Expert: Eric Ernst - 10/8/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have had 3 prior arrests and am looking to get into to coast guard.  2 were when I was 18 and one when I was 19.  All three are misdemeanor and all were dismissed.  I was never convicted of anything.  I turned in my documents to my recruiter and he was very confident that I would even make in the Coast Guard or even into MEPS for that matter.  My question is what are my chances of getting into the Coast Guard and how bad are these anyways?  By the way 2 where for Graffiti and 1 was a Marijuana Pipe.


Thanks,
Ryan

ANSWER: Ryan,
You said that that they were all dismissed? If they were dismissed you shouldn't have a problem. Granted you will want to be honest with the recruiter and make sure that you tell them about it. The Coast Guard is a very selective service, we are what a lot of people call "The service of choice". Since we are the smallest of all the branches they recruit the best of the best. My advice to you is to contact a Coast Guard recruiter ASAP. Like I said be completely honest, but since they were all dismissed you shouldn't have a problem.
Thanks,
Eric

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Eric,
 I have contacted a recruiter and have been trying to get in for the past 2 months.  I almost made it to MEPS until another recruiter came in and started asking me if i was ever arrested.  I said yes, and he asked me to bring in all corresponding documents. I did, police reports and depositions that showed they were all dismissed.  After that he said he would have to show them to the chief and he would get back to me.  When i spoke to the chef he said that even though i was never convicted and that they were dismissed that the CG looks at the charges and doesn't care if there were no convictions.  Also the cop that arrested me charged me with a felony in witch the crime that i was charged for was not.  Its all messed up!  I really really want this and he said try again after these charges are 9 years old, witch will be in 3 years, and that they don't look that far in my past.  Anything you can tell me about wavers or anything i can do to get in?  Or would sealing my records help?  How about contacting the senators office, can they help me?  my dad has ties there....ANYTHING.  Or should i see another recruiter out of state?

Answer
Ryan,
Hello again, You didn't mention the felony before...That is a big disqualifier. If you have a felony the odds of joining the coast guard is 0. Im sorry to have to tell you that. As for sealing your records I don't think that would help any. You will have to get a security clearance and it would show up on that. You can try contacting your senator but I'm afraid to say you are going up against a brick wall.