Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/U.S. Coast Guard-Accepting waivers?

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Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 4/9/2009


Question
Is the U.S. Coast Guard currently accepting waivers for "adverse adjudications" for a juvenile felony charge?  Informal probation was served, and ended early over a year ago, and no further incidences.

Answer
Janet,
In short, yes.

Federal law and Department of Defense directives give the military Services significant leeway in determining who they want to accept for enlistment.  An applicant's criminal and "moral" history plays a large role on whether or not they are eligible to join.

Applicants with one or more convictions or adverse adjudications in a lifetime require an approved waiver of "morals disqualification."

You're not eligible to begin enlistment processing for 3 months following termination of probation, so you're OK there.  You're also lucky that you were a juvenile when it occurred because the military figures we were all young and stupid once.

The USCG DOES routinely give such waivers.  However, just to be on the safe side I'd wait until 1 October before applying.  That's when the military's new fiscal year begins and the new quota for recruits is released.  That way you'll be one of the first in line.  If you tried right now, their quota is nearly full and they have less interest in giving you a waiver.

I think you'll be OK if you just wait a little bit.
Colonel H

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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MARK A. HOWELL

Expertise

All military questions, any Service. 30 years experience & two Ph.D.'s. 4 times Base Commander. Worked with Army, Navy, USMC, USCG and several foreign military units. Veteran of Kosovo, Bosnia, Macedonia, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, and 10 civil wars in Africa.

Experience

Air Force Colonel with 30 years experience. Air Force Base Commander 4 times. Highly decorated.

Organizations
Org of Am Historians, Wild West History Assoc., Disabled American Veterans - Life Member, Am Motorcyclist Assoc. - Life Member, North Am Hunt Club - Life Member, NWTF - Life Member

Publications
Numerous book reviews published in the Journal of American History. Two books submitted for publication.

Education/Credentials
Ph.D. in military history, Columbus University (Summa Cum Laude) Ph.D. in history, Northfield University, London, England (Summa Cum Laude) Master of Arts degree in history, Marshall University, WV Bachelors degree, double-major in history and mathematics, Salem College, WV Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL

Awards and Honors
Legion of Merit Defense MSM MSM x 5 Joint Commendation Mdl AF Commendation Medal Army Commendation Mdl Joint Achievement Mdl AF Achievement Medal Outstanding Volunteer Mdl

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