Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 10/6/2008

Question
Hi. Col. Bedell

My name is Linda and I want to know if you had any information about when a person is in jail, if there is a way for the army to enlist them, if that what a person want to do. And if so I would like to know what I would need to do to help this person out.

Looking forward to your prompt response.  Thanking you in advance for your time.

Linda

Answer
Dear Linda --

Someone that is serving time in jail cannot enlist in the military.

Someone who has completed their sentence and been released from jail, can sometimes enlist, depending on their offense, and whether  they are otherwise intellectually and physically fit.  They would need an approved morality waiver to account for their criminal conviction and the time they served in prison, in order to enlist.  Morality waivers limit the career options of someone enlisting in the military.