SFAS Route Guidance

JP82 · 10-13-2013, 20:01

For the past two years it seems like I have ran into almost every possible issue with obtaining a moral waiver to join the Ohio National Guard and get a tryout with 19th Group in Columbus. Of course the whole reason I find myself in this pickle is due to my own fault for getting a DUI in 2008. Last week when I contacted the SF recruiter to check in he let me know that my waiver was denied at state level so they were resubmitting it through National Guard Bureau.

I’m now looking at contingency plans in case Bureau comes back denying the waiver. I constantly look at AD Army but looks like there is no way a PS needing a moral waiver is going to get a go at AD. I’m originally from Louisiana so I’ve been looking at migrating back down to that area especially Texas. I’ve tried contacting the SF recruiter in Texas but haven’t been able to speak with anyone, of course I’m not sure they could help me if I’m denied by Bureau. The next option I’m looking at is Army Reserves. I know from searching the web and this site there are no AR SF units and you have to have conditional release from the reserves to AD or NG if you want to go SF. I just don’t know how soon you can request one or if either AD or NG would look at me differently being a reservist rather than just PS.

I just turned 31 last month and know besides having the negative strike of a DUI I’m also being looked at for how much good quality time I would be able to contribute to an ODA, if I have the intestinal fortitude. I meet with the AR recruiter on Tuesday morning to get some information on my options.
I want nothing more than to be on an ODA, I will do anything to get there and will not quit, it just sucks I had to make my journey there a lot more difficult. I know that due to the current climate of our government and military things are constantly changing. I was wondering if anyone has any guidance or areas I could research? I also plan on using the contact info on SORB’s website to see if they have any recommendations, just figured I’d ask here as well.

JP