Timothy Fugate ⋅ Clarksdale, MS U.S. Navy, Seaman Recruit ⋅ 8 years served

PO2nd Class Mosher,

First and foremost I want to thank you for serving. I thank you and your shipmates for everything that you do too keep our flag flying with Honor and by showing everyone that we are a strong and fearless Military.

No pun intended but I hate when Enlisted and Officers tell people who are getting out that anything other than an Honorable is going to be a tuff road and I am going to tell you why.

I was stationed in Norfolk, I was on my Second contract fresh out of the Army, I got sick of the dirt and joined the Navy because I loved seeing water after all them years in the dirt lol.

Anyways, I requested to be removed from the ship and placed back on shore duty because of my family problems and also because I knew we was going to settle a old score and not because of WMD but my CO and XO told me it was needs of the Navy and I would not be placed back on shore duty....So....I went AWOL.

When I turned myself in the next day after the ships movement they placed me into confinement, gave me a court martial for AWOL, Failure to follow a order, Disrespect to a CO for something I was in the right saying and a BIG CHICKEN DINNER!

Well guess what, I brought that DD214 home, hung it upside down on my wall and drove on.

I actually followed my passion and got into Law Enforcement, have been on a SWAT team, have done Drug Interdiction and even took Federal schools. I’ve held the Ranks or Cpl. Sgt and Lt along with being a training Officer and all while having a BCD.
It was not until 2013 I found out I could do a DD 293 and have my discharge upgraded. My first DRB sent me a really nice letter telling me that the Navy made a mistake and I should have never went to a Court Martial and upgraded it to an OTH and told me to wait 16 months and have it upgraded again to a honorable. Now I am waiting for my OTH to be upgraded to an Honorable.

I know guys who are Ex SF, Ranger, Seals, paratroopers who have all had a OTH or BCD and are working in Law Enforcement, Federal Jobs or doing contract work for the DOD.
FAA does not have a stipulation that you have to have a Honorable discharge, maybe a secret clearance working for some companies like BAE, KBH, Aegis, Academi Formerly Blackwater but even some of those guys at Academi have DD's working overseas right now!

Tell him to hold his head high for the time he served proudly and honorable, walk out smiling with the training he got for free, tell him everything is going to be just fine and that it is nothing more than a paper that hangs on a wall. He can easily have that OTH upgraded in 18 months.
Tell him not to give up, tell him to put applications in like I did until his fingers bleed and when he gets that second chance he needs to SHOW THEM and EVERYONE else what they lost when he was put out of the Military.

ALSO, Ask your shipmate if he likes Disney... Walt Disney had a DD from the United States Navy and look what he had accoplished only a few years after his discharge...
Tell them they are always a brother/sister in Arms because we are. No matter what your discharge from the Military when push comes to shove and the wolf is howling at our door, VETS will always stand to fight together because our time in service might be over but our watch never ends and our Oath to this Country is just as strong outside of the Uniform as it is in it.

Damin Kirk ⋅ North Charleston, SC Boeing ⋅ 21 years experience

Most companies hire a third party to do a background check. The Military will direct the company to the DD Form 214 to view dates of employement and discharge status. They won't ask too many questions about the details of the discharge in the selection process. He might, however, get asked during an interview. I don't think it's likely though, if he makes to the interview the company thinks enough of him to hire hm.

Damin

Timothy Fugate ⋅ Clarksdale, MS U.S. Navy, Seaman Recruit ⋅ 8 years served

ALSO, I forgot to tell you to tell him....

DON'T LIE about why he was put out, Be open and honest and tell it like it is.
Shit happens, we all know this and if people don't know this they are lying to themselves and everyone around them.

Also, Honesty in itself is a greater reward.

robert mosher ⋅ Portsmouth, VA U.S. Navy, Petty Officer Second Class ⋅ 7 years served

He works in aviation Robert.

Robert Olson ⋅ Reidsville, NC Protonex Technology Corporation ⋅ 3 years experience

Only government employment or a firm that contracts to the government can ask about these matters, so I would tell him to not fret. Other than that, it will not even be an item of discussion unless he/she makes it one. They should simply discuss what the did in the military, their roles & responsibilities and what they did to add value to the organization. It is only a big deal if they make it a big deal or go into a job category that will automatically disqualify themselves. So I advise them to wrap their heads around another industry.

The only barrier he/she might encounter will be whether there is a criminal record which will pop up on a background check, not an OTH.

Do not let the idea of an OTH become a handicap where this fella or woman artificially restricts themselves from going out into the market with confidence and gusto. He/she should not become a self fulfilling prophecy.

As for certifications, they are valid only in the industry specific to the certification. There are a few generic certs that can apply anywhere: PM, Lean, Six Sigma. I would recommend pursuing these with their GI Bill benefits if not pursuing a formal education.

Lots of other things to consider If I knew more about what industry the serviceman is interested in or their future intentions. Please feel free to ask more questions!

robert mosher ⋅ Portsmouth, VA U.S. Navy, Petty Officer Second Class ⋅ 7 years served

Thank you so much Jennifer I'm sure he'll be happy to hear that. He is a good guy and hard work. It is very unfortunate what he's going through. Again thank you guys.

robert mosher ⋅ Portsmouth, VA U.S. Navy, Petty Officer Second Class ⋅ 7 years served

Thank you mr. Kirk he is also in aviation and has all of his military qualifications but no A&P will an aviation field hire them or even look at them?

Damin Kirk ⋅ North Charleston, SC Boeing ⋅ 21 years experience

Hi Robert,

You're right, it will be hard for him to find the job that he wants, however, not impossible. I would suggest he stay as close to his current career field as possible. The more qualified he is for a job the better the chances.

Damin