Expert: John L - 10/2/2008

Question
Mr Lewis,
I've a few concerns about enlisting in the Army (active) that my fresh recruiter probably wouldn't know if these issues would DQ me right off the bat, and to tell you the truth it makes me uneasy when the recruiter struggles with answering my questions without thumbing through papers.

My bio:
I'm a 25 female, have a GED, Married (4 years separated but not legally), one 2 year old child (I have full custody, but will shortly be transferring it to the grandmother due to the dangers of my current line of work).

* I have seen a counselor once a few years back, (just needed someone to vent to about stressful family issues & never went back since)
* I was prescribed an anti-depressant after childbirth for "babyblues" (never took it, because I don't believe in them)
* Tried marijuana a few times as a young teenager.

HERE'S THE BIG ONE
*I was charged/arrested in 2004 for a Domestic Violence (misdemeanor) w/2 years probation, 1 year anger management.  
All mandated orders have been successfully completed other than my probation fines. (I believe my probation officer waved for good behavior and closely following his instructions. Since you can't successfully complete probation without paying off your fines)
** However, I had my gun rights stripped and unsure how to appeal in Wa. Superior Court to have them reinstated. Not sure if the Army has a waver for that.

That's all of my past, so what are my chances of enlisting active Army?

...Oh, as an additional note for anyone else in the same boat. The GoArmy.com "Recruiter Chat" is more or less a joke, anyone who visits usually doesn't get a straight answer if any answer at all.

Answer
Your first set of issues can be worked around,  however the issues comes form the domestic violence.  Since you were over 18 at the time, and I assume it was your husband the charge stemmed from, that is an automatic disqualify under the Lautenberg amendment.  Some yahoo in congress got a bill passed that bans any domestic violence from ever possessing a firearm.  While on the surface it makes sense, it is so easy to get charged with domestic these days, it is unfair.

Since, under the Lautneberg, you are banned form carrying a weapon, it also carries over to the military as well.  

So, unfortunately, you will not be able to join any branch of the service, probably ever, unless the law is changed.

Sorry for the bad news,  but the minute you revealed this to him, he should have known you were not eligible.

Good luck.