Comments By Tyler B.

I wish you the best Tyler. Remember while we served we voluntarily gave up our constitution rights during service. As endentured servants we only had those rights the government allowed us to have. Double Jeapordy wasn't one of them. LoL

You are 100% right. I also got more from my service than I was ever called to give. God Bless our Great Nation. I just... Just pray for all those who are in or are going to sign on, that they find a way to change the culture from the inside. Politics is the real root of all the evil. They are writing checks with the Ink being the blood of the Patriots who swore to protect this great nation. I honestly hope we get back to where we are electing Vets to represent us, people who have defended this nation... & not just folks that have reaped a great profit from their "service in government"

Not saying that it needs to be fair... Life is not ever going to be fair... just, for those that are ready to defend this country with their lives, I pray that they are given more respect & not "Hung High" by the very services that they have signed on to serve.

Well... I made peace with the way things went down a long time ago. Really, I put myself in a compromised situation & what ended up happening was left open enough to interpretation that they were able to trump up the charges with little actual evidence. I am not playing the "framed" card, because the way that I was living was pretty wrong/hard... I was an alcoholic, & I had allowed my vices to get out of control. I did not go down for them, I went down for a charge that honestly I was not completely guilty of... But they basically strong armed me into a plea, either I was going to plea out or they were going to possibly pursue upwards of 15-25 years. Based on the "Political" implications at the time, even if I could prove my innocents, my defense Jag (Who was a saint, honestly the Best defender in the Law game in my book... a real Angel sent from God above) basically told me that I would be better off pleading out & fighting the appeals. You know they laid everything a lot thicker; actually I was not even charged or being investigated by the civilian authorities. But unfortunately, right now, the Military is trying to downsize. There is a good population of guys that are getting hung out to dry by the very service that they swore to protect and defend. I served... I am a proud American & a at times I even allow myself to be considered a Vet. But the Service did not protect me, they in fact took every opportunity to hang me out to dry. but I needed that. if I would have stayed, my career would not be nearly as good, & I would have probably gotten in a lot more trouble down the road based on how fast my alcoholism was getting out of control. I am 2&1/2 years sober, I have gotten the counseling that I needed. I am Far better now than I ever was while I was in... because these days, you can't get help while your in if you want to make it a Career... because they will find any reason to flag you & not allow you to re-up.

I am by no means innocent. But I am a better Man now. & the charge may say one thing, but the circumstances were not what the government made me plea to. But honestly, as you can imagine, 1 &1/2 years in the brig is a lot better than 15-20. Honestly, when they said that they could pursue up to Life & 5.... I knew that I was not going to win the game. No, I did not murder anyone. what happened was a unfortunate misunderstanding. I just have to live with the after effect. But by the Grace of God I am going to walk the Path that he has for me, & there is no force on earth that can change the path that he has set me upon.

Respect to you Sir. for all those who have served... & all those who will, Respect. I am open to discuss these things, I opened the topic to discussion. Were all adults; I just feel blessed that there are people helping me make heads for tails from all the loose change that I have in my past. I appreciate you guys helping me figure my way into a good career.

Feel free to tell me to mind my own biz.

Sounds like you got busted by civ's and they handed you and the bust over to the mil to deal with?

Don't know about double-jep - if you weren't convicted in a civilian court, then double-jep isn't really applicable. And usually, if you were convicted - they wouldn't GC you for the same crime - but conduct unbecoming or any number of other things - like UA or desertion if the time you spend locked up in civvy jail qualified you for that charge. Remember - the mil doesn't care if you're UA because you're in jail. You shouldn't have been in jail - and UA is UA.

The DD - is the icing on the cake. While you CAN get a DD and not have done a GC or any time - it's almost automatic that if you are convicted in a GC and do time, that you get a DD after your time is served. That's just the way it rolls.

And since you aren't playing the "I was framed" card - you obviously did the offense in question.

Frequently - especially in mil towns - depending on the offense, the civ's are more than happy to let the mil handle the prosecution of charges - they can usually lay the BS on thicker - and (most) civvy jails are a lot better than mil brigs. The one I was in SUCKED - I wouldn't want to have done ACTUAL TIME there.

Similarly - if you're overseas and unless it's an outrageous violent crime (think Okinawa rapes) - the civ authorities are pretty much obliged to hand you over to the mil authorities.

Rick

The charge was taken care of in the service. The Charge is ofcourse equivalent to a Felony.... Basically, they charged me because there was not enough to go on for a civilian trial.

I still have some of the documentation from the trial. I might be able to dig out my proper charge sheet. I really appreciate the information. I am just trying to "Restart" and work hard. to think that that could be more of a double whammy makes me chuckle a bit... They were able to hang us by our toes with Double Jeopardy in the Services, now they get to twist both those knives once again.

I appreciate all the information guys. Thanks. I am working on seeing if I can't make something work. One thing still stands, is the Respect I give to all the fellow vets I run into on this road. Few Greater Americans than those who would willingly sacrifice everything for the RED White & Blue.

Again, thanks All. Many Blessings your way.

Companies are going to want to see your DD-214 - and the DD is going to hurt you - not insurmountable - but as bad as any felony conviction. It's like the DOUBLE WHAMMY - the conviction for the charge AND the DD.

Were you busted by civvie authorities, and they let the mil deal with you - or did you take a hit on a facility and it was all mil? That much brig time wasn't your run if the mill Article 15 - you had to have been up for a General Court Martial, and it had to be pretty damn serious at that.

As Brett elaborated - the military usually doesn't release those records to prospective employers - so you are going to have to get the disposition/judgement papers from your GC, to show the employer the charge & disposition.

I had more than my share of Article 15's in my day - even did 3 days bread and water in the 57th Street Naval Station Brig (worth EVERY DAY for what I got away with) - but despite my issues with authority, I got out with a General Under Honorable Conditions. A lot less difficult to explain - especially since I got out in '82.

So depending on the nature of the charge - will depend on how much of a "second chance company" you're going to have to be looking at.

This really is a "special circumstance" that I can't say I've EVER SEEN on the board - might really have been better off in it's OWN POST. Maybe some of our more recent mil folks might give some advice based on some more recent military experience than mine.

Best of luck to you...

Rick

I know that this is a subject that seems like its fathered quite a few threads... so I am going to open this up under an existing one... I need help. I was in the service for 9 years, but one and a half were spent in the Brig. I have a conviction under a UCMJ code, and a dishonorable discharge coming. I have been home for about 9 months now, but I am trying to find out how likely it is if I were to go about getting a CDL if I could get hired, or if I could get on a sponsored training program, with a conviction that translates into the civilian world as a Felony.

I see that most companies take felonies on a case by case. Anyone have any recommendations on where to start with this checkered past? I really just want to Work & get back on my feet, & I am looking for a career. Trucking would be my preferred option right now. Any help/information would be appreciated. #GodBlessAmerica I am a proud American. I served... I just hope that I can find a Career now. Again, thanks for any help/Prayers given