The last thing I wanted to do was ask this..

[drewsy64]

To skip the long, drawn out process, I'm going to cut right to it. Yes, I've searched, and yes I've read the threads. Also, yes, I know what everyone thinks about what I've done. I'm 25, college grad, have a poly the 27th, will be 100% honest on it, and have committed the cardinal sin, I used Ecstasy once, 7 years ago. Needless to say, I regret it, and needless to say, I cannot change that fact.

Fast forward a bit. If/when I get rejected from this process, I am thinking about not applying to other departments to save time and money for both parties. I'm thinking about enlisting in the Military and going to OCS. What I'm looking for here, is some advice on how to do it, and possibly what to do. I know I need to speak with a recruiter, but I'm looking for some real world experiences, and advice. Hopefully if I take this route, it may help them see that I HAVE matured since my 'youth'. I know many of you have gone through the military, and I was hoping for some insight from the ones who have gone before me. Post it here, PM me, I don't care.

Also, joining the Military isn't a way out for me by any means. I have thought about it for quite some time, and I would be PROUD to serve for what I have taken for granted. So please, don't think that I'm doing this for the wrong reasons. I'm just hoping that in addition to serving a bigger cause, and fighting for what I believe in, I can show some more maturity to those reviewing my past.

If you choose to flame me for this, or give me bad reps, fine, I deserve it for this post alone, not to mention the things I have done in my past. I know, in my heart, that this is what I want to do, and what I am here to do. Unfortunately for me, I didn't find this out until I came to college.

Sorry this is so long, but thank you for whatever advice and or criticism you may have for me.

Good luck, and Stay Safe,

Drewsy64

[drewsy64]

One more thing, I don't want it to sound like others when I say I didn't find out what I wanted to do until too late. I wanted to work for NASA, but I failed Math in college. Went on a ride along with a LEO for an assignment for a Sociology class, and fell in love. This was five years after my encounter with the drugs. Anyway, long, probably overseen story, but regardless, I have a poly in the Morning, so I'm off to bed.

[Roger Dat]

Drug use wasnt asked about during your oral interview? If it was and your DQ'ed best bet is probably military because it will show you lied in your interview and thats a BIG no no. Either way all you can do is try.

[drewsy64]

No, didn't lie about anything. Today, at 11am, I have my initial interview, followed by my polygraph at noon. At no point have I lied, or will I lie.

[Sierra]

If you get rejected by your department for the narcotic use, perhaps it would be a good idea to call the hiring units of various agencies and see what department policy is. Sorry, I have no real idea on what is a disqualifying use. However, the departments do and that should help you focus on a department you would qualify for. I believe the certifying authority (POST) for your state would have general guidelines, if not THE GUIDELINES, concerning narcotic use as well.

As far as being flamed for the use, other than a few reactionary people who can be discounted, I do not believe that will be an issue. You did not advocate the use of narcotics, nor did you attempt to justify (at least in my view) your use. In essence, don't sweat the reaction from here.

Good luck on your poly.

[drewsy64]

Just got back from the Poly, man, it wasn't as bad as I originally thought. I was %100 honest with them, and they said not to worry about it, that if it was a one time thing, and hasn't been in 7 years, that I'm good. The BI and the Polygraph expert were awesome and nice. Polygrapher said I had a 'small problem' with the theft question, and I haven't stolen anything since I was 12) and that he wasn't worried about it at all. He said he's going to recommend me to continue with the BI, and the BI is going to call me this week or next to set up the home interview. The class starts in December, so he said they're going to try and get me into it. I'm very excited about this, and can only hope that I can continue and be in the academy in two short months.

[prowlassignment]

It's such a relief when you get assigned an awesome investigator

If the guy is awesome and they're saying they going to fast forward things to get you in then it sounds like you're in

Good luck



Wish it was that easy and they were as nice over in Illinois

[BP348]

Just got back from the Poly, man, it wasn't as bad as I originally thought. I was %100 honest with them, and they said not to worry about it, that if it was a one time thing, and hasn't been in 7 years, that I'm good. The BI and the Polygraph expert were awesome and nice. Polygrapher said I had a 'small problem' with the theft question, and I haven't stolen anything since I was 12) and that he wasn't worried about it at all. He said he's going to recommend me to continue with the BI, and the BI is going to call me this week or next to set up the home interview. The class starts in December, so he said they're going to try and get me into it. I'm very excited about this, and can only hope that I can continue and be in the academy in two short months.

Glad it worked out. Good luck on the rest of the BI

[Valor55]

If the guy is awesome and they're saying they going to fast forward things to get you in then it sounds like you're in

FYI this guy is an idiot. Note the ban.

You may be continuing in the process but you are going to be competing for a position against people who haven't used drugs. Just because they continue with the process does not mean you are "in."

Good luck.

[drewsy64]

Yes, I realize that. I was just excited to get the Poly over with, and learn that I was not DQ'd. I understand that I still have a LONG way to go, and it's all going to be uphill. By the way, still hoping for a few insights for OCS and the Military.

Thanks, all.

[DetSarg1]

I would contend that the fact that the BI has said they will continue the process is a GREAT sign. I don’t know about Ohio but it has been my experience, at least in Florida, that an agency does not spend the time, effort and money on continuing a background investigation and the hiring process unless they are pretty sure they want to hire you.

Just a side note, I always regretted not attempting to get a commission in the military after college. In retrospect and as much as I love being a detective, I wish I had done 20 in the military and then went into law enforcement. Hell, I could have been retired as an officer at around 43. I know to some that sounds elderly, but since I’m almost there, I could see starting in LE at this age after a nice military career.

Anyway, best of luck to you.

[Aota]

Yes, I realize that. I was just excited to get the Poly over with, and learn that I was not DQ'd. I understand that I still have a LONG way to go, and it's all going to be uphill. By the way, still hoping for a few insights for OCS and the Military.

Thanks, all.

Let me try and help with the OCS thing, as I was an Army OCS officer. You have a bachelor's degree, meaning you'll enlist (yes, enlist) as a College Option. The implied task is to visit a recruiter. I was active duty enlisted (not a College Op) when I applied, so you'll get the best info from a recruiter. But you basically construct a very detailed application packet consisting of many different forms, a color photo, and a handwritten letter of intent. The packet is a huge pain in the *** and just completing it correctly and on time will feel like a personal victory. Recruiter will have full details. He might even hold your hand throughout the whole application process which would be a plus.

Once you're accepted, you attend Basic Training, usually at Fort Benning, GA and upon graduation you will go to OCS, also at Benning. You won't have to go to Advanced Individual Training (AIT) like a regular enlisted soldier. OCS is a 14 week course that is very physically demanding, but is easy academically. It is strictly a leadership school, as you will almost certainly be a platoon leader after you are commissioned. The written tests are a joke, but the field-based scenarios are pretty tough.

You'll do PT twice daily, march everywhere you go, and will have little to no contact with your family besides letters for about the first 8-10 weeks. There is a procedure for everything you do, including how to carry your tray in the mess hall, how the items on the tray must be arranged when you're done eating, how to walk down a hallway, and how you go to bed each night. There is a silly demerit system called PARK points (acronym that I forget), and you tally up your PARK points for each infraction on your PARK card. If you get enough points the discipline could be a marching tour (marching in right angles around the front lawn to the beat of a drum) or you could lose one of your few overnight passes. Yes, there are many mindless tasks involved, but it becomes funny after a while. While in OCS College Ops are paid at the rate of Sergeant (E-5).

I should probably be PMing all this so I'll stop here and just say that OCS is a pretty intense 14 weeks, but you would be amazed by what you can adapt to.

[DetSarg1]

I should probably be PMing all this so I'll stop here and just say that OCS is a pretty intense 14 weeks, but you would be amazed by what you can adapt to.

Actually I am glad you put it in the forum instead of a PM. I think its very interesting. Thanks.

[Sierra]

Sorry, but my experience is as an Navy enlisted man. I will give my advice however, and you can take it for the electrons it is worth.

RE: your degree. I have no idea what you majored in, and that could be very important in deciding both the Service you go into and what you do in said Service. The Navy has certain fields it loves for particular areas. With an engineering or nuclear technology degree, your options are wide open: we draw quite heavily off those fields for line officers (read, commanding officers). For other degrees, a Bachelor may be the next thing to useless. We have no real need for English majors and they are likely to end up in the Intelligence or Quartermaster fields, if used at all. A law degree will likely put you into JAG, not a line officer, but still a good place to be.

I cannot answer authoratively for the others, but the Army might be able to place you in more fields with various degrees. Possibilities include infantry, armour, and the like.

There are several officer programs available. As you are 25, you will qualify for a great deal of them. Obviously, if you already have a Bachelor, ROTC is probably not going to be the best option. OCS and Direct Commission programs are, as well as some programs that will pay you as an officer to go to graduate school. Best option is to talk to an officer recruiter in your area. They can better tell you what you can and can not do and perhaps come up with options I am not aware of.

Additionally, you may decide that there are more benefits to being enlisted. Some Services will bring you in at an accelerated rate/rank. Just something to consider.

Joining the Service is a big step. There are plenty of rewards for doing so, but it has a cost, as well. Make sure you are willing to make the committment necessary to succeed. If you have any doubts about your committment or your ability to perform your duties, don't do it. You owe it to yourself and to the men, such as me, that you will command. Deciding to become a conscientious objector when you get your orders to deploy is both stupid and costly in time and confidence lost.

Perhaps an option to explore would be a Reserve or Guard unit. Reserves are federal troops, Guard are state. Both have an equal chance of deployment. Guard units get free in-state tuition, Reserves get a GI Bill. Officer benefits may be different, I don't know. But if you are considering continuing your education, that might be something to look into. I suggest this not to dissuade you, but to ease you into something that you are unsure of. If you really like it, you can always go active duty later.

PM me if I can help you further.

[Aota]

Drewsy, this link was invaluable to me while I was preparing for OCS. The Battalion Commander will sometimes jump on the forum and answer questions. Oh yeah, in my previous post I forgot to talk about the most important part of the application process: The Structured Interview. Commonly refered to as an oral board. Sound familiar?

http://www.armyocs.com/portal/index.php