Expert: Rod Powers - 9/8/2009

Question
Ok I've always wanted to join the military and planned to when I turned 18 because I was a lost and very immature 18 year old hanging with the wrong crowd. My family talked me out of it and shortly after I was dared to break into an apartment and like an idiot I did. I stole an xbox and got caught. The judge felt I was no threat to society and gave me 3 years probation and house arrest and I only paid about $400 in fines. I later had the charge expunged and my probation terminated early. This is my only run in with the law and I've turned my life around dramatically. I got married, attend college, became a Christian and actively serving at my church and serving God,and don't even have a parking ticket.I spoke with an army recruiter and told him my story and he said he feels I could get a moral waiver. i just want to get some input on what you guys think as far as if I can get the waiver and if I enlist would I possibly have a chance of getting a "confidential clearance" and maybe what type of jobs I would qualify for. I take full responsibility for my crime but I want to fight for a second chance at a real career, I've always wanted to do military police so I'm keeping that in prayer, I just can't go on with life without trying. I can handle getting a NO but I can't handle not trying.Well I just spoke with my recruiter he was really helpful. He said his supervisor was going to let me enlist however they don't have permission to give moral waivers at this time. He told me to keep checking in every two months because the recruiters find out through an email whether the army is giving moral waivers.I understand October 1st is the start of the new fiscal year for recruiters so do you think the army will be granting moral waivers then to meet recruiting goals? I already took the asvab and received a 39 unfortunately. I didn't get to study and my recruiter said not to worry about studying just score above a 31 and your fine. But a 39 can't possibly get me any enlistment bonuses, and I want want to do infantry. Any info will help thanks ahead and God Bless.

Answer
Hi Cameron,

Whether or not a service will consider a criminal history waiver depends in large part on two things:

(1) How attractive an applicant you are otherwise (ASVAB scores, education level, medical condition, ect.).

(2) The branch's current recruiting needs.

Right now (probably due in large part to the sucky civilian job market), all of the branches are doing very, very well meeting their recruiting needs. In fact, the Army is currently not approving any criminal history (moral) waivers at all. Even though October 1st is the start of the new fiscal year, it depends on how the Army is doing meeting their month-to-month recruiting goal as to when they will change this policy.

I disagree with your recruiter as to not needing to study. When the Army begins to accept moral waivers again, the higher your ASVAB (AFQT) score, the better your chances of getting a waiver approved. Plus, as you said -- enlistment incentives are tied into AFQT scores. You may wish to consider picking up an ASVAB study guide, such as my "ASVAB for Dummies."

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com