What Crimes Disqualify You From The Military

Can You Join The Military If You Smoked Weed

Written by Everett Bledsoe / Fact checked by Brain Bartell

If you come from a marijuana-friendly state, you may wonder, Can you join the military if you smoked weed? First , you need to know that the military is NOT lenient on the use of weed, regardless of the state you come from.

Depending on the specifics, you may or may not be able to join the military after having smoked weed. Though one thing is for sure: you CANNOT smoke weed once you enlist. Keep reading to get all the details!

The Official Stance Of The Us Military On Drugs And Alcohol

The Department of Defense and the United States Military do not and will not condone any illegal use of drugs or alcohol. The stance of the military starts with the legal issue of drugs and alcohol. If its against the law, it can keep you from joining. In addition, use of drugs and alcohol violates the high standard of performance and behavior expected from those joining the United States Armed Forces.

Its also mentally, physically and psychologically damaging and can jeopardize the safety of others. Drug use can also lead to criminal prosecution and discharge from the military. All recruits are carefully screened and you can expect to be asked the following questions:

• Have you ever used drugs?
• Have you been charged with or convicted of a drug or alcohol related offenses?
• Have you ever been physically or psychologically dependent upon alcohol or any type of drug?
• Have you ever sold, traded or trafficked illegal drugs for profit?

If you answer yes to either of the last to questions you will likely be ineligible for enlistment. However, answering yes to the first two questions may not keep you from joining. If you have used drugs or been charged or convicted with a drug or alcohol related offenses, you will likely have to go through a drug abuse screening and detail the specific circumstances of the situation before you can join the military.

What Crimes Disqualify You From The Military

If you have any criminal convictions, youll still be eligible to join the military if you have had no run-ins with the law for the past three years. If you have one or more convictions on your record, youll have to have them expunged or sealed by the court, or have the records otherwise legally declared not to make the convictions count. However, many people apply for entry to the military without considering the possible consequences of an arrest or conviction. This article outlines the potential repercussions of a relatively minor conviction, including how it could affect your ability to join the military..

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Can You Join The Military Instead Of Going To Jail

72B, Chapter 3, Section 2, Part H, Paragraph 12 states: “Applicants may not enlist as an alternative to criminal prosecution, indictment, incarceration, parole, probation, or another punitive sentence. They are ineligible for enlistment until the original assigned sentence would have been completed.”

What Should I Know About Speaking To A Recruiter About My Weed Use

The important criterion is honesty. If you are honest with your military recruiter, you can ask for a waiver and still be considered for enlistment.

When exchanging with your military recruiter, always be upfront. Do not try to hide or lie about your record, especially those concerning legal issues. The military has a network to check with, including local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to verify your profile. As such, just assume that they will know any and all information on your logs, and do NOT conceal anything!

Questions that a military recruiter may ask you:

• Have you ever used drugs?
• Have you been convicted of a drug offense or a drug-tested offense?
• Have you been physically/psychologically dependent on any drug or alcohol?
• Have you sold, traded, or trafficked illegal drugs for profit?

Moreover, it is easier to remember the truth. You will be asked about your drug use many times throughout your recruitment process. If you lie and forget what you said the first time you lied, your inconsistency will disqualify you.

However, in any of the branches, experimentation of weed is not as terrible as distributing it or using it chronically or distributing it. In general, the less hefty your involvement with weed, the higher your chance of seeking a waiver for using it.

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Why Sealed And Expunged Dont Matter

You may have been a teen when you committed the felony, which means your record could be sealed. However, nothing is sealed from the U.S. Government and a felony will be found by the military if you try to join.

You could get your felony expunged from your record, but the government and military will still find out about it. This wont help your case if you have a serious offense on your record.

Medical Conditions That Can Keep You From Joining The Military

Below, you will find details from the Army‘s “Standards of Medical Fitness.” These standards generally apply to all other branches as well. Remember that most of these conditions are not necessarily permanently disqualifying, but they are red flags.

If you have had a medical complication at any time in your life that is mentioned here, then you need to tell your recruiter. They will tell you whether your condition can be waived, or if it is permanently disqualifying.

Remember that if you do not get an official waiver and your condition later is discovered, you most likely will be dishonorably discharged for fraudulent enlistment. The choice is yours.

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Can You Enter A Military Base With A Felony

Yes, there is no restriction to enter a military base with a felony. Though, there is no such thing as a felony. The only distinction the military has is between Security Clearance and Non-Security Clearance. Security Clearance must be obtained before entering a military base. If you have a felony and would like to join the military, you must first know what department you want to work in. The correct advice would be to discuss this matter with an attorney and/or contact the HR or Recruiting office prior to enlistment. You can find your local HR or Recruiting office on the following link: https://www.sss.gov/About-Us/Contact-Us/Pages/Contact-the-Recruiter-or-HR-Officals.aspx.

Condition #6 Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety is an issue that affects every single human. However, some individuals have a harder time appropriately dealing with it than others. In certain cases, they may even get diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

The military realizes that some anxiety is normal. However, since anxiety is considered a mental health issue it will check your medical background for any perceived risks.

The biggest mental health factor the military assesses is a history of suicidal behavior. Though that is more connected to depression than anxiety, it will also consider previous or current issues.

Some disqualifying conditions include:

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Likewise, specific phobias such as a fear of specific animals like spiders, snakes, or dogs , fear of specific environments like heights or thunderstorms , and situational fears like bridges or driving can all be grounds for military disqualification.

Of course, this all depends on the extent of your phobia, and whether or not youve been treated for it in the recent past.

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Disqualifying Offenses And Other Factors

See Parts A, B and C below for information on disqualifying criminal offenses. In addition to the disqualifying criminal offenses listed below, TSA may determine that an applicant is not eligible for the application program based on analyses of the following:

a) Interpol and other international information, as appropriate.b) Terrorist watchlists, other government databases and related information.c) Any other information relevant to determining applicant eligibility or an applicants identity.

TSA may also determine that an applicant is not eligible if the security threat assessment process reveals extensive foreign or domestic criminal convictions, a conviction for a serious crime not listed in Part A or B below , or a period of foreign or domestic imprisonment that exceeds 365 consecutive days.

TSA may also determine that an applicant is not eligible based on analyses of records related to violations of transportation security regulatory requirements. These violations include security-related offenses at an airport, on board an aircraft , at a maritime port, in connection with air cargo, and other regulatory violations.

TSA PreCheck® applicants must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals or lawful permanent residents.

PART A

PERMANENT DISQUALIFYING CRIMINAL OFFENSES

An applicant will be disqualified if he or she was convicted, pled guilty , or found not guilty by reason of insanity for any of the following felonies regardless of when they occurred:

PART B

How Can I Join The Army Without The Asvab

It might be possible to join the Army without the Asvab. I dont think its the best route for you, though. You are right that if you are interested in joining the Army, you need to take the Asvab exam. It is the aptitude test that determines your suitability for joining the Army. It is made up of the following sections: Arithmetic Reasoning, Math Knowledge, Word Knowledge & Paragraph Comprehension. The passing score for this exam is 31. It has a variety of benefits. The Army has a good health care program for people in their care. They have a decent pension program, which is part of the reason why they always want more recruits. There are many people currently serving in the Army who also decide to retire from the Army. It is a decent job option. However, it is more than likely that you would have to take the Asvab exam if you plan to join the Army..

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Dishonorable Dischargefrom The Military

Prospective firemen who have served their country in the militaryusually have a huge advantage over those who havent.

Generally, it is believed that although military veteransmay not possess as many certifications as the other regular candidates, theyoffer so much more thanks to their level of experience.

Aspiring firefighters with military backgrounds are usuallymore mature, regardless of their age. Whats more, they are physically fit andunderstand the need for commitment as well as the need to work as a team.

When you are discharged from the military service, there area number of ways this can happen. Youcan be discharged honorably, for medical reasons, dishonorably and so on.

However, the type of discharge you get significantly affectsthe quality of life you will get as a civilian. A dishonorable militarydischarge will almost always automatically bar you from becoming a firefighter.

If you didnt know, an individual with this type ofdischarge was more than likely found guilty for committing some kind of crimeor dishonorable act during their time in the military.

So, if you are former military with a dishonorabledischarge, just know that you cannot own a firearm, you are not entitled to anybenefits and you are likely to have massive problems securing a job in civiliansociety.

The firefighting community would not usually be interestedin hiring someone with a dishonorable discharge.

Use this list as the bare minimum and do your best to keepyou record as clean as possible.

How A Reckless Driving Attorney Can Help Those Charged With Reckless Driving While In The Military

If you’re hoping to enlist or are currently serving in the military, don’t simply pay your ticket and accept the consequences. An experienced reckless driving attorney can help you build a strong defense, using strategies such as a speedometer calibration or agreeing to complete a driver improvement clinic. You may be able to have the charge reduced to a lesser infraction such as improper driving or dropped all together. To learn more, call to schedule a free, no-obligation initial consultation with Virginia attorney Charles V. Hardenbergh.

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What Happens If A Soldier Commits A Crime

A military crime is a criminal offense committed by a member of the military against either military law or the civilian law of the nation in which the military service is performed. The Uniform Code of Military Justice is the primary law that addresses offenses by members of the United States armed forces. The UCMJ came into being in 1951 and has been amended several times since then. It covers all military members, including enlisted personnel, warrant officers, and commissioned officers. The UCMJ is found in chapter 47 of Title 10 of the United States Code. In addition to the UCMJ, service members may be subject to the civilian criminal laws of the state in which they perform their duties..

Joining The Military With A Criminal Record

We get this question a lot especially from people with felonies. A young and brave man or woman wants to join the military and serve their country, but their past life holds a criminal record.

Is joining the United States Armed Forces possible with a criminal record possible?

The short answer is that it depends on what is on your record. Each of the six branches of the United States Military have their own moral character requirements that need to be satisfied to enlist. Having an extensive criminal record can cause you to be rejected from enlisting in the military.

Military recruits must undergo a Moral Character Screening Of Credit and Criminal Background. This process screens for adverse criminal records, credit issues, or juvenile adjudication records. This screening process is rigorous, and joining the military with a criminal record can sometimes be difficult. It is important to note that federal law requires disclosure of any past charges or arrests. Under Title 32, Chapter V, Section 571.3 of the Code of Federal Regulations, applicants to the military must disclose sealed and/or expunged criminal cases as well as juvenile records. If you are not honest at this stage, you may be committing a federal offense.

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What Crimes Disqualify You From The Navy

Any violation considered a felony requires waiver approval from HQ Navy Recruiting Command to enlist.Felony Waivers.

Can you join the Marines with a misdemeanor?

Joining the Marine Corps With a Misdemeanor A misdemeanor does not preclude you from serving in the Marines. While there are some offenses this branch will not waive, there are many for which a waiver may be obtained. Waiver approval must be granted at different levels of command, depending on the offense.

What happens if you get a misdemeanor while in the Army?

The short answer is it certainly could. Your military career could be ended by a civilian criminal charge, even if it is only a misdemeanor. Misdemeanors vary by state criminal codes. Misdemeanors can include anything from assault to public intoxication to drug possession.

Reckless Driving And Military Enlistment

How a reckless driving charge will affect your ability to serve our country depends on what branch of the military you wish to join. The following are some basic guidelines:

• AirForce. Reckless driving is a Category 4 moral offense in the Air Force. You’ll be disqualified if you have two or more Category 4 offenses within the last three years, although a recruiting squadron commander may be able to get the disqualification waived. Other common Category 4 offenses include disorderly conduct and unlawful possession of alcohol or tobacco.
• Army. If you have two or more misdemeanor charges on your record, including reckless driving, you’ll need a waiver to enlist. Four or more misdemeanor convictions will prevent you from enlistment.
• Navy or Marines. Reckless driving is considered a serious offense regardless of whether it’s a misdemeanor or felony charge. Misdemeanor convictions can be waived at the district level, but a felony reckless driving conviction will require a waiver from the regional headquarters. This typically only happens when recruiting rates are lower than anticipated.

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Getting A Moral Character Waiver

Fortunately, a criminal record does not automatically bar you from military service. An applicant with a criminal record may obtain a something called a Criminal Record Waiver.

Generally speaking, criminal record waivers can be used for the following types of offenses, subject to some limited restrictions:

• Minor Traffic Offenses
• Juvenile Offenses
• Misdemeanor Offenses

A waiver is not required if you were merely arrested and not charged. A waiver is also not required if the charges were ultimately dismissed without a finding of guilt.

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Felony offenses create the greatest difficulty for obtaining a waiver. The military has their own definition for a felony offense. The federal definition of a felony may be different than the definition in your state of conviction. Many times there may be a way to reduce your felony offense to a misdemeanor, which may create an easier path to enlistment.

The military can at its own discretion decide if it will approve or deny a criminal record waiver and the military has a specific process it normally goes through when determining whether or not to enlist an individual who is applying with a record waiver. Several factors are considered and unfortunately if you are denied, there is no opportunity to appeal. It is extremely important to know exactly what you are doing if you are applying to the U.S. Armed Forces with a criminal record.

What Criminal Record Disqualifies You From The Military

Will the Navy accept me with a misdemeanor?

Having a misdemeanor on your record wont disqualify you from enlisting in the Navy. However, any criminal record speaks to your overall moral character, which is an element of your application review by a recruiting officer. Disclosing any criminal history is legally required when you apply.

Can someone with a criminal record join the military?

There are six branches of the U.S. Military including the Army, Army National Guard, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and U.S. Coast Guard. Fortunately, a criminal record does not automatically bar you from military service. An applicant with a criminal record may obtain a something called a Criminal Record Waiver.

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