Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 5/6/2010

Question
My son is almost 28.  He has some misdemeanors for drug use - he is clean now.  Can he get into the military?

Answer
Dear Larry --

Your son meets the age requirements.  The services are accepting recruits up to age 42.

However, they are not accepting anyone with prior drug convictions.

The current slow economy means that many high quality young people are enlisting in all the services.  Right now the services can be very selective concerning their recruits.  They have chosen to restrict recruitment of candidates that would require a morality waiver for drug issues of any type.

This does not mean your son could never enlist.  It just means that under the current environment he cannot.  If the economy picks up, or if recruitment slows down in the fall (as it usually does) waivers might become available.  Your son should begin discussions with a recruiter, so that if the appropriate waivers become available he is ready to take advantage of them.

Please write back, if you have additional questions.  Good luck to you and your son.