Posted on Nov 21, 2019
What are my chances of getting into the military by getting a determination from a Suitability Review board?
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Hello Everyone,
So I’ve started the process of attempting to join the Army at 33 years old. I know It’s late in game for me, but it’s always something I’ve wanted to do and some poor choices kept me from it in the past. I’m giving things a shot now. Hopefully things will work out. I’m hoping I can get some advice/guidance from anyone willing to help.
I’ve been speaking with a local recruiter and have been 100% upfront about my past. I have some criminal charges from my distant past(2004-05-07-09). Pretty much everything is “dismissed” with no adverse adjudication other than some traffic offenses. Records for these old cases simply don’t exist. My county doesn’t retain records for dismissed cases beyond five years. The only thing to show these ever happened is a very basic printout.
On the face of it, it kinda looks bad... but I only have one actual conviction (DUI 2009) and everything else is as described above. My Recruiter wasn’t quite sure how to handle this at first. Anyway, I latter went the office and had to write a bunch of statements about the circumstances of each charge, my character etc etc. Now I simply have to wait for a determination from a Suitability Review board.
My Recruiter didn’t have much information beyond that. He told me to just wait it out. Could be weeks... could be months... he says he may PCS long before I hear anything.
Does anyone here have any experience with a similar situation? Do I have any kind of chance? I’m an open book if anyone needs more details from me.
Thank you for any help or advice.
Robert
So I’ve started the process of attempting to join the Army at 33 years old. I know It’s late in game for me, but it’s always something I’ve wanted to do and some poor choices kept me from it in the past. I’m giving things a shot now. Hopefully things will work out. I’m hoping I can get some advice/guidance from anyone willing to help.
I’ve been speaking with a local recruiter and have been 100% upfront about my past. I have some criminal charges from my distant past(2004-05-07-09). Pretty much everything is “dismissed” with no adverse adjudication other than some traffic offenses. Records for these old cases simply don’t exist. My county doesn’t retain records for dismissed cases beyond five years. The only thing to show these ever happened is a very basic printout.
On the face of it, it kinda looks bad... but I only have one actual conviction (DUI 2009) and everything else is as described above. My Recruiter wasn’t quite sure how to handle this at first. Anyway, I latter went the office and had to write a bunch of statements about the circumstances of each charge, my character etc etc. Now I simply have to wait for a determination from a Suitability Review board.
My Recruiter didn’t have much information beyond that. He told me to just wait it out. Could be weeks... could be months... he says he may PCS long before I hear anything.
Does anyone here have any experience with a similar situation? Do I have any kind of chance? I’m an open book if anyone needs more details from me.
Thank you for any help or advice.
Robert
Posted in these groups: 
Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS)
Waivers
Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) Waivers
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 4
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Before retiring I was on recruiting duty for 6 years. When I ask for waivers it didn’t take any time to get an answer. I was Navy though. Don’t know what other service’s process is though.
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Robert Eriksen
Are Dismissed/expunged charges ever considered a major misconduct? I had a bevy recruiter look at my records for like 30 seconds he said no way. I don’t think they even had the time to determine anything based off that.
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PO1 Dee Lee
Depends on how serious the charges were. Recruiters don’t grant waivers. They request them. He probably request a similar waiver and it was shot down. RecruRobert Eriksen
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Robert Eriksen
I think that particular recruiter just look at my printout and figured it was too much of a challenge and simply blew me off. Everything I have is dismissed or expunged, plus over ten years ago. I only have a single conviction and various traffic offenses.
PO1 Dee Lee
PO1 Dee Lee
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Talk to the Guard and reserves.. Also your State military reserve. Better start training for the Army Combat Physical Test ACFT now.
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Its going to be more than a suitability review. A DUI will require a moral waiver, so it may take a while. That typically requires that you interview with the company and battalion commanders. Stay engaged and committed.
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