Expert: Aaron Shifferly - 3/10/2011

Question
I would like to enlist in the Army with a military intel job.  The requirement lists that I must only have minor traffic violations and no other arrests.  I have 1 arrest for a misdemeanor 16yrs ago that the disposition was Adjudication Withheld, I was told I could not get this MOS.  Is there a possibility of a waiver?

Answer
There is always the possibility of a waiver, however it is highly unlikely.  They assess your fitness for an MOS, by trying to ensure you meet all requirements.  In this case, your misdemeanor (without the type I cant give you a more definite answer), could be a key factor in them declining your security clearance, a must-have for an intel job.  Also, as the current climate in the military is trending towards reduction in size, the military has more people than jobs and is able to be choosier than they were in previous years.  This means that the waiver is unlikely for you if someone else is already fully qualified and doesn't need the extra work to get the job.  Feel free to either follow up with me or discuss more with your recruiter and see what the options are.