im just curious as to why a felon cant join the service I ask because ive been getting the run around with no answers. I did some stupid things as a kid should that be held against me for the rest of my life. I completed my sentance that means im even with the house so why cant i join they didnt give me a life sentence but i guess thats what i got.
2007-07-06 16:33:46 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
and to all those who respond with all the negativity there are exceptions to your theories. this is a legitimate question not a window for verbal abuse. im sure 90% of u did something illeagal in your childhood i just got caught
2007-07-06 16:41:05 · update #1
Depending on the offense, you could possibly get in with a waiver. I would find a new recruiter and maybe research other branches of the military if you haven't already.
I understand that you're probably a great citizen now and crap CAN happen when you're younger. Unfortunately, when you're young you don't realize that it'll follow you for the rest of your life.
I hope you can find a recruiter who is willing to go the extra mile to get you in. Also, have you checked in getting your record expunged through the court system? It's always a possibility that the judge would consider helping you out!
Good luck with everything!! :)
2007-07-11 06:12:47 · answer #1 · answered by beanie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Beanie, and others with similar responses. You CAN join the military with a criminal record. It depends upon the crime you committed. There may also be other factors involved as to why the recruiter for the branch to contacted won't accept you. Check with all the branches. Once again, depending upon the crime you committed, one should take you.
I served with two felons. I don't think anyone knew until the President came for a visit. Since our crew had the lead for running the airfield and getting Air Force One and support aircraft serviced, our whole department was checked by Secret Service. With everyone having to be there for the operation, only those 2 were not. They were put on special liberty for 72 hours. The differences are, this was some years ago, they were adults at the time of the crimes, and they were already on active duty. Also, their crimes may not be the same as the crime you committed.
With recruiting numbers down, a LOT of things are being considered. Even if none of the branches will accept now, give it a few months and check again, or stay abreast of changes in recruiting efforts. Also, if you are set on leading a productive life and want to join the military, contact your federally elected officials. Try to meet with them or their representative to plead your case. They may be able to do something for you. Once again, it may all depend upon the crime you committed, and the circumstances.
The weapons issue may be the deal. After thinking about it, we had a guy pulled from combined unit. He was a reservist with a domestic violence charge on his record. Since we were issued M-16s, and some even had 9mm too, it came back to bite him in the butt. He WANTED to go, and was a gung ho guy. Only about 4 people scored higher than him on the range. We hated to lose him, but rules and regs are rules and regs. So, not only felons are turned away. The only reason he was allowed to even stay in the reserves, from what I was told, is because he worked in logistics, and his unit didn't usually work in areas close to a combat or imminent danger zones. If that were the case, he probably would have been given his walking papers.
Good Luck!!
2007-07-11 22:14:07 · answer #2 · answered by Airdale 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your felonies were Minor say class c & d why dont you try to get them expunged from your record. In most cases you can hire an attorney to patition the states attorneny's general.It is possible to have them erased. It ,might take awhile but in the long run it's well worth the cost. I know of a person that had a class B felony expunged. His conviction was for a nonviolent crime. He told me it was worth every cent he spent. He could own firearms , vote, draw social security when the time comes and it made getting a job a hell of a lot easier. Good luck in life.One reason a felon cant join the military is the firearms thing. You know ,can't own,posess or be in an estabishment where firearms are sold or stored. That sort of rules out the military.
2007-07-13 19:04:57 · answer #3 · answered by roaddrvr43 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well the United States was obtained by a bunch of criminals and now they (government) feel they would like to move in a different direction. Now you just can't get caught doing any crime or else your basically blackballed by your fellow countrymen who feel like they should disassociate themselves with you, which all means that your not considered a citizen at all, because the same rights others have under the Constitution are not given to you, they have their rights only because they haven't gotten caught yet. We have Americans overseas committing crimes of humanity, but, they don't consider that a felony when you kill innocent women and children who have nothing to do with the war, sounds like the police we have in the U.S.A., now they're overseas committing crimes against people we don't even really care about. HMM sounds very familiar, don't you think.
2007-07-07 08:43:22 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stupidity is not a very good excuse, or reason for you felonious acts in the past. The Military does not suit those who lack discipline. Your past acts indicate that you are lacking in one of the most important aspects of military service. Service is a core responsibility of all on active duty. Once again, the Military does not have the manpower to insure that you provide the service necessary to be a member of any military branch.
But most of all, when I am a member of a Rifle Company engaged in hostile action, I do not want a Felon anywhere near me. Why, because I cannot rely on someone with your track record to save my life.
However, on the positive side of your rebirth into society. There are many Service positions not in the military that you may qualify for. If you want to help people? And by the way, most men and women on active duty are there because they want to help people.
2007-07-11 21:26:17 · answer #5 · answered by johny0802 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You should talk to a recruiter...they do waivers for things all the time. My husband has served with some felons so there are exections to the rule. Talk to someone and see what they say!
To all those giving a negative response.......you CAN serve what you have done in the past just affects your security clearance!
2007-07-06 23:42:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im sure it probably has something to do with Felons not being authorized to carry weapons, which is kinda what we do here. I hate to tell you but unless you find a damn good recruiter that can do some magic with paperwork you might be hosed. Research the Lottenburg act. (think thats what its called)
2007-07-13 21:35:17 · answer #7 · answered by Jon W 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The French Foreign Legion will take felons, No questions asked! or sign on as a mercenary, Plenty of mercenary work in Africa or South America.
2007-07-13 07:49:23 · answer #8 · answered by D. M. 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what you did, I know when I was recruiting for the AF we could not get felons in but I helped many get in the other branches. You would probably have to get a waiver to get in but with the way things are going I would think you could if it is not murder.
2007-07-06 17:02:23 · answer #9 · answered by wow one 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just following up on previous comments:
The French Foreign Legion is here:
http://www.ambafrance-us.org/atoz/legion/enlist.asp
A recent article on waivers for felons is here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/14/us/14military.html?ex=1329109200&en=06c953182b1c51bb&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
2007-07-13 20:58:47 · answer #10 · answered by Insanity 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋