Expert: Rod Powers - 5/10/2007

Question
My 19 year old son is seriously considering joining the military (Navy or Air Force.  The potential problem is:  He recently got off probation for DUI and possession of marijuana.  The Judge stated the possession stated that since he had no priors, he would be purge the possession from his record if he stated clean and didn't get into trouble and followed the conditions of his probation.  He followed the conditions.  The DUI will not be able to be purged.  Does this disqualify him for Military service?  If so, is there anything he can do to rectify this?

Answer
Hi Renae,

"Purged" charges don't really matter a whole lot when it comes to joining the U.S. Military. Military enlistment paperwork, and security clearance application paperwork requires that one list all instances of arrests, charges, and/or convictions, whether or not records are juvenile "sealed," or whether or not they are "purged." (for details, see my article at: http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/joiningup/a/falsestatements.htm

I'm afraid his chances of joining the Air Force with a conviction (purged or not) of DUI and possession of any narcotic is zero. His chances of joining the Navy with either charge is small.

Here's the thing: Both the Air Force and the Navy are currently decreasing in size between now and 2012. That means they are accepting fewer people. Because they are accepting fewer new recruits, they can afford to be "picky," about who they take, and who they don't, because they have more applicants than they are allowed to accept.

On the other hand, the Army and Marine Corps are increasing in size, and -- because they have higher recruiting goals, are much more likely to favorably consider criminal history waivers.

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military information site at: http://usmilitary.about.com

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com