Expert: Aaron Shifferly - 9/18/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have a friend that recently went to a recruiter for the Army when he was 15 years old he was charged with 3 counts of sexual battery and 1 count of Rape (yes i know this sounds horrible). He took his ASVAB and scored a 78 then the  next day was told he could not enlist this happened 17 years ago he is now 33 years old . IS there anyway possible that he can still join this is his dream for him and his  family and now because of something so stupid he did 17 years ago he cant do it . He now has a wife of almost 12 years and 2 children and he has never been in trouble with the Law since this happened except for minor things like speeding tickets . Help i want so much to help him with this and see him fulfill his dream. I feel its asham that something that happened that long ago can come back and feel like hes being judged all over
Thank you for you time and answers
Melissa

ANSWER: If he's still registered as a sex offender, or if his convictions were as an adult, then he cannot join the Army. If not, then he needs to check his record and see if his juvenile issues were expunged. If they were, then he can join the Army.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: No his convictions where as a minor , and the recruiter told him it didn't matter if they were expunged or not that he couldn't join . He was never a registered offender at all because of the fact it happened when he was 15 years old . How does he go about seeing if they are Expunged and if not can he still get them expunged and could he join them even when he was told that he was permanently disqualified from enlisting. I just feel his recruiter didn't do all that could be done to help him. Thank you so much for your time and efforts

Melissa

Answer
He should consult a lawyer for getting them expunged. If he's unhappy with his recruiter he can go to another one. Just tell him to be honest about his past but not too honest. He should read the questions clearly when they ask about his criminal past and not give out too much information. If they still say no, then he's done all he can.