Am I eligible to join the French Foreign Legion

[pickle]

I am a US college student completing my senior year. I enrolled in the Army ROTC two years ago in hopes of becoming an Army officer upon graduation. I performed extremely well and was the number one rated cadet in my unit. I was assigned to the position of Battalion Commander, the highest ranking cadet in my unit, however, about a year ago I was arrested for DUI. I already have one conviction for underage possession of alcohol while driving from about three years ago, it was not a DUI, however, the title sounds very similar. My cadre have been very supportive of me, and we are all taking the necessary steps to secure a civil conviction waiver, however, I have my doubts that it will go through. There are several other options that I can and will explore with regard to the US Army, including securing an OCS enlistment contract or a SF enlistment contract, however, if my waiver is denied through ROTC this will likely affect my ability to do either of the two options I have mentioned before. I refuse to do something ordinary. Is it likely that the French Foreign Legion will overlook this past indiscretions? I am really in need of some objective advice. Thank You.

[kiwi]

Pfft something tells me the Legion wont even question you about it.

From my reading experiance, minor things such as DUI are not a problem when joining the Legion, so long as you have something non-ordinary to offer.

[BobW]

Subj: Serious Objective Advice

Ref: Even After 5 Years in FFL, you still must..

You still must address the issue avoided in your options. The OCS route and SF - especially for the security clearance - will still see the DUI and possession.

Treat the "infection"; not just the "pain".

Surf the web and find a retired lifer legal beagle or prior service attorney with a specialty in dealing with Department of the Army (presuming you're in Army ROTC). Most attorneys might say they're familiar but regardless find someone who deals with this stuff. They have ads in all the vet magazines, the active duty magazines, etc.

Preferably in person, discuss the fees for representing you in writing the letters etc. If you must sell the car and hold off on tuition for a course even if you'll be graduating a semister later, seriously consider this.

As it is now, your request for civil conviction waiver might be reviewed and acted on by some acidhead alcoholic. Arrange for professional legal assistance; don't place roadblocks in your overall career path. There will be plenty already.

"You will find obstacles enough; what does anything I say matter in comparison?" Franz Kafka, THE CASTLE

Don't feel lonely; retired AF Gen Richard Secord (Ollie North's boss on some offbook projects in the Middle East) got 2 DUIs in Virginia.

Warm regards,
BobW
Vet, Tet Offensive, Vietnam

[voltigeur]

Pickle, take the sound advice from Bob to heart.

[k__]

I don't know how long you've been out Bob, but the US military has pretty much made DUIs a mark of death for young officers and officer candidates.

They say it shows a serious lack of judgment that would preclude one from serving as an officer, and I can't necessarily say I disagree.

On the other hand, pickle, an acquiantance in college was a definite hellraiser - at least a dozen speeding tickets and 2 DUIs for this girl. Somehow, she was able to get commissioned into the USAF and sent to the Space & Missile officer course. She also got her Top Secret clearance, which is required for Missile Officers.

The thing to focus on - waivers! The US military is built on waivers. As Bob said, find some very smart person who is familiar with the rules to advise you.

Good luck!

[BobW]

Hi K,

I owe you a reply. Saw this post yesterday but had to spend a few hours deciding if or how I should answer. I am new to this forum. It is excellent.

I am going to break a couple of my rules and not break a few others, so this might be blurry. Please excuse if this is the case.

Complete agreement here; DUI is a clear indicator of not having developed proper traits for decision-making.

Actually the US military didn't change its view on alcohol. There is a lot of politics involved in this. I've witnessed security waivers for former members of the Black Panther Party. The example of Mademoiselle with 12 speeding tickets and 2 DUIs clearly illustrates. She did NOT =really= get a TS clearance, within the usual meaning of the term. She was not entrusted with material that could involve the grave interests of the US. I've met field grade officers who couldn't read a map.

I was discharged from US Army 1969. Spent my 21st birthday during a mortar attack, Vietnam,1968. Had spent 11 years total in reserves; for 8 years was in a specialized reserve unit. Was a DOD contractor for several years. NATO contractor in former Yugoslavia. Other material omitted.

Pickel has 2 (two) things to focus on; an immediate waiver and also working on decision-making. Probably over 51% of participants here consume alcohol. I even met someone in USMC who curses! The real concern is that none of us want to see someone take a smoke break during complete blackout security. It's the same as going on patrol and someone carries a small transister radio without the battery being removed. Getting stopped for DUI, to use an American military term, is an "I&W", an Indicator and Warning.


Warm regards,
BobW

[Rapace]

For those who don't know, can you explain what DUI is ?

[Eagle eye]

I am a US college student completing my senior year. I enrolled in the Army ROTC two years ago in hopes of becoming an Army officer upon graduation. I performed extremely well and was the number one rated cadet in my unit. I was assigned to the position of Battalion Commander, the highest ranking cadet in my unit, however, about a year ago I was arrested for DUI. I already have one conviction for underage possession of alcohol while driving from about three years ago, it was not a DUI, however, the title sounds very similar. My cadre have been very supportive of me, and we are all taking the necessary steps to secure a civil conviction waiver, however, I have my doubts that it will go through. There are several other options that I can and will explore with regard to the US Army, including securing an OCS enlistment contract or a SF enlistment contract, however, if my waiver is denied through ROTC this will likely affect my ability to do either of the two options I have mentioned before. I refuse to do something ordinary. Is it likely that the French Foreign Legion will overlook this past indiscretions? I am really in need of some objective advice. Thank You.Give your ROTC and Army cadre and country every opportunity. You're one of its sons and you can bestow no greater honour to it than to put yourself in harm's way. I think that this is what you want. Join other US services or paramilitary services to this effect if there is tolerance between them. There is no cross-over effect with the FFL as has been pointed out. If you have an aptitude for learning a language, consider the FFL as a last option. If not, I would go be very, VERY reflective in your specific case with former serious responsibility before going across. Learn a lesson in humility from this trial in military life. All hail to the chief !

DUI: I'd gather it's Driving Under the Influence (of alcohol or substances).
I am going to break a couple of my rules and not break a few others, so this might be blurry. Please excuse if this is the case.Your intervention + experience is totally justified here. So, go ahead, your advice can be useful in such cases. Please give meaning of acronyms so that others can understand them + follow discussion.

[pickle]

I would first like to thank every for responding. Your advice has been very helpful. Needless to say this has been a very trying time in my life. I have spent the past several years working toward a goal and then have jeopardized it with a single act of pompous youthful indiscretion. The irony of the situation is that I will receive my commissioning branch this December, however, I may not receive the subsequent commission. Most likely I will receive my first choice, Infantry, due in large part to the fact that minus my legal improprieties I have been an exceptional cadet. I have been at the top of my class in all activities, academically as well as militarily. I have no greater desire than to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States. I am from the South, and there is a long tradition here of answering the call and serving, even if that call is from the State. I am exploited every opportunity I have to get through this. I am fortunate, in that over the years I have aligned myself with some very influential people within my state and have been able to call on them for help. While I am committing myself fully to obtaining a waiver and continuing on my original course, I am also recognizing that I need to prepare myself for the possible adverse outcome. This all boils down to the fact with I refuse to do something ordinary. I refuse to be just another "guy in a suit" like the vast majority of my classmates will undoubtedly become. I am young, eduacted, and fit, it seems a complete waste that I not find an organization that will exploit these attributes. Once again I thank everyone for your responses and support. Perhaps what has been so uplifting about all of this is how many people have been willing to support me. I would love for the discussion to continue and I am open to all ideas and recommendations.

Thank You

[Forgotten]

For those who don't know, can you explain what DUI is ?

Driving Under Influence

You get a DUI when you are pulled over and your blood alchohol level exceeds the driving limits in which ever state you reside. Here in Washington State it is a .08 limit. Its just a fancy way of saying driving while hammered, which by all means no matter how hard you are is pretty stupid.

And of course if you are under the age of 21 you will get a DUI no matter what your level is.

[BobW]

An apology Eagle Eye re using acronyms and abbreviations without first spelling out. I will watch for this from now on.

Besides DUI - Driving under the influence, some states use the abbreviation "DWI" - Driving while intoxicated". The term "possession" alone is unofficial but means possessing something not allowed to possess. This could be alcohol or cigarettes or drugs.

Warm regards,
BobW

[BobW]

Hi Pickle,

There's light at the end of the tunnel. The problem you are working on is correctable with legal assistance - especially in the South. This is not a first time event in US Army history.

A suggestion to tie into this site; my friend, retired from US Marine Corps, did this. Go into the Army and after settled in, start to study the French language. My friend did this and was assigned as some sort of liaison to French ships arriving Hawaii. If you study French and learn the US Army isn't your cup of tea, beer, vodka, or whatever, your thoughts about the FFL can be activated much faster and with more punch.

Ref your initial post; when at some book store or library (not at your college) browse through the business books and get something that discusses the business intangables, eg how to avoid wasting time on the telephone, how to delegate, risk taking, decision making, etc. All my business and military material is dated and probably not available otherwise I'd mention some titles. Spend some time reading up on decision making.

The Army is desperate for a revitalized officer corps. Work on the waiver matter and then do something worthwhile in the Army. All of DOD is being restructured even with Iraq going on. There are pending opportunities as soon as the day care centers are closed down.

Infantry?! As a first choice?! Have you ever thought about being an aide de camp to a Kissinger type. All the promotions, badges and interesting projects go to these warriors with the shoulder cords and fourrageres! Plus air conditioning!!

Warm regards,
BobW

[Eagle eye]

An apology Eagle Eye re using acronyms and abbreviations without first spelling out. I will watch for this from now on.No need to apologise. :) Besides DUI/DWI, can you give the meaning of acronyms employed in this thread namely "including securing an OCS enlistment contract or a SF enlistment contract" ?
Special Forces = SF ?.

[BobW]

Let me try, Eagle Eye.

First:
OCS Contract
OCS= Officer Candidate School
Someone out of high school or college (university) goes to a recruitment office and discusses what they want to contract for. In this case the person wants to enlist as a private with a contracted for program to attend officer candidate school.

SF= Special forces
It was only a few years ago that Special Forces was made a seperate branch of the US Army; seperate like armor, aviation, artillery. Prior, it was "just" a special program.
A SF contract is an agreement between the guy and US Army to sign up for a program that will route the recruit through a training program ending in being a member of Special Forces.

ROTC: Reserve Officers Training Corps; On college and university campuses that have this program, the individual student, while enrolled in a regular academic program, also takes military science courses (and attend a summer session at some Army base. After completing a degree program, the student is commissioned in the US Army. Active duty service usually starts immediately afterward.

FFL-Legion
AF-Air Force
vet-veteran
USAF-United States Air Force
TS-top secret ( security clearance)
DOD-Department of Defense
NATO-North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(a quick joke re the purpose of "NATO"; "keep Russians out, keep Americans in, keep Germans down.)
i & w- indicators and warnings (intelligence term)
US-United States

Oct and Nov were abbreviated; October; November, respectively.

A lot of abbreviations used in US military are not official. A lot of terms used are not official. Another big headache is telling time,; some use Greenwich Mean Time; some local time.

Warm regards,
BobW

[Eagle eye]

A lot of abbreviations used in US military are not official. A lot of terms used are not official. Another big headache is telling time,; some use Greenwich Mean Time; some local time.

Warm regards,
BobWThanks for all the meanings
NATO: No Action Talk Only (until Bosnia but mainly in the Kosovo.
SHAPE: Super Holidays At People's Expense