Is it hard to get a waiver for the army?

Question

o.k. i was in the air force for about 3 years and got into trouble for shoplifting a few watches from the bx on base. i was only 19 and it was a very childish and immature thing to do and now I'm trying to make things right. i got a bad conduct discharge because of it and now am trying to get into the army. the recruiter put in a waiver and i was wondering how long it took and how hard it would be to get it passed. its been 5 years since i got into trouble. the recruiter thinks it will pass but i was wondering if anyone else knew of any similar circumstances. PLEASE, if you don't have enough self-respect to give a helpful or encouraging response, don't answer!

for the people that are confused about age i was 21 when i was finally discharged. i was still in at least a year after i got in trouble.

my re-entry code is 2

Answer 1

I think you will for sure. I've heard several stories of both boys and girls having minor police records and they were waived for the Army.

The Army is so desperate for men/women right now, I honestly highly doubt that the waiver won't pass. If I were you, I wouldn't worry about it.


(It's also probably even more likely to be passed because of your prior military service)

****Those who said you won't get a waiver must not know very much about the army - it is the Navy and Air Force that rarely pass waivers. The Army has not met its recruiting requirements for the past few months, and they are certainly passing waivers, as I said I personally know a few people who have had waivers passed for criminal records/misdemeanors.
Good luck!!

Answer 2

No, you can pretty much get a waiver for anything in the Army. Seriously.

Answer 3

If your recruiter took the time to put in a waiver, you're fine. Like you said this was 5 years ago. You should know the status of your waiver within 30 days. Just keep asking your recruiter about it. That will show your recruiter you are eager to enlist and he's the one working to get you in. Good Luck with your Army Career!

My brother-in-law just recently enlisted in the Army with TWO shoplifing charges and a DUI so I'd say you are A-OK!

Answer 4

ok people, you cant join th military at 16. he said he was in for 3 years then he got discharged. he was 21 when he got discharged, so he enlisted at 18. to answer your question i seriously doubt they will let you enter the army with a bad conduct discharge. if you have a bad conduct discharge when you get out you will have an RE-4 reenlistment code. and it is nearly impossible to enter any branch with that. but then again the army is hard up. so...

Answer 5

You were in for three years yet a shoplifting experience at the age of 19 ended in you getting a bad conduct discharge? Did you lie about your age when you joined?

Answer 6

it all depends on what your DD 214 says. If you have a reentry code that is other than 1 it will be difficult, but with the ARMY very possible. They need poeple bad and if you've shown no other incidents besides the shoplifting you should be fine. waivers usually take about a week.

Answer 7

At 19 you had been in the Air Force for three years?

If you don't get the waiver now, try again at the beginning of the fiscal year. That's when opportunities seem to magically open up.

Answer 8

I would say it would depend on your behavior in the past 5 years but I wouldn't count on it, if I were you. You did steal from the Federal Government and the US Government does not take kindly to thieves in its military organizations.

Answer 9

even with the RE-2 the Big Chicken Dinner may be a tough hurdle.

Try the National Guard, they seem to be more forgiving with such cases.

Answer 10

Listen to the recruiter he knows what he is doing your not the first and you won't be the last, keep your chin up it will all work out .