Is it possible for a prior service Marine to reenlist with a 6 year old DUI on his record?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 11:39:17 -0500

A buddy of mine (prior service Marine) is trying to enlist in the Army. He has a 6 year old dui on his record and is having a hard time getting an actual answer from a recruiter. He goes to the recruiting office, gets fingerprinted and then never hears back. Any insight on this and if it’s possible for him to enlist?

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Dec 8 at 2020 11:56 AM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 11:56:11 -0500

You already answered your own question: DUI. However, the recruiters should be a bit more professionals and close the loop with him. Unless, there’s more that you don’t know.

If its a DUI, he should seek legal advice and see how to degrade it to reckless driving, or something like that. It might help / might not help. I’m not a lawyer and I’m not giving legal advice!!!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2020 11:56 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 11:56:35 -0500

Either USAREC has said no DUIs allowed, or something is missing here. How many different recruiters has he contacted?

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Dec 8 at 2020 12:01 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 12:01:16 -0500

It just depends.
Needs of the Army (Do they need HIM)
Criminal history (moral) waivers are decided on a case by case basis and depend on individual factors. Depending upon the needs of the military, and the past criminal history moral waivers are either easy to obtain or impossible.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Dec 8 at 2020 12:43 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 12:43:03 -0500

It all depends on needs of the military. Standards rise and fall depending on the current needs. A war time military generally has higher needs and lower acceptance standards than a peace time force with lower manpower needs. It has been possible in the past but it ultimately depends on current needs and current policies.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Dec 8 at 2020 12:45 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 12:45:21 -0500

Anything is possible in this world...is it likely? Probably not when people are getting kicked out of the Army right now for DUIs.

It's quite possible you're not getting the entire story. Whichever recruiter(s) he went to, needs to tell him if he can or can't enlist. I'm not sure why they'd fingerprint and then never get back.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2020 2:44 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 14:44:58 -0500

His ENTNAC may be pending after the bright lights and rubber hose to get him to spill his guts. May be more to the story. Recruiters don't approve enlistments, they process them, provided the applicant is mentally, morally, and physically qualified. Then MEPS and the Service become involved. Service policy is what matters most if he passes MEPS.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 8 at 2020 4:24 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 16:24:31 -0500

If the recruiters stopped talking to him, it's because he's no longer a viable prospect. That alone is an answer to the question.

Response by SPC Bradly Martin made Dec 8 at 2020 5:17 PM

SPC Bradly Martin — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 17:17:24 -0500

Honestly? He’s got like a .05% chance.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2020 8:14 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 20:14:42 -0500

The problem here isn’t the DUI in itself. The major issue is that he got it either in the service or since he separated. The Army looks at it as once a professional always a professional. There is a small chance he can get back into but as a current recruiter... it will be a tough sell and a long shot

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2020 10:08 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 22:08:09 -0500

I came out of recruiting in 2019. At the time if a person received a DUI during or after service there was no waiver authorized. Kind of like you should have known better. DUI before service could receive a waiver. Things change pretty frequently and I don't know what the current message is though.