Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 12/8/2011

Question
QUESTION: Good day Col. Howell,

I have just recently read one of the questions that you responded to and it was very similar to my situation, but there are some differences that might make your answer different.

The question I am referring to is: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Careers-Military-Army-1483/2010/5/Top-Secret-Security

I am a sophomore in college studying Political Science and Computer Science. One thing I am very interested in doing and have wanted to do for a while is joining the Navy Reserves. I would love to go in as an Intelligence Specialist, since that kind of a job could probably help me get a civilian job for the government after serving in the military. Am I right to believe this?

So on to my dilemma, I have a total of 12 traffic tickets since I got my driver's license 4 years ago.

1. (Summer 2008) Speeding 50 in a 25
2. (Spring 2010) Speeding in 55 MPH Zone (25-29 MPH)
3. (Spring 2010) Unsafe Lane Deviation
4. (Winter 2011) Speeding in 55 MPH Zone (16-19 MPH)
5. (Spring 2011) Unsafe and/or Imprudent Speed
6. (Spring 2011) Passing in a no passing zone
7. (Spring 2011) Passing in an outside lane
8. (Spring 2011) Failing to obey officer traffic signal
9. (Fall 2011) Red light violation
10.(Fall 2011) Speeding in 30 MPH Zone (15-19 over)
11.(Fall 2011) Failure to properly display front license plate
12.(Fall 2011) Wreck-less Driving

Tickets that were in one traffic stop:
- 2&3
- 5,6,7,8
- 10 & 11

The one I am most concerned about is the wreck-less driving charge. All of the tickets were reduced with a pre-trial with a DA, and for ticket #9 the city lost the records for the ticket, so it was dismissed.

Since my last ticket, I've totally changed my driving habits. I am also planning on taking a drivers safety course to not only take 3 points off my record, but to help make me an even safer driver, show people that I really am trying to improve, and that I have learned from my mistakes. Would this help my case if they bring it up when doing the TS check?

I bet you'd swear you passed an old grandma in the slow lane yesterday... nope, it was me.

So any input as to whether this will ruin my chances of obtaining a TS/SCI clearance or even just enlisting in the Navy. I have always had the dream of serving my country by being in the military and working for the federal government afterwards, so I hope I didn't end up shooting myself in the foot.

Would it count for anything if I were to maintain a clean record for the next few months, 6 months, 2 years? Or should I wait longer before enlisting and having them run a TS clearance check on me?

Could my explanation for the reason of the ticket come into play? I got the wreck-less driving because it was wet, I made a u-turn, and my car accidentally got a little sideways because it is a RWD vehicle, and for the red light ticket it was very slippery in icy/slushy conditions. I also have no other criminal history.

And one more question if you wouldn't mind. My brother, sister, and I were born in the US, and my parents are naturalized US citizens from Yugoslavia. They came to the US in the 80's. I have been told that there won't be a problem with that. Where my question comes in is, how will they view my travel to former Yugoslavia (I was in the countries of Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Croatia)? I have been there 5 times from 2000-2010 for about a month each time, each for vacation purposes where I also visited family such as aunts and uncles.

I would like to thank you for taking time out of your day to read my questions and concerns.

Have a nice day,
Alexandar

ANSWER: Alexandar,
So you're the Grandma that was holding up traffic yesterday, huh? Ha
Ha
It's a good thing they don't count for much, I had about a million speeding tickets when I came in.  The military just wants to see how honest you are.  They'll check with the State Cops anyway.  If you're not honest about a ticket they'll disqualify you.

Don't worry about the reckless driving unless they happen to ask you about it.

The travel to the Former Yugoslavia is also not a major problem, just as long as you're honest about it.  When you list foreign travel on the form just say you were visiting aunts and uncles.  Just don't say you went to Serbia in 1999 to participate in the war.  Ha Ha

You should be OK to join the Navy.
Colonel H

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Colonel H,

Thank you very much for such a quick reply.

So I should not worry about getting approved for a Top Secret Clearance even with that many tickets? I am mostly concerned about passing a TS check once I'm already in the Navy.

Do you think waiting a bit since the tickets are recent, or attending traffic school, would help?

I think I was a little too young to shoot a gun in 1999 Ha Ha

Thanks again for your help,
Alexandar

Answer
Alexandar,
You shouldn't have to worry about getting a TS clearance.  As long as you have them listed means your honest and that's what they're looking for.  The FBI does the background check and as long as you don't make them find something you haven't listed you'll be OK.

Attending the traffic school will definitely help, waiting will not.
Colonel H