Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 9/9/2008

Question
Hello,

I have recently decided to join the Army Reserves.  I am a 37 year old single parent with a BS in Accounting and I recently completed my MBA.  I have been practicing Public Accounting for 10 years but I am looking for more stability and security while doing more than civilian jobs can offer.  

I did take the ASVAB test and scored extremely high, which according to the recruiter qualifies me for most jobs offered in the military.  

The problem is my past criminal record for a DUI and a Reckless Driving conviction.  These offenses occurred in 2002 and 1999 respectively.  These crimes occurred during a very turbulent time (no excuse) but I have since been alcohol free for 5 1/2 years.  At the time of my DUI conviction I was ordered to mandatory classes for which the State certified counselor would determine if dependency was present, which it is noted in the State file that there was no dependency issues apparent and no mandatory therapy or treatment was necessary.  

So, I was told tonight that due to these convictions I can not qualify for the Finance Corps, which was the area that I was seeking due to being an accountant and that I can never be a Commissioned Officer in the Army.  Is this accurate information?  

My intention was to join the Army Reserves and apply for a full-time position in the Finance Corps as a career or try to bridge over the the DOD Accounting jobs that are available.  

From my understanding now, I will always have be an enlisted soldier and never do accounting - is this correct?  I completely understand that I broke the law but prior to or since I have never had any other infractions plus I am a good parent with a small child, family support, good credit rating, degrees, solid placement in the community, etc.  

Can you help clarify if this information is correct?

I apologize in advance for the length of this question and I would appreciate any insight you may offer.

Thank you
Lynn

Answer
Dear Lynn --

I am a bit surprised by the reason they gave you as to why you cannot earn a commission.  You are too old to be a newly commissioned officer without an age waiver.  You must be 35 years of age or younger on the day you receive your commission, and you are already 37.

Due to your DUI and reckless driving convictions, you will also need a morality waiver.  Combining a morality waiver and an age waiver to earn a position in officer candidate school is highly unlikely.  Since your convictions are within the past 10 years, they are both reportable on your criminal history and your security clearance application.  That will make getting a branch that requires a clearance (such as finance and military intelligence) difficult but not impossible.

Since it appears your goal is to get a veteran's preference for eventual civil service, you should enlist in any specialty acceptable to you, for the shortest allowable enlistment period (two years I believe).  Once you complete your enlistment, you will have the same civil service eligibility as someone that served much longer.

Alternatively, you could go to the government jobs web site, and begin the process of getting your resume into the civil service job application system.  

http://www.usajobs.gov/404.asp?404;http://www.usajobs.gov/index.asp

This system uses an automated keyword search to determine who is eligible for a given job.  Please be certain that the resume you submit is written in a keyword format.

Please write back if you have additional questions or concerns.  Good luck to you.