Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 11/7/2008

Question
I was recruited by the army a couple months ago into the future soldiers program or delayed entry my recruiter told me to lie to MEPS about my criminal record it has already gone through and there going to discharge me for fraudulent enlistment will i ever be able to enlist in any military branch again

Answer
Dear Eura --

Unfortunately, you will likely get an uncharacterized discharge with a re-entry code of 4.  This means you are ineligible to enlist in any service in the future.

However, if your crimes are waiverable and few, you might be able to get a waiver for both your criminal record and your RE code.  You will need to do something for the next year that proves that you are unlikely to return to criminal behavior, that you are mature and hardworking, and that you would now be a good candidate for military service.

I am sorry you listened to a lazy, lying recruiter who would rather risk your future than do the waiver paperwork required to waiver your criminal record.  You might consider returning to your recruiting center and discussing your recruiter's advice to you with his commander.  He should not be in the Army, if he is prone to this behavior.

Please write back, if you have other questions.