Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 9/17/2009

Question
I was charged with Grand Larceny but not convicted. I have to serve 1 year interm probation and after that I will be pleading guilty to a disorderly conduct. Does that disqualify me from joining the military?

Answer
Dear Joseph --

Your crime probably does not disqualify you, but you will have to petition for a waiver to the morality standards.  To know for certain, you will have to take copies of the actual charge sheet and conviction notice to the recruiter, so they can compare them to the waiverable offenses.  Felonies are more difficult to waive than misdemeanors.

In your petition you will have to demonstrate that your criminal behavior was a one time mistake, and that you have learned from you mistake and will not behave that way again.  Good job performance, college or trade school performance, and even volunteer work can help establish that you have turned yourself around, and are potentially a good military candidate.

Good luck to you.