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Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Wanting to join the Army
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Question
Dear Sir,
I realize your post says you are with the Air Force, but you also sounded the most sure of your general military knowledge, so I am hoping you can answer my question.
I very much want to join the Army and have spent the last couple months training my body to make weight and do well on the physical testing. I have no criminal record or health problems. I am a high school graduate. My issue is this:
I have 2 judgments on my credit report. One is $4000 from a divorce settlement (that I am still appealing) and one is $5000 from a lawsuit I lost. I also have 3 children that I pay child support for and I am have about $500 in arrears from when the child support was first issued that I am catching up on.
Are these debts going to keep me from being able to join? I feel that I am getting everything else in order, but I am worried that these issues are going to be my downfall. I have always wanted to serve my country and provide the best life possible for my family, so I am praying there is a way to work this out.
Any advice would be most appreciated.
Thank you,
Robert
I believe that as long as you are paying on these obligations you should be ok. You may have to have a financial eligibility determination completed. The best way is if family can take care of all these debits and then you apy them back. Makes getting in easier.
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Answers by Expert:
Howard Lorenz
Expertise
I have spent the past 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, 3 years was assigned as an Enlisted Accessions Recruiter. I have been deployed various times to several locations. If it is a career in the military you are looking for or thinking about I most likely have the answer. I still have contacts with in the recruiting field and if I don't know the answer then I have folks who do where I can find the answer. I am very blunt and straight forward and will make no attempts to BS you. I will give you the best information that I possible can can. If you think that you cant handle the answer that I give you, then don't ask the question...... If you are planning on joining the military, your number 1 decision factor in making this kind of move is that you need to be more concerned about serving your country than your country serving you!! All the benefits are the best that you can find. Education is at a premium right now and its the most rewarding thing that you can do. If I dont answer right away probably means that I am busy, but have patience, I will get to you.
Experience
Air Force Recruiter for 3 years, Air Force Career 21 Years
Organizations
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Education/Credentials
Community College of the Air Force, International Air Academy, Allied Business Schools, Embry Riddle Aeronautical College, Defense Acquisition University
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