Expert: Howard Lorenz - 5/9/2008

Question
QUESTION: My question is this.... I have really been thinking about joining the air force however there are a couple of problems, 3 yrs ago I received a DWI and a paraphanelia charge, both were misdeameanors and I have been off probation for year.  I have a bachelors degree from a state university and I have just completed my Masters degree, what are my chances of becoming a Officer in the Air Force, oh by the way I am graduation Magna Cum Laude.

ANSWER: Well I can tell you that it is not going to be an easy waiver , but the fact that you are educated may help. Dont get your shorts in a twist when I tell you that you may have to go enlisted first because of the charge, but once you are in the system, then after a year or two you can apply for the commission. The thing is that the enlisted time will take presendence over any prior law viloations you had coming in....Make sense?

The Air Force is a hard nut to crack when it comes to entry level standards. THe Army not so hard...they can do miricles.


Navy is a little easier than the AF as well I would go there next if you cant get the AF to budge...Just make sure that when you go in to talk to the recruiter, you have all your documents with you.....especially the college transcipt.

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QUESTION: I figured it would be difficult to enlist as an officer, but I hope that my education level would help in this process.  What kind of waiver would I have to fill out?  Who has to approve the waiver and does that limit you abilities to move up in rank once you are commissioned?  Thanks for being so honest in response to my question.

ANSWER: The waiver will be a group level waiver or higher (HQ Air Force)

Now each recruiter does business a little different so be flexible, but  a waiver means basically an exception to policy. As it stands you are DQ for Air Force, the waiver is an agreement between you an dthe service that if they allow this exception to policy to let you in, then you will have to take a certain job or what have you. The standards change according to the needs of the service at the current time. So with that in mind, if you can not get in to the AF, then try Navy and jsut work your way down till you find a home. Once you are in ...You are in, there is no limitations as far as Rank. DUI and Possession eventhough they are misdemeanors are hard ones to swallow for the military. The kick out alot of soldiers & Airmen becasue of that very thing....its a NO Tolorance issue. But you have education so it may help...its sure doesnt hurt!

Good luck! and let me know how things turn out....

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QUESTION: What about the reserves does it work the same way?  Should I start there first maybe and then transfer to active?

Answer
The only branches tha tI know of that allow that is the Navy and the Army. THe Air Force Reserves and the regular Air Force are 2 different entities and there is no  going from reserves to active....you can go the otherway, but there is not reverse flow.