Military Discharge & Police Recruitment

[scottt0936]

When I was 18 yrs old (1998) I joined the Marines and had a change of heart during boot camp. Others advised me to inform the DI to say I would inflict self-harm to be released. Consequently I was released from boot camp under the classification “uncharacterized early separation.” Since that time I have gone on to graduate college and have had a successful career in the insurance industry.
I have an interest in becoming a police officer now, and I would like to know if my discharge would disqualify me for that position. I have never included this discharge on any applications and passed background checks with major corporations. I do not want to withhold any information but would like to know if this is something I need to disclose, or will even come up on a background check? Also, I have a copy of my discharge paper work and it is not very descriptive regarding the reason why I was released early… do I have to disclose the reason I used to be released. Is there any way I could have the documents expunged or changed to an honorable status? Thanks for your time and I appreciate your feedback.

[s_dee66]

I'm not qualified to answer any questions on the LEO front, but as far as getting your discharge changed to honorable, no chance.

[nadler20]

Just FYI, double posting isn't looked favorably upon. Everyone will see one post. ;)

[scottt0936]

It's my first time using this site... I wasn't aware

[Wolfman]

As for changing your DD-214 to Honorable - you really have no chance of that as stated above. An Honorable Discharge is just that, a discharge for Honorable Service - if you didn't complete your obligation that you signed up for due to your own decisions or manipulations of facts, then you didn't complete it.

As for how it will effect your chances - that's really up to your agency. I think I would be upfront with your contact in the agency if you think there is even the slightest chance that it could come out - if you lie about it, it will come back to haunt you. Also, lying in any instance during the application process will be an automatic DQ and in some cases can land you in serious trouble.

You said it was 10 years ago, so if nothing else you can explain your thought process then, and try to explain how you have matured since then, live up to your commitments, have shown follow through, etc.

If you said that you were going to hurt yourself, then some questions that others are able to just answer "no" for, you will have to put "yes" and explain. Whether this will hurt you or be overlooked will depend on your department.

[s_dee66]

Also, like I said earlier, I'm not qualified to answer LEO questions so I apologize if this is out of line, but in my opinion, you may have a hard time explaining why you told your DI you were going to inflict self-harm to get out the Corps just because other people told you to.

[scottt0936]

wolfman, thanks for your response it made a lot of sense. I think I can show exactly what you described

[bell4fan]

you didnt have a change of heart, you got the bootcamp blues, started feeling sorry for yourself and woosed out. Most police academies are at least as hard, and twice as long as Marine bootcamp. Hope you can handle it now.

[phillyfed]

Yes, most police academies are longer then USMC bootcamp in terms of weeks. However, being as physical or being 3 straight months without any real contact with the outside world, to include weekends. I don't think so. That includes the very paramilitary ones. The only difference is that academically the academies are definitely more difficult.

Wolfman- unfortunately I don't think it looks good for you. Basic criminal background checks for employment and an intensive background for LE employment are two different animals.

[Stub]

Most police academies are at least as hard, and twice as long as Marine bootcamp.

And you are qualified to make this statement based on being a graduate of MCRD PI or MCRD SD and more than one police academy, or did you overhear crazy Joey say this at Aunt Sally's party celebrating 50 years without a gallbladder?

I think anyone would be hard pressed to find a former Marine who would make such a statement.

[dinarguy]

And you are qualified to make this statement based on being a graduate of MCRD PI or MCRD SD and more than one police academy, or did you overhear crazy Joey say this at Aunt Sally's party celebrating 50 years without a gallbladder?

I think anyone would be hard pressed to find a former Marine who would make such a statement.

Agreed x 1000

[bell4fan]

I've had several Tx Troopers tell me that. I know there is a very small dropout rate at MCRD. I've done 8 yrs in th military, and I've seen some of the stuff that was sent to MCRD, and while they did graduate, you think to yourself, man, if they can make it........

Not minimizing what it means to be a Marine, because it is the hardest basic training of the 4. But police academies,(at least state, thats what i have most researched) are at least as hard as Marine bootcamp, but twice as long. And I've been told having the weekends off make it harder. Because at bootcamp, you know you aint going anywhere and its hard to quit. But at the state academies, you can go home on the weekends, meaning you have to be more mentally tough to make yourself go back to hell every Sunday night.

[O.C White]

I think I can give expert opinion on this subject :D

You listened to another recruit and decided you didn't want to be there, and your D.I's fell for it. Very obviously you were not serious about hurting yourself.

But how do you know now you have the intestinal fortitude to complete a police academy?

It is twice as long, and the academic's are three times as hard. P.T is no joke, but is is doable, but it is no joke especially at the Texas DPS academy.

Good luck with whatever you decide and stick it out this time. This is no 9-5 you applying for.

You will have a tremendous responsibility of protecting the public, and you will have the authority to "LEGALLY" take someone's privacy away.

So think about it long and hard.

[Stub]

I've had several Tx Troopers tell me that. I know there is a very small dropout rate at MCRD. I've done 8 yrs in th military, and I've seen some of the stuff that was sent to MCRD, and while they did graduate, you think to yourself, man, if they can make it........

Not minimizing what it means to be a Marine, because it is the hardest basic training of the 4. But police academies,(at least state, thats what i have most researched) are at least as hard as Marine bootcamp, but twice as long. And I've been told having the weekends off make it harder. Because at bootcamp, you know you aint going anywhere and its hard to quit. But at the state academies, you can go home on the weekends, meaning you have to be more mentally tough to make yourself go back to hell every Sunday night.

Oh, so you are not a Marine, nor a police academy graduate. Got it.

Rest assured, the attrition rate at a MCRD bears no reflection on the difficulty endured.

Most police academies are at least as hard, and twice as long as Marine bootcamp.

As a Marine, and multiple police academy grad, I disagree.

[Roger Dat]

I too had an entry level separation from the military. Took some time but I did everything I could to make myself more hireable. You will need to explain why exactly it is you left and why you feel you've changed to be able to handle the commitment of this job. Not an impossible hill to climb.

Good luck.