Expert: John L - 5/17/2010

Question
Dear Mr. Lewis,

I want to serve my country, so I am considering the Air National Guard and the Army National Guard.  I have been in contact with recruiters from both, and both are aware of this and they both have been very helpful, although I'm at a standstill and can't seem to get the information needed to move forward.

After much review, I was leaning toward the Air National Guard, going in as E3 due to the fact that I have about 70 college credits.  But my friend who was in active Army for 8 years and now in Army National Guard suggested that I pursue the Army National Guard as an officer, due to my age of 31 and my college credits.

So I met with the Army NG recruiter and took the ASVAB, which I scored 80%.  The recruiter said that was a good score to qualify me for OCS or OCT, sorry I don't remember which one.  It is the 18 month program where I would need to finish my degree before the end of the program to become commissioned.  All was going well until the financial and ticket information came about.

Here are the 2 main issues that were brought up by the ANG recruiter:

-I filed bankruptcy due to mostly medical bills and it was discharged in 2001.  I am now have the situation where I have approximately $38,000 mortgage, $11,000 car loan, $30,000 student loan (deferred), and $25,000 in credit card debt.  I have paid my bills on time since my bankruptcy except the credit cards, which I haven't been able to pay since the separation of my ex-fiance in 2008 (the debt incurred when we were making decisions as a couple, although the credit cards were only in my name, after the separation I didn't have the money to pay them).  Per the Army National Guard recruiter the credit cards would probably prevent me from receiving a security clearance the way they are now and if I go to MEPS and can't get the clearance then I would have to enlist that day as enlisted solider and pick an MOS, then I could apply for OCS after basic training and MOS training.  He also mentioned it would disqualify me for the Air National Guard completely, is this true?
       I am prepared to try to correct these accounts.  I would just need to know if it would be better for me to try to settle, which would probably take me a few years to pay off all of them or to make payment arrangements with them and make minimum payments, or to claim bankruptcy again.

-After pulling my driving record, I found that I had 5 parking tickets that were all from the same parking lot which was across the street from my previous employer (paid), a driving w/o seatbelt (paid), a couple of fix it tickets for proof of insurance and headlight (showed proof and fixed headlight, both were dropped), improper turn (paid).  Although it didn't come up on the report, I received a ticket for not changing my address on my license in 1998, when I paid the $35 ticket the clerk told me that it would also be considered a misdemeanor.  I really don't know, but I thought I would mention it.  The Army National Guard recruiter also mentioned that this may disqualify me from serving all together.

Per the ANG recruiter, the following items would need waivers, but wouldn't be a issue...

-I have 3 children & I'm not married
-Medical C-section, freckle removed & factor V

I am kind of at a loss on what I should do next.  I realize that my situation is a little more complex then the average recruit, but I have an extreme passion for the military and really want to serve my country, either in the ARNG or ANG.  Any clarity or suggestions would be much appreciated.     

I apologize for such a long question and thank you very, very much for taking the time to review my situation.

Answer
To be honest, I don't even think any military service is right for you.

let me list some answers.

1.  Your current credit is an issue and will disqualify you for the Air Guard for sure, and most likley a clearance, though not definitly.

2.  Being a single mom (even if not divorced yet) requires a waiver, easy to get, buthas to be done.  You have to have documented proof that someone will care for your kids while you are in training and/or deployed overseas.

3.  The several tickets might need a waiver as well.  Each state varies on actually giving them right now.  Parking tickets shouldn't matter, but depends on how your state classifys them.

The issues of joining really depend on can you afford to join.  The pay is crappy and can you support your family while in training and pay your bills?  Who will pay your bils while gone and take care of the kids?

I believe you have too much on your plate and you would not improve yourself or your life by joining the military.  Having to be on call on the time and have to leave in a few hours notice for a state emergency may not play well in your life having 3 kids.  if you had no kids, or just one, I would say go for it.  Even if you were married I would question it.  

The choice is yours, but I believe you would be better off not joining.

Shocking coming from a recruiter huh?