DUI 15 years ago

[youngatheart]

I have read so many things about waivers, I would like to know if there is any chance to get a waiver for a dui that happend 15yrs ago (I'm 35) - I do not drink and haven't in some time.
I would LOVE to be an MP and hate the idea that a mistake I made 15 yrs ago will keep me from it!!
Does anyone know someone that was able to get a waiver for something like that?


Thanks for any info!

[Echo]

Here's the "standard answer" when it comes to ANY waiver.

There is simply no way to even guess whether or not a waiver will be approved, even if someone has gotten a waiver for the same condition in the past, or -- conversely -- if nobody has ever gotten a waiver for the condition in the past. Each and every waiver is evaluated INDIVIDUALLY, using SEVERAL individual factors, including but not limited to:

1. Is the condition progressive?

2. Is the condition subject to aggravation by military service?

3. Will the condition preclude satisfactory completion of prescribed training and subsequent military duty?

4. Will the condition constitute an undue hazard to the examine or to others, particularly under combat conditions?

5. Is the recruit *EXCEPTIONALLY* qualified, otherwise? (ASVAB scores, etc.)

6. How are current recruiting goals? How bad does that particular branch of the service need this particular applicant at this particular point-in-time?

There have been several cases of waivers approved for a specific condition, only to see a waiver disapproved for the same condition just a few weeks later.

Remember, if you require a waiver, that means that you are disqualified for military service. The waiver procedure is the process of you "begging" the military to make an exception in your particular case. There is no "right" to have a waiver approved.

[youngatheart]

Thank you for your reply. It was informative and helpful!
I do realize it was my mistake and a waiver is a gift to anyone that gets one.
I don't expect one. I was just curious if my situation was completely outrageous to even request a waiver.
I have pretty much resigned myself to the fact that I can not be an MP - it is just something I really want to do and it is hard to swallow the fact that a mistake I made 15 yrs ago will keep me from fulfilling a dream.
On the bright side, I hope my mistake and misery will be a lesson to my son to make better choices than I did - and help him realize that every bad choice has a consequence - some lasting a life time.
Thanks again for the reply. I appreciate it!

[Echo]

youngatheart,

None of us are perfect, we've all made mistakes... if you want this bad enough... GO FOR IT!

The qualifications for 31B are shown on this page... please make sure you read both pages to include the "What's it like to be an Army MP?" link on Page 2:

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjobs/a/31b.htm

Best of Luck to YOU!

[JB27]

YoungAtHeart Are you a friend of Bill's? If not disregard. If so please respond. My name is JB27. Sorry to put this on forum if you know what im talking about, I cannot email on this computer for some reason.

[lee258]

If all you have is 1 DUI then you can join with no waiver, but you can not be a MP.

[Kra]

What if a DUI has been esponged? Could a person become an MP then?

I spoke with an officer recruiter and stated I was interested in MP and he said I would just need a waiver. Question, are there different specs enlisted vs. officer on dui?

[AbnMtn]

The process of removing convictions or adverse diposition of charges through expungement so that under local state law the applicant has no record of conviction could be a touchy subject when it comes to the military even though the enlisment criteria is clear about it. To begin with, any one considering joining should disclose all incidents of criminal behavior or law violations to the recruiter whether they were as a juvenile or adult and whether they are currently on his/her record or have been expunged. This requirements ensures applicants are of "strong moral character and belief". The purpose is to minimize the entrance of persons who are likely to become disciplinary cases, present security risks, or who could disrupt good order, morale, and discipline.

Despite the legal effect of an expungement, it does not change the fact that the person commmitted the offense or criminal act. By the same token, we understand that none of us are perfect and that's why the waivers exist to provide an opportunity to those who understand they made a mistake and corrected their behavior. Disclosing everything, whether it's in your records or not is a strong sign that a person is owning up to the mistake they made. There's also the possibility that, while charges may have been expunged from local state files, they may still show up at the national criminal archives and if they weren't disclose it will cause an automatic moral disqualification. This becomes critical for MOS' which require a security clearance because you can almost bet that all data bases will be checked for records on your name or SSN.

[kenlediver]

YoungAtHeart Are you a friend of Bill's? If not disregard. If so please respond. My name is JB27. Sorry to put this on forum if you know what im talking about, I cannot email on this computer for some reason.

Not to butt in on someone else's post but I know Bill quite well. Have been to his house several times. I usually go in June.

I am hoping to enlist at the end of the summer and hope the waiver Gods look favorably upon me.