Expert: Aaron Shifferly - 3/16/2010

Question
I'm in the process of joining Officer school for the Air Force,  While expressing interest in joining the Air Force to my current partner, I have encounter the possibility of considering *Marriage.

The only inconvenience is, I'm concerned that if I get married before joining the Air Force (or even after been accepted) that my future husband's past criminal record will affect me in qualifying me to join or stay in the Air Force.

I DO NOT however, have any kind of criminal records though, I graduated with High Honors from High school receiving a scholarship with Walt Disney World for overachiever in Academics and Job performance, subsequently a Film, Bachelors.

My current interest with the Air Force or any Military Branch is to achieve a career in Public Affairs Apprentice or Public affairs Specialist or any particular Broadcasting field accordingly with any Military branch. The Recruiters do mention considering Officer School due to my qualifications.

Now my Questions are:

1. Does Spouses go through *Criminal/Background checks as well before or after I join any military branch?  With that asked, How can this affect the process of me joining the Air Force and applying for Officer school?


2.If I do marry before joining the Air Force and I want my husband to live with me on/off Base, will I qualify and receive all bonuses and benefits as a married couple, or will I be disqualified due to his *criminal record?


3. If I do marry before joining the Air Force, is there a possibility I will be disqualified from joining any other military branch or Officer school due to his *criminal record?


4. How can his *criminal record affect my career and promotions throughout me serving or joining  with any Military branch?


It's very inconvenient to encounter such situation with a possible future spouse, in the positive side I'm glad I had a chance to know his *background before jeopardizing any possible Military career.

Thank you for your understanding, time and response.
Lee, T.

*The individual which has served (in his youth '96-98) probation and jail, have criminal charges which consist of ROBB. WPN-NOT DEADLY and FLEE/ATT.ELUDE LEO/HI SD (released date: '03)

Answer
I will preface this by saying that I can only give you general ideas about the Air Force since I'm Army and we do have slightly different standards.

1. Your spouse's criminal background should generally have no effect on your application to officer school providing he's not subject to additional monitoring that would preclude him moving with you or to a megan's law. The convictions you mention below shouldn't trigger the second part of that but, if he's on probation, his state may not let him move with you.

2. His criminal record will not disqualify you from any entitlements that you will receive.

3. No. You are evaluated on your merits, not his.

4. It cannot unless he continues criminal activity while you're on active duty and you become involved in it.

Bottom line, as long as he's not continuing a pattern of behavior that could lead to more issues, his past ones will stay in the past. You should be fine.