDelta:
I wrote the majority of waivers for 12th Marine Corps District Officer Selection during 2009-2010, I know what will fly and what won't. The bachelors degree will negate not having a traditional high school diploma; however, threatening a high school official goes into your records as terroristic threats which as you can imagine doesn't get good reviews. Additionally, having spent time in a mental ward of a hospital also raises a red flag because officers work in high stress environments making difficult decisions for their Marines. That being said, a selection board would more than likely view that as not having the right stuff to deal with high stress situations.

And as SgtLtUSMC said; we don't have a shortage on non-waiver requiring applicants. Pretty much if you aren't ready to go to OCS or Boot Camp when you walk in the door; no-waivers required, then chances are pretty slim.

However, as is always the case, the only true way to find out is to go to your local Marine recruiter of Officer Selection Officer. Good luck.

Sgt. D

Good Day Sir,

I read a post indicating that you have first hand experience with waivers and was hoping when time permits if you could answer a few questions. First let me tell you a bit about myself, hopefully it will allow you to respond with solid advice and answers.

I have spoken with two recruiters from different recruiting stations about joining the reserve. My initial screening process worked out well until the recruiter measured my half sleeve from my bicep to my shoulder. The tattoo is not offensive in any way toward anyone, or anything (just a design of wires and cables, vague design); however the ink exceeded the tattoo policy which I am well aware of now.

The second recruiter that I spoke with said I may have a chance, though not promised, if I removed the tattoo with laser surgery. I have since endured two treatments and the tattoo is starting to fade. I have 5-7 more treatments until 99% of the ink is gone, my only concern now is my age. I turn age 29 3/1/2011, and I have read that age waivers are ONLY granted on a case by case basis.

Do you know what the odds are of having my age waived at 29? Also, is there any chance I could be granted a waiver and ship to boot camp after age 29? I was told that potential reservist ship occasionally after their 29th birthday.

A couple more details that may help answer my question:

No criminal record, no DUI's or (traffic violations in the past 5-6 yrs) etc.
No injuries that would affect my entry.
Can run 8 miles non stop till this very day(no big deal just thought I'd add it).
Get up at 0445 hrs for work 5-6 days a week.
10 pull up's, 300 crunches, 3 miles in 24 minutes. (need to improve).

Any feedback would be appreciated Sir, thank you.

James

James... I see that this is your first time posting. It is advisable that you do not hijack another individuals thread, and that you start a new one.

Copy that, I stand corrected.