OTH discharge

[dmabeling]

I have recently been discharged with an OTH for Fraternization. Basically befriending someone of lower rank. it was not a administrative discharge. I have an excellent service record and served 14 years of honorable Naval Service. I have no other criminal issues on my record. I went to a courts martial and was found guilty of fraternization. I chose to get out and want to know if this restricts the option of being a police officer. I am currently seeking a criminal justice degree. Does anyone have the answer to this?

[Citicop]

Someone with better knowledge will be by soon, I'm sure, but here is my $0.02:

Most police departments I am aware of require an Honorable Discharge to employ a candidate in a sworn capacity.

There may be some who will overlook this, but even then you would have to beat out a lot of competition without that kind of blemish on their record.

I guess I am trying to say that I think your chances are slim at best. I would choose a new major.

-Citicop.

[retdetsgt]

You were found guilty of disobeying an order that has been common knowledge since the first militaries were formed. I would imagine that you were at least warned several times before they finally decided to take action and ignored the warnings.

I would look at another major. A court martial is considered a federal court and being found guilty in one, I suspect you will have more than an uphill battle.

[mcsap]

I guess you found out that they meant what they said ?


So would a PD want to hire someone who has a proven track record of disobeying orders ? Proven to the point that they were willing to throw away a 14 year military career ?


I can't say they won't hire you but you have a large mark on your record that just doesn't look good.

[BP348]

I agree with the other. I really hope you have a GREAT back up plan.

As far as the CJ degree goes I think I'd find a different major. Your chances of getting a job as a LEO is pretty slim with an Other then Honorable Discharge (I really hope it was worth it!!) so you'ed be better off choosing a major you can use that will pay the bills.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

An OTH discharge is a deal-breaker everywhere I've cared to research.

[retdetsgt]

I'm not ragging on you, but I'm not sure you see the ramifications of your actions. It's not just the conviction (which may be terminal in itself), but the actions leading up to it.

I've never understood why people think they can turn down an Article 15 and win a court martial. I've never seen it happen. My experience in the Army was that they had an air tight case or they wouldn't bother with it.

I think we all assume the fraternization was M-F. I have to admit that when I was in, there weren't many women in the military and they seemed to be kept away from me! But I came in the Army after one not too glorious year of college, was enlisted for two years and went to OCS. I was much more comfortable in a NCO club than with my peers in the Officer's and I'd much rather hang out with NCO's. In fact, I was taken by the nape of the neck by my CO at one point and told under no uncertain terms to knock it off. I did.

Later in the police department, I did work around a lot of women and I had women working for me. For a period of time, I was divorced and dating, but I knew better than to even think about seeing any women even in my whole division. And some were very attractive and I suspect we might have hit it off. But at some point, maturity and common sense has to kick in. Apparently, that didn't happen in your case and that will be scrutinized severely by any potential police agency.

And it's not like you were a 21 year old kid and made that decision. You were apparently over 30 years old and that looks really bad under any light.

[Legoate]

Expect any BI to not only want to see all of the records regarding your case, but to also go back and interview EVERYONE who was involved with the case.... your commanding officer, your coworkers, and the person you were convicted of fraternizing with.

And that is ONLY if the organization will take anything other than an honorable discharge to hire you, and I haven't see one that will.

[Kimble]

I have recently been discharged with an OTH for Fraternization. Basically befriending someone of lower rank. it was not a administrative discharge. I have an excellent service record and served 14 years of honorable Naval Service. I have no other criminal issues on my record. I went to a courts martial and was found guilty of fraternization. I chose to get out and want to know if this restricts the option of being a police officer. I am currently seeking a criminal justice degree. Does anyone have the answer to this?

The fact you went to a court-martial means your command recommended charging you criminally with fraternization, vice handling it internally via an Article 15/Non-judicial Punishment hearing. As retdetsgt said above, a military court-martial is a federal criminal court, which makes it a bit more serious than simply hanging out with the wrong person, as you know have a conviction on your criminal record.

I wouldn't be surprised if there was more to the story than what you're telling us, the only time I've seen fraternization go to a court-martial was when it was tacked on with other more serious charges.

[retdetsgt]

I wouldn't be surprised if there was more to the story than what you're telling us,.

+1 It just doesn't compute.

[BP348]

You guys have all noticed that he hasn't come back, right?

Gee I wonder why????

[mcsap]

Maybe he is out fraternizing ?