Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 2/6/2011

Question
Dear Sir, my name is Brian. I am a 37 year old male looking to join the army in the near future. I am in the process of dropping weight to meet the tape measurement. I will probably never be able to meet the weight (because I have a very large muscular frame), but I'm only off less than two inches around the waist to make tape. My question to you sir is I have a felony on my record that goes back to 1992. It is larceny from a motor vehicle under $500. The state of Michigan is where I did it. I do not have any drug/alcohol/sex/violent offenses of any kind on my record. I have looked on a few military web sites and this felony appears by government standard to be a misdemeanor. Do I have a shot at being able to enlist in the army? If so, what percentage chance do you think I have? I was 18 years old at that time and what can I say, I was young and dumb. I do not have anything else on my record since than except expired tags on my license plate (age 21/22# and 1 speeding ticket at 1-5 mph over the speed limit around 1995 I think. Since that period of time my record is squeaky clean. I have since have had a steady work history, earned an lpn #nursing# diploma and have and well over 120 college credits and am a current member of phi theta kappa #honor student#. I have superb references from work, personal and multiple schools. These include professors that have multiple degrees, doctors, lawyers, and former enlisted that will vouch for me if required. I really would like to enlist and serve my country. To be able to give back and earn respect in the military has long been a dream of mine. By the way, I would like to enlist as 68w #combat medic) and go for the m6 identifier afterwards. I thank you for your time. Brian

Answer
Brian,
I don't foresee any problems.  Your felony is minor, and the more years that have passed the better.  They may require you to obtain a waiver, but you shouldn't have any problem with that either.  Your recruiter will help you process a waiver request.

I do have one question that a recruiter may catch also.  If you have over 120 college credits why don't you have a Bachelors Degree?  You would be much better off if you had a Bachelor's Degree and entered as an officer.  Still, if you enlisted today you would start out as a Private First Class (E-30 while most everyone will be Privates (E-1#.  That's about $262 more per month.  You can finish your schoolwork while you're in Service and then apply for OCS.  #No guarantees, but it often works out.)

I believe you've got a very good chance.  See a recruiter before you get too old.
Thanks for your patriotism.
Colonel H