Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 6/16/2008

Question
I would like to enlist as military police (31-B) but have had a recent bankruptcy.
However it was not personal rather business related. I talked with my local recruiter and he told me there are no waivers for security clearances and that I was not eligible to apply (all in less than 5 min. of me walking in). All of my research tells me he cannot give me that answer only a review board. I don't want to just give up that easy. Please advise.


Answer
Dear Patrick --

Please find another recruiter.  The one you spoke with does not want to help you develop your enlistment package because it will require a waiver.  Waivers are a lot of work for recruiters, and many recruiters will push candidates aside so they don't have to do the extra work.

However, you may not qualify to be a military police candidate.  That will depend on your education, physical fitness and your scores on the Armed Service Vocation Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).  

As far as qualifying for a clearance, having cleared your financial record with a bankruptcy is generally preferable to having excess unpaid debt.  Be completely honest on your security clearance application, list all mitigating circumstances, and provide documentation.  If your clearance is initially denied, you may still request adjudication and get another board to review your clearance application, possibly getting it approved.

Good luck to you.