Im sure ill get plenty of well-deserved criticism for my actions but here goes...

I enlisted on june 6th, 2006 at 20 years old, I had been to community college, gotten engaged to my HS sweetheard (who WAS 100% supportive of me), passed classes and was about 20 hrs from getting an associate's degree. I began thinking about the Marine Corps. I had a decent job for my age at a stock brokerage in Dallas, TX. But my projected path in life at that point just didnt seem fulfilling. I was a frequent pot-smoker and had been since high school. I went to my recruiter and told him this...he said I had two options, drink bleach (1 cap full in one liter of water) or he would go buy a cleaning agent (omni) for me to pass the drug test at MEPS (2 other prospects did this as well) I had quit about 2 wks before going to visit him, and began running and drinking TONS of water so I got myself clean. Ok, so my slated ship-date was jan. 2nd, 2007.

I smoked a few times while in the DEP, thinking that I had plenty of time to get clean (trust me I know it was stupid and have since payed the consequences) Around Oct 1st was the last time I had smoked, I went to my recruiter and told him I would like to get an earlier ship date if possible, and also told him that I had smoked...he called me a wk later and said he had an Oct. 23 ship availability. I went to see him and he went through about 2 wks of buying at-hm drug tests and I drank bleach 3 times trying to get my system clean (stupid, I know). At the hotel the night before I shipped I insisted on taking another drug test just to be sure. I took it and the control line was solid, the pass line was there but was noticeably faded...I told him that I wanted to wait so that I wouldnt chance it. He insisted that it was ok and that I shouldnt worry about it.

So I went to boot camp and was squad-leader for most of the 3 wks that I was in training, when I was informed that I was a drug pop...I was general discharged with fraudulent enlistment and SEP'd out.

I would like to point out that I know that what I did was stupid and it was 100% my fault...whatever.

I was d/c'd around Nov. 11th, 2006 and was contacted by another recruiter recently and told him my story...I also asked him about a 6-month re-enlistment waiver that I had heard about. He said that there was no chance of me getting in until 2 years from my SEP date.

I was completely gung ho about it, my MOS was going to be 03xx, I trained, got in shape, ace'd my IST at MCRD SD. The reason I joined was for action, brotherhood, to feel like I was a part of something, sense of accomplishment, serve my country, all that good stuff, so maybe you can understand me when I say that it feels like there is a hole in my soul/heart. The thought of that has pretty much consumed 50% of my day since then. If I dont re-enlist im sure that the thought/regret will haunt me for the rest of my life. Which brings me to my dilemma...

Since being discharged I have completed my associate's degree in drafting, and have been working in the industry making good money (> $70k/yr). For awhile, I couldnt see myself re-enlisting and leaving this behind. I bought a house with my fiance and settled in. The thought has been there, but the will to go back hasnt been dominant, until the last month.

Now every day ive been thinking about whether or not to go back, if it would be even financially possible (w/ my house and associated responsibilities here in Houston), whether I should go to the reserves, or active duty, etc...and to top it off, my family is no longer supportive, including my fiance (she doesnt even want to hear about it), they are totally against the idea, but understand my feelings of failure and need for self-redemption.

Another thing is...if I went I would want to go 03xx again...after all, that is what it was all about for me. People think im crazy to be thinking about leaving my job and everything to go BACK to the military, especially the Marines...I just feel kind of lost and dont know what to do or if is even possible...is it a 100% fact that I cant go back in for 2 years? Are there any other stories similar to mine? if so, did they go back and are they happy with their decision. As for the reserve/active topic...I know there is an AAV unit in Houston, but from my inpression, the reserves these days are really like active duty units b/c they are always getting deployed...and if thats the case...i'd rather go active...and im sure there are no 03xx reserve MOS's at least in my area if any at all...

Excuse me if this post seems like a really long unnecessary rant, but Im just trying to make the right decision for myself here and possibly redeeming myself without regretting it...

Stand By!

I'll be over ------------> here watching.

Semper Fi

Johnny Blaze

quote:

Since being discharged I have completed my associate's degree in drafting, and have been working in the industry making good money (> $70k/yr

it would appear that you make far better money a dope smoking Draftsman.....stick with that....the Corps doesent need you....

Regarding who's at fault, I think you have to own 100% of why you were discharged. As far as what to do now, I'd say you should stay put, march on in your civilian career, and live and learn.

how do you attach a pic in your reply's and posts?

I figured thats what most of you guys would say...and I do own 100% of the responsibility and accept it...which is why I feel I owe it to myself to try to correct it

p.s. for the record Ive learned my lesson with drugs, not that it makes a difference now...

I don't doubt that you have learned. And I respect that you own it and want to be a Marine. You sound like you're earnest in your remorse and desire to move on. The past can't be changed, and I'm not sure it can be overcome n this instance; that's a question only a good recruiter can answer, and it sounds like they did. They let you ship, and unfortunately, your indiscretion was too recent to that ship date, and you tested positive. That's not something they can overlook at MCRD, regardless of earnest and regrettfull a recruit is.

Semper Fi

Johnny Blaze

quote:

Originally posted by 10731460:
I was completely gung ho about it, my MOS was going to be 03xx, I trained, got in shape, ace'd my IST at MCRD SD. The reason I joined was for action, brotherhood, to feel like I was a part of something, sense of accomplishment, serve my country, all that good stuff, so maybe you can understand me when I say that it feels like there is a hole in my soul/heart....

Man, you're the THIRD person that I've read about in less than two days that said somewhere along the lines, "I've always wanted this" but decided to do something stupid that will keep you from doing the things you want!

Now you know the sayings that, "Drugs are stupid" or "Don't do drugs" wasn't full of it, don't you?

My advice is try the Army, they offer a lot of waivers nowadays. And if the AD Army don't take you, then the Guard might (which has the most waivers of all branches and components).

I'm not saying that to put you or the Army down, but it's about trust and you've already blown the trust of the Marine Corps. It would be a hard sell trying to get back in (esepcially since you've already admitted to smoking for awhile).

But standby for a backup plan if the (any) military says no to you.

Well, it is not like you where not warned. So if we give a pass on these do we need to go back and give others who did not pass over the years a do over? We all screw up, Lord knows I have but you can't turn your head to look the other and be consistant....

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

quote:

Originally posted by GyJDIrwin:


Semper Fi

Johnny Blaze

JD....do you remember the movie a few years back called stand by me....where the guys hike up the train tracks to find a dead body...

there is a scene where the kid tells a story about a guy named lard a s s......

long story short....

the guy throws up at a pie eating contest....and he says this guy...lard as s just sat back and watched what he had created....

that is what your post reminds me of......

good one Bro !

Dave

When PMO at El Toro had ****ups they'd always stick em in the armory to work. WTF? yeah lets stick em behind the cage with ALL the weapons. I think some zero came up with that plan. Probably the real reason they closed El Toro.

ok bashing aside...I know I can be considered at least again in two years but if anyone knows the true answer to this let me know...when I was in SEPS in MCRD SD they told us there was a 6 month waiver you could get...but ive heard thats not true. Its not like there arent TONS of Marines in the fleet right now that did exactly what I did and got away with it...all that aside...I know there is a chance I can get back in, when can I start pursuing that opportunity

Honestly man, I don't think the real answer to your question is in here.

Brent,
You've got mail...

I do? where?

Lol...I'm not sure on that! I send you a message through your profile. It should go to the email address you have designated.

try bmgilley35@aol.com


am I in trouble again?

I'll try that. I don't think you're in trouble!