Expert: John L - 9/17/2008

Question
QUESTION: ok here goes, i have 3 juvenile felonies under my belt with the last conviction occurring 11 years ago when i was 15. i tried to enlist with the airforce about 6 years ago and was not able to.i talked to recruiters from all the branches at about the same time and the marines said maybe if i had gotten 2 felonies in the same day i get get a waiver.i also have 2 adult misdemeanors from about 4 years ago.i had been talking with an army recruiter and even let him pull up my records so he could "see what he could do for me", he wasnt very much help said i have 2 much on my record, i am in the process of trying to have the records destroyed and told the army guy, and he said i wouldnt be able to apply again because they would see on my old application my juvenile offenses..even though i'm sure they would have to pull it again and this time they wouldnt be, i am not trying to hide it, i just want some help, i want to serve my country and get an education but cant because of some really stupid things i did over ten years ago. i havent tried to apply to the national guard or coast guard, or any other branches besides the army.. if the records are destroyed do i have to notify the recruiter if a apply again, or can they still get the info even though they are destroyed? i am just trying to build a better life for me and my son, i have read articles about adult felons being offered enlistment instead of prison..i dont understand why they would do this for these guys but wont cut me some slack. any help you have is appreciated! thanks so much

ANSWER: Unfortunatley, no branch of the military can take you with three juvenile felonies.  Two is the max fo rthe Army and Army Guard, and then it depends on the charges.  

It does not matter if the records get expunged, you get a pardon or anything.  The records never really go away despite what the courst may say.  Even Juveniel records can usually be gotten to by the military.  

Thank you for your interest and remember this.  Militray recruiters tell more people "no" per month than tell them "no".

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QUESTION: what the coast guard or the national guard?

ANSWER: Not sure what you mean.  They all operate somewhat the same when it comes to charges, but the Coast guard is more selective.

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QUESTION: im sorry, i forgot to type about between the "what" and "The"..so there is no chance i would be able to get into the coast or national guard? also, who do the recruiters report to, what's their title? commander in charge of recruiting? 1 more question, who is in charge of issuing waivers? i read that waivers are given after they see that you dont have any morality issues, how does that work?is their a panel of officers that give you an interview?

Answer
With three juvenile felonies, the answer is "NO".  The waiver authority differs are each type of waiver.  But some things are no even eligible for a waiver, such as 3 felonies.  Waivers are given based upon past actions, severity and circumstances of the incident or incidents, time since incidents, and what you have been doing with your life since then.  Then it is a personal decision based on given criteria to issue or deny the waver.  All recruiters report to a chain of command, they all have an immediate supervisor.