How a Criminal History Can Affect U.S. Military Enlistment

How a Criminal History Can Affect U.S. Military EnlistmentHow a Criminal History Can Affect U.S. Military EnlistmentThe United States military services make every attempt to assess the moral quality of potential recruits, and several categories of moral offenses may preclude enlistment. This is primarily accomplished based on criminal record. Its important to note thatthere is no such thing as a sealed record, or an expunged record as far as the military is concerned. The recruiting services have access to law enforcement and FBI investigative records, which quite often will list arrests in these categories. Disclosing Criminal History Even if an offense is not found during the recruiter criminal background check, it is likely to come up during a possible (probable) security clearance criminal records check. If an applicant fails to disclose criminal history and it is later discovered, the individual may be charged under federal law, or the Uniform Code of Military Justice for Fa lse Statement, and/or Fraudulent Enlistment. Any offense which resulted in a conviction or adverse adjudication counts. Usually, if the charges were dismissed (without conditions), or resulted in an acquittal (finding of not guilty), they dont. However, sometimes the military will count an offense which resulted in a dismissal. For example, if you were caught shoplifting, and the charges were dismissed because the store owner didnt want to press charges, the military might count it. On the other hand, if the charges were dismissed because the DA determined there wasnt enough evidence to prove you committed the crime, the military probably wouldnt count it. When determining whether or not an offense counts for enlistment purposes, the services are primarily interested in whether or not the applicant actually committed the offense, not whether or not a legal conviction resulted. Criminal offenses that fall into one of the below categories counts when it comes to enlistment purposes Co nviction. The act of finding a person guilty of a crime, offense or other violation of law by a court or competent jurisdiction or other authorized adjudicative authority. This includes fines and forfeiture of bond in lieu of trial.Adverse Adjudication. Any conviction, finding, decision, sentence, judgment, or disposition other than unconditionally dropped, unconditionally dismissed, or acquitted. Participation in a pretrial intervention program as defined below must be processed in the same manner as an adverse adjudication.Pretrial Intervention/Deferment. Every state has a program by which offenses are diverted out of the regular criminal process for a probationary period. While the programs vary from state to state, they all require the defendant to meet some requirement (e.g., reporting or non-reporting probation, restitution, or community service), after successful completion of which the charge is disposed of in a way that does not result in a final adjudication of guilt. Char ges disposed in this manner are processed as an adverse adjudication. Enlistment Standards Each of the services has their own standards when it comes to criminal offenses, and whether or not the offense(s) are disqualifying ArmyAir ForceNavyMarine Corps Criminal History (Moral) Waivers The waiver process is a very subjective one.