Posted on May 21, 2018
Pvt Ben Carr
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Long story short, i served in the USMC from 2008-2011. 3531/3533 (basic motor T then advanced schooling for LVS operator) hit the fleet with clr-1 and took the first deployment offered with clb-15 on the 15th MEU. A years worth of work ups and a 7 month deployment later i get back and things are finally winding down, go back to my parent unit (clr-1) and i go and f' things up for myself and get bagged with spice. maxed out on NJP and an OTH'ed one week shy of my 3yr mark. Before you say it, yes im one dumb mother f'er and i promise there aint a thing anyone can say to make me feel any worse about it than i already do. but the question is, what can i do now. im not talking about for me or to make my situation better but to make good on that blank check i wrote that bounced. How can i help my brothers and sisters that come next to not make the same stupid mistakes that i did? currently i live close to fort leonard wood where i did mos school, who could i contact to see about maybe coming up for a libo brief and giving the old "hey dont be a f'up like me..." speech? my Colonel did say he wanted to make an example out of me, should i take that as an order? how can i keep giving back to the Marine Corps that i still owe? if for nothing else but my own peace of mind. There's nothing i can ever do to take back the mistakes i made but if i can talk some sense into at least one thick skulled kid like myself itll be worth it. my dad always taught me "Its not the mistakes that make the man but how he makes amends." ???
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Responses: 6
SGT Joseph Gunderson
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Right now, you aren't getting in. You messed up and they don't want you. Find something else. Until there is a huge build up they aren't going to be waiving that kind of stuff.
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Pvt Ben Carr
Pvt Ben Carr
>1 y
I completely understand that Sgt. I'm still going to fight to get my discharge and re enlistment code upgraded so that if something big does go down ill still be a good body on the roster, but there's gotta be something I can do to help in the mean time. I owe it to guys I wasn't around to help out. I just don't know how. The dd214 is like a cut off on all info. How can I get a hold of a saco or something? He'll even just to send a letter or something. I have to find a way to help.
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SGT Joseph Gunderson
SGT Joseph Gunderson
>1 y
Pvt Ben Carr - You should work to upgrade your discharge and that may help you. In order to do that you must have kept your nose clean after you got the boot. Did you? Did you get in trouble with the law after service? If so, you may have a harder time with this. If you did you should be golden. Letters from those you served with in NCO grades and higher that speak to your great performance and character will be almost necessary; get a hold of people and see if they will write letters on your behalf. After you have collected those up, you can petition for an upgraded status of your discharge. These aren't quick but I haven't seen many OTH fail to be upgraded to General or even Honorable under most circumstances. After you have your discharge upgraded you can start talking to recruiters again. It is not going to be a quick process but it can be done.
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Pvt Ben Carr
Pvt Ben Carr
>1 y
I've deffinetly been doing my homework on it, right now I'm working on rounding up letters I've talked to most of my unit and they said they had no problem helping me out. From what I've read the character of service upgrade takes around a year or two once you get your paperwork in and most likely standing tall in dc in front of a review board. Getting the re enlistment code upgraded has been a little harder to get info on. I have been good since I got out, so that should deffinetly help me out.
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CWO3 Us Marine
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It was a costly lesson, but you won't do it again, because you learned from it. You've already done the adult thing by accepting responsibility for your actions. Take the training you received while in and put it to good use. Try to be a model citizen and help others when you can. Your debt has been paid in full, due to your discharge. This is just one of the many pitfalls in life. Don't let this ruin the many opportunities that lie ahead. So tighten your pack straps and continue to march.
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Pvt Ben Carr
Pvt Ben Carr
>1 y
Ooh Rahh to that sir. I really have come a long way from where I was. When I got out my car got repoed I didn't have a penny to my name or any sort of plan. I now have a family and own a 10 acre homestead. Just got promoted to lead man with a 26 man crew in one of the biggest factories in my area and I finally feel like I'm at a point where I can start making good and giving back. Not only to the new guys that might need a reminder that its a 24/7 life style not just a libo to libo job but also to the guy that already screwed the pooch. I very vividly remember pulling extra duties one night while on restriction and our duty snco was having a talk with me and another marine on restriction giving him pointers on how to recover once he's off but then turning to me and saying "sorry but its too late for you" I feel obligated to reach out to these guys and girls I just can't figure out how. Looking for some direction I guess.
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CWO3 Us Marine
CWO3 (Join to see)
>1 y
Pvt Ben Carr - Just take care of your folks and you're still carrying out your duty as a citizen and moral person. That's the same obligation we all have to each other. People have done far worse than you did and bounced back. Sometimes it takes something drastic for a young person to get on track. The Corps gave you the principles, and it would seem your Father. You're getting a second chance, so don't screw it up. Third chances are hard to come by.
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SSG Laurie Mullen
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You may not be able serve in the military, but if you really want to serve your community and help them during times of emergencies then check out this website. One of my co-workers was in the Georgia Defense Force.
https://www.missouridefenseforce.com/about.html
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How do I keep serving after an OTH?
Sgt Field Radio Operator
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Edited >1 y ago
Pvt Ben Carr I am glad that you own your mistake. With the serious drug problems that our country has, I am sure that you can find some outlet to share your experiences. Good luck.
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Pvt Ben Carr
Pvt Ben Carr
>1 y
Thank you Sgt.your right we do have a serious drug problem right now. I feel that makes it even more critical that I find a way to reach out to uncle sams misguided children like myself. I just don't know how to do it, or the proper channels to go through to do so directly.
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GySgt Bill Smith
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In all reality when does a young pvt or pfc listen to anyone. You can hold formations all day and say do not drink and drive but Marines will still drink and drive. The best thing you can do is move on and find a new purpose in your life. Don't let this hang over your head for the rest of your life. You fucked up once so what. Move on Marine.
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Pvt Ben Carr
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I've actually started looking in to them if I recall correctly they're actually starting a new unit in my town
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