Expert: Stan McElya - 2/16/2009

Question
Im 15 and when i was 13 caught shoplifting small stuff from a dollar store and a few months later i got in a fight and was press charges the kid wasnt injured or even moderately hurt i even said yes to a state program to resolve our conflict by peer mediation but the other kid declined will these small offenses hurt my chance of becoming a seal and if so is there anyway to fix it I'D greatly appreciate it if you could answer

Answer
Hello Thomas: If you keep your nose clean and stay out of trouble from now on, I don't think that what you did at age 13 will matter that much. Have your juvenile records sealed when you become of age. Things have changed a lot since I went through BUD/S but kids do dumb things, that is part of being a kid. You still have several years before you can get into the service. Do the right thing and start training. I wish you the best of luck.
                      Fair seas and following winds
                             Stan