Expert: John L - 7/28/2010

Question
I have been doing job searches and lots of reading job descriptions for the Army Reserves.  There is one available at the base I would like to be near (where my fiancee lives, not near my current residence), which I would love and that is 68K - Medical Lab Specialist.  When I took the ASVAB at meps for the marines 2 years ago (which I didn't go into because my intended MOS became unavailable# my AFQT score was 98.  Also I studied Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at UC Davis for 4 years before problems with finances and drinking derailed my BS I was going to get.  That's what I am most concerned about.  

I'm not even attempting to go into an MOS that would require a security clearance for the reserves, so I figure the Air Force is out anyway.  I have delinquencies on 2 former credit cards that are in collections now, and went to rehab for the alcohol abuse #sober for 13 months now#.  
My total debt is $6,000 for the credit cards and $6500 for student loans #which I believe don't matter since they can be deferred#.  Where I live I simply cannot find a job no matter what tools I use #filling out any application I can find, internet, etc#, so the bills are inescapable right now. I'm not looking to the army because I need money, I'd always intended to go into the armed services and I can easily finish my BS while in the reserves, opening up the possibility of becoming an officer, if that's a possibility.  I want to know what chance there is of being allowed into the army if I ignore my recruiters' requests to omit this information and do put it on my application.  I assume this would necessitate a waiver which from what I hear is harder to come by nowadays.  I consider integrity a critical part of my personal value system, but I can tell you that I have a tremendous amount I can bring to the armed services, be it in a lab or on a patrol.  I just don't want situations I brought upon myself in the past to put me in a situation I cannot escape.  I have no criminal record whatsoever and have never used an illegal drug.  

One last question.  About 18 months ago I had the flu, skipped breakfast and lunch and fainted briefly while running up the stairs at school.  My friend made me go to the ER where this was reported to the DMV and my license was suspended pending my doctor's review of the case.  He then died so I didn't bother with the paperwork yet because I live in an urban area and have no car anyway.  I intend to get this cleared up before submitting my application paperwork, but will a DMV check be run as well and necessitate me reporting this as well #as well as yet another waiver#?  

I realize this looks like a mess.  Your response is greatly appreciated.

Answer
For the reservs, credit should not be an issue, the DMV thing is not an issue either, it is not for nonpayment of fines, however, the rehab is an issue, that alone will disqualify you for the military and most definitley anything in medical field.  The fainting thing is easly explained and can be cleared with medical documents.  

Sorry

The job does not require a secutiry clearance, but a background check is still done.