Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 5/29/2008

Question
How can I find out if a friend has REALLY joined the army??? Last I knew he was a 9th grade dropout, with no GED and a very bad drug user with a record for theft.How would this man get into the army? I heard from his friend that he's stationed in Missouri at Fort Leonardwood or something like that. Are they taking anyone in the service? His name is Joshua Andrew Welty. Thanks so much!

Answer
Dear Debbie --

There is a Joshua A. Welty attending basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri to enter the Army Reserves.  If you wish to write to him, you can contact your closest Army installation and ask for the "post locator."  That person can give you the mailing address of Private Welty's training unit.  You can also contact the post locator at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

Presuming that you were privy to young Mr. Welty's behaviors, and know for a fact he was charged and convicted of drug use and theft, then he entered the Army under the waiver process.  The Army recognizes that people, especially young people, can change.  If recruit candidate Welty was able to demonstrate to a board of military officers that he was determined to turn his life around, and make something positive of himself, he would be afforded the opportunity to enlist as a low quality recruit.  He would get no special enlistment bonus, and would be offered very limited options for military occupational specialties, however he would get the chance to prove himself at training.  The challenge and stress of military training are often exactly what some young people need to find a meaning in life other than immediate self-gratification.

Of course many young people wash out of basic training and are sent home.  Or they commit crimes while in the service and after their trails, serve time in military jail, are kicked out with dishonorable discharges, or both.

Personally I hope Private Welty can use this opportunity to turn his life around.  I'd like to be the first to shake his hand, congratulate him and thank him for his service, if he does.