Expert: John L - 4/5/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hello, I have a few questions actually. One is that I am trying to understand what the recruiter said about having to unseal a juvenile case that was sealed. Does this mean it will have to be sealed again or it is only unsealed for the Army to review? Also another restriction is the tickets in collections that have to be paid before enlistment. If it takes a while to pay them off can you still join once they are paid? Are there any juvenile misdemeanor crimes that are not allowed to receive a waiver? ( I have researched every possible place and they only offer information on adult, felonies, violent, and drugs and do not really go into detail on juvenile cases). Is it possible to get the background check or try to get a waiver before the physical or any other procedures to make sure that you will not have done everything else and still can't get a waiver? Do your spouse and kids have to move if you are sent to a base outside of the state to receive housing assistance? Are there any EB's available for 2011 recruits? Does the Army have a great need for recruits at this time? I also read an answer in a previous question that stated that if they ned to unseal a juvenile record they have to grant the waiver for enlistment is that true?  Also if there is any other information on any of these subjects that you can offer would be great. I am only asking these questions because I have reviewed thousands of questions answered in the forums as well as asked the recruiter, and internet research and was unable to find my answers. I will greatly appreciate any help you can give or advice so that I may know if I should go ahead with my plans to join or if it is a waste of my time and I need to pursue a different goal. Thank you

ANSWER: I will try to answer these in order.

No one can unseal juvemile case, the court will tell them it is not available and they will rely on you to tell them what it was and what the outcome was.  If it was a felony or drug charge, you can stop right there, you aren't getting in.

You can join once all tickets are PAID

If it is not allowed as an adult, it is not allowed as a juvenile, there is no difference, a crime is a crime.

A waiver cannot be submitted unrtil a physical is done, nor a back ground check until you join.

You family does not HAVE to move, but can join you whwere you are stationed, and will in housing or get housing allowance.

rarely any bonuses are available now for enlisting.  ones that do are VERY SMALL

As far as having to get a waiver for unsealing, I have never heard fof that, it takes a court order to unseal, and only law enforcement can do that, not the military or recruiters.

In the end, it sounds liek you will not be eligible if you are so focused on your record, if you can tell me hwat the charge or charges were I can tell you better.  rarely waivers are given right now becuase numbers for recruiting are good, so we do not need to enlist past criminals, it is just a statement of fact.

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

QUESTION: Thank you for answering the first questions. I am not the one with the record it is my husband and I am concerned because the recruiter made me feel that way by the way she was expressing certain things. She even put a high emphases on the 400,000 dollar life insurance policy in which we care nothing about because our focus would be him serving and coming back home to his family. Maybe she had her priorities mixed which is why I came for advice especially to someone with great experience. He had a juvenile misdemeanor offense that was sealed (you answered that they could not open it) but in the end you said you thought his chances were slim which now I am confused. Plus judges will never allow a felony, violent, drug related, or certain crimes to be sealed so that means that he did not do anything too drastic. One minor mistake as a 14 year old and has never been in trouble with the law since. We are working on the tickets which seems to be the only thing holding him back so far. Also about the housing question I guess I need to be a little more better with detail. We are currently looking for a home to purchase. If we are to purchase a home before he enlist will we have to move on base with him in order to receive BAH? I am trying to get a full understanding so we can know what our steps need to be in these next few months. Thank you again for your help/advice.

Answer
If it was a minor offense, and not a felony, he should be good, he just has to explain what it was, and from age 14, unless a felony or domestic violence, he should be good to go.  You cannot recieve BAH if you live on base.  it is either BAH or housing, not both.  If he is looking to join active army, i would not buy a home yet, wait until he is thru training and you understand his income and where he gets stationed at.