Can you join the military with a felony conviction record?

Answer 1

The answer is the same for the US Army and the Royal Army, yes, in some instances. The US Army (and RA) will accept enlistees with prior convictions for some classes of felony. Check with your recruiter for specifics, and it may be on a case by case basis. Currently the guideline's in place state that anyone with Criminal record cannot join. Check with your local Army Recruiter.

Answer 2

It is possible to join all branches of the US Military with some felony convictions on your record. If the convictions are drug related or if you are a registered sex offender, you will not be permitted to join. If your record was expunged, this is no guarantee either; the DOD has access to your full arrest and conviction record.

Answer 3

USC 10, Subtitle A, PART II, CHAPTER 31 § 504

Persons not qualified

(a) Insanity, Desertion, Felons, Etc.- No person who is insane, intoxicated, or a deserter from an armed force, or who has been convicted of a felony, may be enlisted in any armed force. However, the Secretary concerned may authorize exceptions, in meritorious cases, for the enlistment of deserters and persons convicted of felonies.

Answer 4

It is possible that you can be waivered in, dependent on what exactly your felony conviction was for, and it can't hurt to simply talk to a recruiter and ask. Understand beforehand that you may have to be prepared to take no for an answer.

Answer 5

No. You will need to obtain a pardon from your state governor to be eligible for service in the Armed Forces. Keep in mind that a pardon does not erase your crime; it indicates forgiveness. Pardons are typically difficult to obtain, and there are many factors that determine if you will get your pardon. Some of the basic criteria are: length of time since the crime was committed, the severity of the crime, the documented need for a pardon, victim and law enforcement statements, and the opinion of the prosecuting attorney and/or the judge who heard your case. The best way to prepare yourself for this is to research the pardon procedure in your state, gather as many letters of recommendation as you can, get together all your documentation, and ready yourself for what will be a long process. Good luck to you!

Answer 6

No, if you cannot be a fully functioning member of the civilian society, the military doesnt except you to be a good service member. If you were bad in civilian life, why would they expect you to be any better in military life?

Answer 7

There are few things that will automatically stop you from joining the military. That being said you will need to contact your local recruiter and talk to them about getting a waiver to join. They will go over your criminal record on a case by case basis, and determine if you can offer something to the Air Force.

No, you will not be able to join

Answer 8

Here is what the military officially has to say about moral standards of enlistment:

• Persons entering the Armed Forces should be of good moral character. The underlying purpose of moral character enlistment standards is to minimize entrance of persons who are likely to become disciplinary cases or security risks or who disrupt good order, morale, and discipline. Moral standards of acceptability for service are designed to disqualify the following kinds of persons:
• Individuals under any form of judicial restraint (bond, probation, imprisonment, or parole).
• Those with significant criminal records.
• Persons convicted of felonies may request a waiver to permit their enlistment. The waiver procedure is not automatic, and approval is based on each individual case. One of the considerations in determining whether a waiver will be granted is the individual's ability to adjust successfully to civilian life for a period of time following his or her release from judicial control.
• In processing waiver requests, the Military Services shall require information about the "who, what, when, where, and why" of the offense in question; and a number of letters of recommendation attesting to the applicant's character or suitability for enlistment. Such letters must be from responsible community leaders such as school officials, ministers, and law enforcement officials.
• Those who have been previously separated from the Military Services under conditions other than honorable or for the good of the Service.
• Those who have exhibited antisocial behavior or other traits of character that would render them unfit to associate with military personnel.