Expert: Howard Lorenz - 3/24/2010

Question
I plan on joining the AirForce as soon as I graduate with my Bachelors degree in less then a year. Im nervous though because I got a drug paraphernalia ticket about 3 years ago. This ticket involved a pretty sticky situation with a possible substance charge of a misdemeanor A.

The charges were never put against me or anyone involved. As well, no one was taken to court, plead guilty or innocent to anything. The only record, is of the actual arrest and investigation that did not lead to any charges.

I spoke to an officer recruiter and they told me that I would have to get a waiver for this ticket. But Im extremely nervous about the other part of the situation ruining my chances. My lawyer said that I could get this expunged off my record, but from what I have read and from what I have been told. This will not help much.

My question is, on the waiver. Should I go into full detail about what happened on the day of my arrest? There is more detail I could go into, but if this post is public I would like to discuss it further by email.

Thanks

Answer
YES!  Since you have to have the waiver, you want to be as truthful as you can about the situation. The deciding factors want to know the story. They want to know the reasons WHY you were given the ticket and the resons why there wasnt any charges brought against you. The reasons as to why they didnt press charges may be in your favor.

The Air Force has to make the determination that the law enforcement officials didnt. Is this future officer a risk....or was he a victim of cercumstance? By allowing this candidate onto active duty is he a risk to those he will lead? So give them the full details so that they can make an informed decision.

Since you didnt go into detail here with the complete circumstances, I cant offer an opinion as to WHAT they will do. That will be between you and the Air Force.