I see that this topic is like beating a dead horse...Tattoos, ears, criminal history.

**johnny** · 12-09-2010 02:16 AM

Apologies in advance.
And thank you if you read all this.

I have already talked to recruiters from the USMC, Navy, and Army.
My arm tattoos violate USMC's new, tougher policy, but the Navy and Army said they were fine.

Information Redacted.

and my criminal history.
The Navy recruiter said it should be fine, but again. I am talking about the Army here:
1. I was arrested for Possession of Marijuana when I was 15 years old (stupid) and did a diversion program (which doesn't matter in the military, the original arrest counts) to absolve the civilian charges. I haven't even smoked a cigarette or drank alcohol since (over six years ago), much less done that. I only did it a few times total (I would say about 6-7 times).
2. I was arrested when I was barely 18 for Shoplifting (stupid) something worth about $15 (even stupider). I also did a diversion program for that (which again, holds no bearing here) to absolve the civilian charges.
3. Again, when I was 19 for Criminal Damage (I was actually innocent on this one) because some kid pushed me into a window at a party and said that I pushed him and the force of my push threw me into his window (logic/physics contradict this theory). Also he was 150 pounds wet and I was 6'2" 185 pounds at the time. Well I wasn't arrested at the time, they called the police and they apparently summoned me to court and I never received anything in the mail about it (which is also not my fault on this one), so they came to my house and arrested me for not appearing. Long story short, a month later the case was Dismissed. I am not sure if dismissed cases still count against you (as courts often dismiss charges instead of ruling Innocent.
And I have had some speeding and various moving violations over the years, but never a suspended license or anything serious of that nature.

Since all of this occurred when I lived in Arizona, the Navy said I would need to go in person to access my juvenile record so that they could review it, but that I should be fine.
Also, I got a GED when I was 16 and didn't finish high school, but I have 15 units of college credit so far. (GPA is about 3.8).
I was irresponsible as a young man, but I am a very dedicated stupid and hard worker now.

Again, thank you if you've taken the time to read this and thank you for your service, Soldiers.

EDIT: Also, I am interested in 11B, but nothing that requires a security clearance right now.

**Armyforums** · 12-09-2010 02:16 AM

**Grunt Medic TXARNG** · 12-09-2010 03:37 AM

The tatts, ears, fight and shoplifting are all possible to get past and join the Army. Where you're dead in the water is your drug charge. At this time the Army is not allowing anyone in with a history of drug possession. If that changes in the future, you can get in - but for now you are disqualified from joining. Good luck!

**johnny** · 12-09-2010 04:16 AM

Really?
I'm guessing it is the same for the National Guard then too?

I just read that it can be waivered, but requires a higher level of approval.

**mesummerlin** · 12-09-2010 04:39 AM

It can be waivered, but in the current economic climate you're just out of gas. When the economy is in the tank- military enlistment shoots up (think about it- no civillian jobs available, many folks who are able to enlist jump at the chance!)

This allows all branches to be much more selective. They don't have to take someone with a drug conviction because they've got so many other qualified candidates without them.

As Grunt Medic said, if the economy improves and enlistment slows down you may have a shot (and by that time the space in your earlobes may have shrunk!)

Good luck!

**Grunt Medic TXARNG** · 12-09-2010 06:17 AM

Anything can be waivered - the question is whether or not the powers that be are willing to do so. All you can do is contact a recruiter and see what your state is doing. Good luck!

**johnny** · 12-09-2010 01:56 PM

Thank you both for your straight forwardness.
Yeah, I picked a really bad time to become serious about the military.
Most of the recruiters have told me that every branch is making mission and hardly trying so they are being picky.

That's kind of what I thought about anything can be waived on paper, because after talking to about five Marine recruiters one that had tattoos finally leveled with me and said yeah, we could submit a waiver technically, but it will get denied and they told us not even to submit it in the first place on the basis that it won't get approved.

I wish the economy wasn't causing people to use the military as a fallback. Doesn't that mean there will be a lot of Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen that don't really want to be there or care about the job and are just in it for benefits and money??

Thanks again.

**Patriot545** · 12-09-2010 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by johnny

Thank you both for your straight forwardness.
Yeah, I picked a really bad time to become serious about the military.
Most of the recruiters have told me that every branch is making mission and hardly trying so they are being picky.

That's kind of what I thought about anything can be waived on paper, because after talking to about five Marine recruiters one that had tattoos finally leveled with me and said yeah, we could submit a waiver technically, but it will get denied and they told us not even to submit it in the first place on the basis that it won't get approved.

I wish the economy wasn't causing people to use the military as a fallback. Doesn't that mean there will be a lot of Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen that don't really want to be there or care about the job and are just in it for benefits and money??

Thanks again.

Bingo.

That annoys the hell outta me. A buddy of mine asked if he should enlist, I asked why he wanted to, he said "They have good insurance". I told him to shut up.

There are so many people enlisting right now that the Army can pretty much deny everyone with a criminal history and still make mission.

Best of luck man, id say try for the waiver...whats the worst that could happen?

**johnny** · 12-09-2010 03:00 PM

That is really lame man.
Good insurance? Jesus...

For some reason, I have the impression in my mind that if you try and are denied a waiver that it makes it harder in the future to try and go back again? Like it is a "we already told him no once" type of thing? Maybe I am wrong. Just like if you get permanently DQ'd at MEPS for something and then fix it you are still DQ'd forever, right??

I think I will try if it won't hinder my chances in the future. I am very adamant and serious about joining and I am still a young man, 21 (almost 22). So I have a good six years to wait out the economy. I guess I need to play the cards and watch recruiting statistics (which I have been doing anyway).

**johnny** · 12-09-2010 06:09 PM

Oh also. I just read somewhere that National Guard requirements may vary and that they grant waivers more because their enlistment numbers are down.

Or can I get a governor's pardon and not need a waiver. Or is a pardon the same as an expunged juvenile record in that it is still considered a conviction?

**Grunt Medic TXARNG** · 12-09-2010 06:34 PM

It is true that the Guard grants waivers the Active folks will not - each state has its own Guard, so there are 50 waiver boards for the Guard, and just 1 for the Active and Reserve.

A pardon will not change your history - and so will not affect your eligibility to serve. It will restore rights that you lose when you are convicted of a felony - the right to vote, to own firearms, not having to register with law enforcement, and similar.

Thread: I see that this topic is like beating a dead horse...Tattoos, ears, criminal history.

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