Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Waiver needed for an arrest with no charge?

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Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 5/5/2009


Question
I was arrested at the age of 15. I was falsely identified as a participant in a criminal act. I was fingerprinted and the whole nine yards but no charges were ever filed once the D.A. was informed by the victim that I was the wrong person. The problem is I was arrested under the belief that I committed these felonies.

I have all of the documentation verifying that I was never charged and nothing ever came of it. Will I require a waiver from the USMC or does not being charged make me eligible?


Thank You

Answer
Jay,
You should not have any problem entering the USMC.  Everybody is innocent until proven guilty, and you weren't even charged.  Yours is an unusual case that I haven't run into before.  I talked to MY local recruiter and he said no problem, and no waiver is needed.  The regulations only deal with Convictions and not Arrests.

However, talk to YOUR local recruiter and get his opinion also.  Even if he did want a waiver, I can't imagine you'd have any difficulty getting it approved.
Thanks for wanting to serve.
See ya around camp, Marine!
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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