Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Am i able to enlist?

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Expert: - 5/2/2009


Question
Hey i was wondering if i've been arrested for battery but the charges were dropped, will it hurt my chances of getting in the Air Force or getting any particular jobs?

Answer
Brad -

Honestly, you would need to check with a recruiter for that information.  I had an arrest when I was much younger and, even though the charges were dropped, it showed up on my security investigation when I applied to enlist.  Because the charges were dropped there was nothing but the arrest on my record.  I was still allowed to enlist and finished my career as a Master Sergeant with a Top Secret clearance.

But, that was MANY years ago.  Times change and so does the entrance requirements.  They would need to investigate the nature of the arrest.  You didn't mention the specifics of the arrest, but beating up on your wife/girlfriend is substantially different than beating up on a thug who was attempting to assault your wife/girlfriend.  It all depends on what was shown on the police report.

I hope this gives you some information to work with.  Good luck.

Sincerely,
James Bell

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

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James Bell

Expertise

I am a retired MSgt (2004) with 24 years experience in the aircrew career field, both as a loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1) and flight engineer (AFSC 1A1x1). I have been to every continent at one time or another, and regularly flew 300 to 500 hours a year. I have been involved in the operations in Grenada, Panama, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. I can answer most questions you may have about enlisted Air Force life in general, assignments, benefits, and enlisted aircrew operations. NOTE: If you have specific recruiting and/or medical questions about how to get into this career field as a civilian, they have changed since my time, so that is best answered by a recruiter or MEPS. I can answer questions about military personnel wanting to RETRAIN. If you are asking about being an Air Force pilot, please be advised my area of expertise is ENLISTED aircrew operations, NOT OFFICERS.

Experience

Loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1): 7 years - 2,000 hours - C-5A Galaxy cargo plane. Flight Engineer (AFSC 1A1x1C): 7 years - 2,500 hours - C-141B Starlifter cargo plane, 10 years - 3,800 hours - KC-10A Extender aerial tanker. Served as aircrew Flight Instructor, Flight Evaluator and Training Manager

Education/Credentials
Aircraft Loadmaster Initial Qualification - 1980. Mission Qualification (C-5A) - 1981. Fixed Wing Aircraft Performance Course - 1987. Initial Flight Engineer Qualification (C-141B) - 1987. Mission Qualification (KC-10A) - 1988. KC-10 Initial Qualification Course - 1994. Mission Qualification (KC-10A) - 1995. Instructor Qualficiation (KC-10A) - 1997. Evaluator Qualification (KC-10A) - 2000.

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