Want to go into the Army *question*

[1Luv4SF]

So I briefly spoke with a recruitement officer on the phone and we had a nice conversation and he asked if I had ever been arrested to which I replied yes. He asked "for what" and I replied, "possesion of a controlled substance while driving, but that was almost 4 years ago and all charges were dropped". He then rudely said, "You cant get in. You are not what we are looking for." And then he hung up abruptly. Needless to say this really pissed me off! I guess I should have never told him in the 1st place. But I'm not sure what type of background checks they run or anything. So the only thing on my record is a driving on a suspended licence misdemeanor and thats it. What should I do? Try another recruitment office?

[Rugby Tiger]

i wish i could say that i knew for certain if it would show up. remember arrest doesn't equal conviction. i knew plenty of guys in my unit who got waivers for things worse than that- guys who had been in jail. it might depend on your job as well. if youre going for one with a security clearance you might not be able to get it right off the bat.

the recruiter (it was an officer?) sounds like a jerk- a breed that is not at all rare in the army. my advice is talk to someone else. try talking in person as well. if you can get in then go for it but remember the recruiter is there only to get you in the door, he doesn't have to care about what happens to you after you ship out. any offer he makes you, make sure you get it in writing and in your contract. some recruiters will b.s. the hell outta potential recruits.
all in all the army is a pretty decent gig. it does have its own special brand of idiocy at times but if you can get over that then you're fine. also, choose a job that has a civilian counterpart- i didn't and im paying the price now.
good luck.

[tyrist]

Don't give up and keep trying. You might be having trouble because right now there is no real shortage of volunteers and recruitment is rather easy. They don't need to make waivers to meet mission.

[760knox]

If you were under 18 at the time, you can try to get your record sealed. Then you should be able to just say nothing happened. If not, then maybe make a few calls to other recruiters.

[1Luv4SF]

Thanks guys. I really appreciate the help. Another thing is that I have a "mild" heart condition called "mitral valve prolapse". Its not that big a deal and I function fine in my life. But it does cause me to occasionally have irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias). Like I said its not that big a deal and I manage fine. Also I have scoliosis in my back which causes "occasional" back pain but I've been managing fine. Are any of these things that can disqualify me from service? If so maybe I should omit that information and see if they even can detect it during my army physical. I just dont want to stick my foot in my mouth again when talking to a recruitment officer.

[JOEKILLA]

PM Zorrm here in calguns, he is an Army Recruiter. He should be able to answer your questions.

JOE

[IrishJoe3]

Look kid, this isn't Chuckee Cheese, there are standards for a reason. I'll be blunt, you have health issues, you have legal issues, you have integrity issues. I suggest you do some soul searching.

Are any of these things that can disqualify me from service? If so maybe I should omit that information

I guess I should have never told him in the 1st place.

[DougJ]

1Luv4SF

You need to be truthful, not just with your recruiter but in all things. If you are willing to lie about these very significant issues, then you should really do some thinking about that. Think about the idea of lying or lying by intentional ommission to get into the Military. How can you parse that with entry into service, where honor and selflessness are such prized attributes?

I think you need to get your mind right, then get an honest assesment from a good recruiter. If your issues prevent you from entering Military Service, then that's the way it is.

Good luck.

[1Luv4SF]

I understand. But 1st of all I dont have integrity issues. I've wanted to get into the army for a long time and serve my country... Is that a bad thing?? Its been suggested by my family and neighbor police officer to not directly come out and tell the recruiter that I have any health problems. They really arent a problem in my life I just dont want to be disqualified before i'm even given a chance. I really want to do this and I KNOW that im physically able to do so. I respect you for serving "IrishJoe3" but you dont need to be condescending.

[IrishJoe3]

I understand. But 1st of all I dont have integrity issues. I've wanted to get into the army for a long time and serve my country... Is that a bad thing?? Its been suggested by my family and neighbor police officer to not directly come out and tell the recruiter that I have any health problems. They really arent a problem in my life I just dont want to be disqualified before i'm even given a chance. I really want to do this and I KNOW that im physically able to do so. I respect you for serving "IrishJoe3" but you dont need to be condescending.

Falsifying government documents (yes, stating on the enlistment documents that you have no health issues in your case is in fact a lie) IS an integrity issue, regardless of how much you want to be in the military. I want a Soldier who will always do the right thing regardless of the personal costs, not one that will lie to get what he wants.


Desiring to enlist in the military and serve your country is an honorable calling, compromising your integrity to get there go against all the values that Soldiers live up to. You don’t want to be disqualified before you’re given a chance, I understand that, but you need to understand that takes a LOT more than desire to be a Soldier, and that some people, no matter how badly they want to enlist, can’t. That’s a cold hard fact of life.

So, you KNOW that you are physically fit enough to enlist, huh? Listen, if the health condition is such that they would disqualify you for having it, there is a reason that you would be disqualified for it. You may be able to function perfectly fine in the civilian world, but the military lifestyle is far different and far more demanding. Basic Trainees have died in boot camp from medical conditions that they hid during the enlistment process because they thought that their health conditions weren’t “really a problem”.

I don’t need to be condescending? I wasn’t, I was being blunt. And if that hurt your feelings, you really won’t fit into the military.

As a senior leader in the US Army, I have seen a lot of selfless heroes in uniform who give their all for the mission and their battle buddies. I have also seen a lot of people in uniform that should not be there and who will one day get one of my heroes killed. Only you know which category you will be in, and starting your military career with a lie is a distinct step in one direction. I’ll let you figure out which direction on your own.

I don’t know you, I am not a doctor and I don’t know your medical conditions. Only you do, which is why you need to do some soul searching.

[1Luv4SF]

I understand what your saying and see where your coming from. But as of now I havent lied to anybody. I just wanted to get peoples opinion and take on the situation. I will be honest and upfront with the recruitment officer and see how it goes.

[IrishJoe3]

I will be honest and upfront with the recruitment officer and see how it goes.

Good, and I do wish you the best of luck, maybe I'll bump into you in uniform a few years down the road

[1Luv4SF]

Sounds good. Good luck to you too.

[Fspeed]

The federal government can get into your background, even getting your record sealed isn't good enough, they can find it. Be honest.

You should be honest about your health as well. I have a similar problem. Had to face fact, that I cannot/should not get in. Stuff happens, i can move on and be a productive person.

Don't let them give you crap for your record, a few years ago it wouldn't have been even a small problem, (waiver granted), but I see posts with people getting all high and mighty, "they don't deserve to wear the uniform". Drop by a recruiter office in person and see what happens.

Remember if you get cuaght lying about you arrests or medical issues, your looking at becoming a felon.

Sees post about heart condition. You can google to see what it says, but I'm betting its a no go. Back probably wouldn't be an issue. Internet can answere 99% of your recruiter questions

[chillin]

a lot of these guys have some good advice. if your going through that much trouble already perhaps its not a good thing. your health problems might not be a concern right now to you, but that's cause your not doing what these enlisted do on a daily bases. they are up before the sunrise and do much more than civilians do by 9am. its very physically tough, and thats just basic, your heart problem might even worsen, consider it. this should not be a blow to your motivation, but take care of your health, cus i know for damn sure the military wont give a rats *** about your heart. they probably will make you do more pushups in basic just to test you. jk. lol but u know what i mean. your health first, dont conceal it, cuz stuff like that ends up biting people in the ***** when they least expect it.