Hello there. A few questions for u guys; I hope you can help. (I have posted this to another discussion in this section - but i realized it might not get noticed under the title 37f's and 92m's. . . sorry)

I am very seriously considering joining the army with no specific occupation in mind. I think I am most interested in being a linguist or in psyops. As a linguist I would most like to learn chinese (i haven't taken the asvab or language test yet, but I am confident of my aptitude for these things). But arabic also might be acceptable to me. If I were to choose chinese, would I likely be deployed in Iraq as infantry anyways? When would my new language come into play?

I was told by my recruiter he sees a very small percentage of people get into psyops. I am an undergraduate psych major with about 20 hours, and I would love the opportunity for that position. Are my chances of getting in based solely on test scores?

I also have a ticket for Drug Paraphanelia ( class c misdemeanor ) that is going to court in about 10 months. If I am found guilty, will any positions become unavailable to me? If I can still do the job I want to do - I'd rather admit guilt and wait the 6 months required for having such infraction; rather than go to court in 10 months, be found guilty, THEN wait another 6 months before I can enlist. But then again - I'm not positive of the job I'd like to do in the first place. Any advice?

hmmmm, lets see, psych major, drug user, wants to learn chinese....and wants to join the military? Have I covered the field here?

As you indicated above, that you plan to plead guilty, this means to me that you have a drug problem. The real question is, what are you doing about the drug problem NOW?

You must show something more positive, in that you are:
1) taking appropriate proactive action
2) documenting such proactive action, well before appearing before a judge

Do the above and show the court that you have kicked the drug problem without having the court mandate it for you, and the judge will very likely dismiss the entire charge! (who knows? could happen! stranger things have happened!)

Take charge of your life, rather than have the system take charge for you.

You want to become a respected member of the community, then YOU HAVE to take the steps to do so. Simply joining the military will not accomplish it for you.

thank you for your quick response, gunny. however; I am still left with many of my original qestions.

the drugs are NOT a problem - I have already quit. my problem, now, is the drug CHARGE. if it will present a major obstacle to any military position I am looking at - I will just have to wait for court and fight it out (guilty as I may be). if it does not permanently stain me - or if I find out from my lawyer I have little chance of dismissing it - I will plead guilty immediately to more promptly open my options (to enlist?).

although it will be 6-14 months before I can take the asvab, lang. assessment; I would like to know my limitations and opportunities as far as linguistics, psyops, and other positions as soon as possible.

I do appreciate your advice. I understand the military will not be the silver bullet to success. I am excited, though, at the adventure it offers. And I know I need the discipline.

Well then, I'm glad to hear that drugs are not the problem anymore, however in order to convince a judge of this fact...other than your word, how are you going to convince him/her?

Pleading guilty now could be looked at as owning up to your responsibilities as a good citizen, and it sounds like you have resigned yourself to just that. Even got it all worked out as to how much time before you can requalify for military service.

Have you thought of backing up your statement that you've quit.... with some hard evidence to present to the judge? ie: blood and urine tests over a period of time, like between now and your court date? A little effort and money (for the tests) on your part, and the judge is very likely to see that you mean what you say and can back it up with corrective action. Most of all, that you are willing to go to great lengths to keep the charge off your record as you are wanting to enlist.

Anyone can be charged with a crime, and you are still innocent until proven guilty. Show the court that you are going the extra mile here, and are not simply whinning about getting busted and not doing anything about it while you have the chance. Most people don't do anything until the court MAKES them. Not a good signal to send to the judge.

The clock is ticking....
Don't want to hear you come back in here after the court date and say that you can't join even though you really, really wanted to...but there's this drug CONVICTION.

i've been reading much more about this, lately; mostly at about.com from a link sgreen posted. from what I can find my drug charge doesn't explicitly bar me from anything, while it will be taken into consideration for pretty much ANY job I choose. so the more exclusive the position, the more important the charge will become? does that sound about right?

i'm still unsure of one of my questions, though; so I will see if I can explain and rephrase it. my girlfriend's sister enlisted in the army last year and chose some sort of human resources position. she was distraught to find she was still likely going to be sent to Iraq, as infantry. I'm sure this is a very complicated issue, with many extenuating circumstances - but what sorts of positions will likely get me in the same situation? I do not want to choose chinese linguist or some specialized mos if I am going to be in direct combat - I would rather CHOOSE my direct combat role, in that case. . .

Like I said above, anyone can be charged with a crime. You charge is a relatively low one in the big scheme of things. But as I indicated earlier, one that you need to take care of correctly to minimize the impact it will have on your future efforts. My comments to you were only that...comments/advice. You can do with it what you wish. I truely hope everything works out in your favor and you get what you want out of life and the military.

And the bit about your girlfriends sister is a classic. Never fails to amaze me that people are so surprised and upset that they may get assigned to a combat zone. Makes me wonder about just what part of the oath she took during her swearing in as she joined our nations military forces that she didn't understand???
People tend to forget what the sole purpose of a military really is.....wage war on our nations enemies. Everything is hunkie-dorie during peacetime and when assigned to a base in the US, serve the minimum enlistment, go to a univercit, college, get low interest home loans....heaven forbid that our country should actually expect them to fight for us though.

More than likely after you settle your court thing and clear out of that mess and enlist, you will likely be placed in an infantry unit for starters until you have earned enough time to find your way around in the military. Language skills is very important, but usually won't get the opportunity for just having a particular language skill, you will only add that to your overall military knowledge, your security clearance level will be a consideration, and eventually with time, what you really want to do in your career.
The military gives no guarantees as to what changes may take place during your enlistment, from peacetime to war, from mos to another assigned mos. Understand that all things are subject to change in the military, and generally happens without notice.
If you do decide to join, go into it with everything you got, take the good with the bad.
Hope this has been of some help. Good luck.

that is helpful, jims. i've talked to my parents and i've been keeping up with it lately, and now I'm a little more goal oriented. I know now for sure I want to learn arabic if I qualify. I think that is one of areas where recruitment has fallen short? I also read, because of recruitment shortfalls, they may be raising bonuses and being more leniant with minor offences. two more reasons for me to come help. thanks again for ur advice!