Do I have to tell my employer about my military service?

Tony Wynn — Sun, 24 Jun 2018 17:25:36 -0400

I was discharged during boot camp due to medical condition. I still want to serve and talked to recruiters from all branches but everyone says its a no go except for air force they said its a maybe. I would also like to join law enforcement but am wondering if i have to even tell them that i went to bootcamp or joined the Navy at all? While being discharged from the Navy someone told me that since i didnt finish boot camp its technically considered as if i never joined the military. Is this true? and if so can i get away with just telling law enforcement agencies that i never joined the service?

While i was in i told my chief i was depressed and i missed my family and they separated me because of it. They told me i had traumatic stress disorder and sent me home after being in separations for 3 weeks.

Thank you all!

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made Jun 24 at 2018 5:27 PM

Capt Gregory Prickett — Sun, 24 Jun 2018 17:27:56 -0400

You are going to have to tell whatever police department you apply to join. They'll find out, and lying on an application by omission is an automatic DQ.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jun 24 at 2018 5:37 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sun, 24 Jun 2018 17:37:24 -0400

Honesty is the best policy.

Response by SPC James Harsh made Jun 24 at 2018 5:40 PM

SPC James Harsh — Sun, 24 Jun 2018 17:40:06 -0400

Would tell about any service if working in law enforcement or something, but not for a regular employer, no need to, maybe tell for a security guard job or something.. Technically one is a Veteran when they finish training.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2018 5:47 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Jun 2018 17:47:29 -0400

Tony Wynn Always be completely honest when asked questions or filling out paperwork. If you are not sure of an answer to a question, ask for clarification.

Response by PO3 Phyllis Maynard made Jun 24 at 2018 6:33 PM

PO3 Phyllis Maynard — Sun, 24 Jun 2018 18:33:45 -0400

If you don't being in the military and a potential employer finds out, you can be fired for falisfyibg your background.

If you were told you had post traumatic stress disorder, you should file a claim for service connection. If you served at least 90 days, you can file a claim.

To be sure about the legalities of misleading information, go to your County Veterans Service Officer. Their job is to help veterans once they are back in civilian life. So these representatives work for your local government. Go to the courthouse in your community and ask for the County Veterans Service Officer. An employee should be able to assist you with being directed to this person. Best to you.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Jun 24 at 2018 6:49 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Sun, 24 Jun 2018 18:49:34 -0400

Honesty is the best policy.

Response by Tony Wynn made Jun 24 at 2018 7:45 PM

Tony Wynn — Sun, 24 Jun 2018 19:45:57 -0400

Just to clarify my intent is not to hide the fact that i was enlisted. I never passed boot camp so i was wondering if i should even mention that i was in the military.

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Jun 24 at 2018 8:09 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Sun, 24 Jun 2018 20:09:23 -0400

That is a Bad way to let someone Know that you shouldn't be Hired because you can't tell the Truth so its better to tell the truth and don't lie about because they will find out any way? so yes I would tell them.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Jun 24 at 2018 9:46 PM

SPC Erich Guenther — Sun, 24 Jun 2018 21:46:08 -0400

"someone told me that since i didnt finish boot camp its technically considered as if i never joined the military". You shipped from a MEPS and arrived at an Active Duty military location. They have a record of it. I used to work at USAREC, they keep that record for 2 years and then it gets sent to a Federal Archive somewhere. So it really comes down to what kind of a background check can your LEO agency afford. If it is the Moosejaw Canada Police Department, you might slip by. Big City Police Department or the Feds, they are going to find out. BTW, everytime in your life you fill out a USPS Change of Address card, that goes into a DB as well and becomes public information for background and address checks.

And one more thing. Typically if you have a "Security Interview" which follows a background investigation to ask you about descrepancies. Usually the interviewer is a former Big City Detective (Cop) or a former U.S. Marshal or something. Best not to try to cover items up in that interview either they are not stupid. My Security interviewer was a former LAPD Detective. If I showed any hesitation in answering a question or looked nervous he would stop the interview and ask why. BTW, I am not a Federal Employee......just for the record. So you never know how deep they will dig even if you do base it on employer.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Jun 24 at 2018 10:10 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Sun, 24 Jun 2018 22:10:43 -0400

Absolutely do NOT lie when applying for any law enforcement job.

You will be required to fill out an application. Any lie found on the application is sure way to get disqualified. Also most states require a psych exam and polygraph. Your chances of being found out are high. There is a saying in law enforcement, “you lie, you die.”

Don’t even think about it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2018 10:51 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Jun 2018 22:51:47 -0400

Don't try to "get away with" (your words) not disclosing a significant portion of your background if you want employment with any government entity that conducts background checks. You indicate an interest in law enforcement. Well, they conduct background checks. So don't lie. You're not going to "get away with" anything. And that brief period of service IS relevant and significant... precisely BECAUSE it was brief and precisely BECAUSE of the reason that you provide for the brevity. Be aware that something doesn't "click" in your explanation of the experience. I realize that a posting in a public forum is not necessarily the place where you want to get into details of what actually happened, but be prepared to provide a full, complete explanation of the circumstances of both your entry and exit from boot camp to competent authority when asked. No beating around the bush... and no trying to "get away with" anything. Provide the full truth... and then let the adjudicators decide what they may. If you are not prepared to do this, then look for a job in another career field.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2018 1:33 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 01:33:29 -0400

You’ll have a far shorter career in law enforcement if you lie on your application form by omitting your brief military stint. Truth is, they’ll know a few seconds after they run your NSA, NCIS, FBI checks. It’s all in the computer!!!

Response by Cpl Bill Johnson made Jun 25 at 2018 8:11 AM

Cpl Bill Johnson — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 08:11:12 -0400

Being discharged for missing your family probably won't disqualify you, concealing it, if you are asked, certainly will... and it WILL come out.

Response by Susan Foster made Jun 25 at 2018 8:26 AM

Susan Foster — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 08:26:45 -0400

You are not required to tell anyone on a resume, nor do you have to mention it in an interview, especially since it was only 3 weeks. You do have to disclose it in any background check, so if it's a job where you will have one, I'd put it on up front. When you are asked about it, just say you were released due to medical reasons. That is true, but you do not have to give them details (unless an investigator asks). Just remember like on a witness stand: always tell the truth. That being said, you don't have to tell everyone your personal business either. I'm a little surprised you were dismissed for admitting you were depressed and I'm surprised a non-psychologist (I'm assuming) diagnosed you that soon. But that's water under the bridge and there's no reason you can't move on. Why do you want to join law enforcement. Often, getting to the bottom of why we want to do something helps us key in on what is going to fulfill us. Let me know if I can help.

Response by AB Mark Howard made Jun 25 at 2018 3:29 PM

AB Mark Howard — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 15:29:03 -0400

As a former Navy Man, I would tell them about it. you never know what they might have in place for Servicemen and Servicewomen

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jun 25 at 2018 5:18 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 17:18:26 -0400

It will show in your records for your entire lifetime. That you enlisted and that you were discharged and the type discharge. Failure to tell the truth will get you dumped from employment faster than a scalded running cat.

Response by CMDCM Tom Vinson made Jun 27 at 2018 10:19 PM

CMDCM Tom Vinson — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 22:19:54 -0400

Always disclose your military service, no matter how short the time was, and tell them why you were separated. As stated, the backgrou d checks will disclose the reasons anyway. Be up front, tell the truth and show them you are a person of integrity. Even if they don't accept you, you can still move forward knowing you did the right thing.

Response by SPC Patricia K. (Williams) Elliott made Jun 30 at 2018 12:55 PM

SPC Patricia K. (Williams) Elliott — Sat, 30 Jun 2018 12:55:15 -0400

Definitely! When applying for a job especially in law enforcement it's better to be honest and upfront!

Response by SCPO Lonny Randolph made Jul 2 at 2018 12:52 PM

SCPO Lonny Randolph — Mon, 02 Jul 2018 12:52:57 -0400

If you were discharged from Boot due to a medical condition, you should have no qualms about disclosing that information. If the medical condition disqualifies you from the LEA position, you are wasting your time trying to hide it. If on the other hand you were not discharged simply for a medical reason - a disciplinary infraction for example, you are wasting your time looking for a position in law enforcement. After all if you cannot follow orders or behave appropriately in boot camp, you are unlikely to do better in law enforcement. Without being too judgemental here your post seems a bit sketchy to me. Either way you look at this, an honest individual would disclose his military service and it's nature as a matter of course.

Response by SPC Earl Semler made Jul 3 at 2018 6:10 PM

SPC Earl Semler — Tue, 03 Jul 2018 18:10:00 -0400

OMG!! you got separated because you were homesick? I I had told my DI that I would still be running in full field pack and I got out 50 years ago!!

Response by SPC Earl Semler made Jul 3 at 2018 6:13 PM

SPC Earl Semler — Tue, 03 Jul 2018 18:13:12 -0400

Now as to your question, yes tell them you were separated on a medical during training. You don't have to tell them the reason for the medical that is private info covered under federal law.

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Jul 3 at 2018 7:56 PM

SFC Christopher Taggart — Tue, 03 Jul 2018 19:56:02 -0400

If you're considering a career in Law Enforcement, then yes! It'll be found out thru the background check anyway and it'll be very embarrassing to have to explain something you didn't say before.

Response by Cpl John Cogswell made Jul 10 at 2018 11:29 AM

Cpl John Cogswell — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 11:29:37 -0400

If you fabricate, misrepresent your history, it will come up during the background check process and you will absolutely be flagged as unreliable, which will end any further efforts to pursue serving. My advice? If you genuinely want to serve, make sure you get clearance and a letter from an independent psychologist that you are currently fit to serve and present that along with all the other necessary documentation when you visit a recruiter.

There's no guarantee it will be enough to open the door for you, but if you are not 100% transparently honest during the process you could actually wind up spending time incarcerated for fraud after they strip you out of your role, and just you down.

My 2 cents? Just even considering misrepresenting the facts should be cause for you drop your pursuit of military service. We need a military that lives and dies on its integrity, or lack thereof. There would and should be no role for anyone, especially in law enforcement if they have a tendency to skew the facts.

Ride hard, shoot straight, and always speak the truth. - Teddy Roosevelt

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2018 4:43 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 16:43:48 -0400

that's not a big deal unless you still get depressed from being away for short periods. you should have been evaluated.

Response by SGT Chris Padgett made Jul 13 at 2018 6:26 PM

SGT Chris Padgett — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 18:26:24 -0400

I love all the judgemental answers from people who went from high school to the military and don’t have a clue how the world really works. On the application there will be a box asking if you were everything in the military, check yes. There may be a box asking what branch, check it. There will be dates of service, fill it in. I can count on one finger the number of times I’ve been asked to prove military service. That was at the post office. Contrary to what current service members have been told, civilians don’t care about military service. Don’t drink the Kool Aid!

Response by CPO Matthew Bigelow made Jul 15 at 2018 3:24 PM

CPO Matthew Bigelow — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 15:24:01 -0400

Another problem that may come up is the lapse in employment. Why didn't you work for that month or so? An employer is going to want to know that. I've had it asked in all post Navy job interviews for the time after retiring leading to that interview. You don't have to list military service, nor do you have to list every job you've had. You will want to highlight jobs that gave experience that can be transferred over into law enforcement.

Bieng deceptive about your time in the military, even if it was just a short stint in RTC, a s not how you want to start a job, especially in law enforcement. Listing a two-month stint in the Navy is neither a good nor bad mark on your application/resume; it's simply a record of training and work experience.

Response by SSgt Douglas King made Jul 20 at 2018 7:47 PM

SSgt Douglas King — Fri, 20 Jul 2018 19:47:43 -0400

Best to be open and honest, even if you did not complete your basic training. Chances are they will find out, and if you lied about that, you just might not get hired. Best wishes and good luck my friend.

Response by Sgt Carlos Barrera made Jul 23 at 2018 1:09 PM

Sgt Carlos Barrera — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 13:09:03 -0400

please, we all missed our families, we all felt alone; but a lot of us grew up and we became adults.
I am sorry, but it seems like you are asking for sympathy

Response by SP5 Robert Kirk made Aug 10 at 2018 10:58 PM

SP5 Robert Kirk — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 22:58:00 -0400

Tony, Do you honestly think that a career in law enforcement is the place for someone who suffers from depression and separation anxiety? Any kind of background check will discover your service, brief as it might have been and the reason for your separation. It might be a good idea to seek treatment for your issues then you may be able to state that you no longer suffer from those problems.

Response by SP5 Rich Levesque made Aug 13 at 2018 3:45 PM

SP5 Rich Levesque — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 15:45:30 -0400

Tony...…. After my military time, I served 23 years as a patrol officer/investigator/supervisor. I strongly suggest that you tell them everything. Leave no detail out. Besides, if the police academy is as physically demanding as it was years ago, the condition will come out anyway even if they don't find your Navy service in the complete background check they run on you, and that's not going to happen. Tell them everything!

Response by 1LT Tom Sharrard made Aug 16 at 2018 7:59 AM

1LT Tom Sharrard — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 07:59:03 -0400

Be honest. Your question has two parts as far as a background investigation. First you are talking about a period of employment. They are going to look at that gap and ask where you were. If you say unemployed, that is not actually true. Secondly each state has rules as to law enforcement certifications. Inside those rules they address different types of military discharges and what kinds would disqualify an applicant (think dishonorable or less). Be honest, it is what it is.

Response by SGT Robert McClelland made Aug 22 at 2018 11:19 AM

SGT Robert McClelland — Wed, 22 Aug 2018 11:19:12 -0400

Tony, How can you be honest in your working law enforcement if you're not honest upfront about your military experience. What happens if you get "Depressed" during a hostage situation and cannot do your job? Life is stressful, learn to live with it and be honest. As SFC Brian Johnston stated, Law Enforcement does not seem like the right career path for you. You asked if you can "Get away with something" so I am several others are giving you our opinions, even though they are not the answers you want.

Response by Bill Husztek made Aug 27 at 2018 3:03 PM

Bill Husztek — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 15:03:12 -0400

They also serve who stay home and defend our Constitution's limits on government.

Response by LCpl Dan McTiernan made Sep 1 at 2018 10:42 AM

LCpl Dan McTiernan — Sat, 01 Sep 2018 10:42:05 -0400

Failure to put your employment information on an application for employment is "falsifying an application" and makes you eligible for elimination from consideration or termination of employment. Applying for law enforcement positions with the attitude of "can I get away with" is as concerning as falsifying information. Were you to have been hired and one of my employees brought this information to me you would most probably be immediately escorted out of the building. Based on your articulation of the question, my belief is that you would not pass an initial screen much less receive a job offer.

Think of the position you put your employer in by not passing the "red faced test", that is is there anything that you would be embarrassed about should it become public knowledge. Your separation itself is a medical discharge and should be disclosed. It will most probably come up in a background check.

Response by SSgt John Carter made Sep 2 at 2018 7:48 AM

SSgt John Carter — Sun, 02 Sep 2018 07:48:26 -0400

It’s still a job you held and it’s still military service even though you don’t qualify to be called a veteran. The slightest omission can disqualify you or make you ineligible to apply at a later date.

Response by SMSgt Clayton Cortinas made Sep 3 at 2018 11:34 AM

SMSgt Clayton Cortinas — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 11:34:15 -0400

If you decide to apply for law enforcement or firefighter you will receive a background check similar to that required for a military security clearance. Their training academies can be very rigorous and, again, very similar to military boot training. Most likely, if you had the problem you described while in basic it could resurface during this training. If your original problem was just a matter of immaturity and you've grown since then, give it a shot. Whichever you decide, you really must inform them because they will find out. Good luck.

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Sep 6 at 2018 12:39 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 12:39:02 -0400

There is still a record of you being in the military they have ways of finding alot you probably more than you think.
SSG MARK Franzen
USA VET

Response by SSG Clayton Blackwell made Sep 16 at 2018 11:48 AM

SSG Clayton Blackwell — Sun, 16 Sep 2018 11:48:12 -0400

I've done backgrounds in my 20 years in LE and if you failed to disclose or outright said no, when I did my investigation on you, chances are I would find this very post in addition to your service record. That would be an automatic no go, lying in LE is a career ender. Matter of fact, as SFC Brian Johnston said, just reading this post would raise a lot of questions about your integrity which we would have to discuss in length during background interviews.

Response by SSG Rick Miller made Sep 17 at 2018 11:27 AM

SSG Rick Miller — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 11:27:18 -0400

Your employer can ask about military service, but they can't ask about character of service. If they ask for your DD214, make sure you give them the short copy. Just remember, a lie of omission is still a lie. It's much easier to be truthful.

Response by CPT Don Kemp made Sep 23 at 2018 10:05 PM

CPT Don Kemp — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 22:05:49 -0400

Tony, as an adult, you will begin to see that actions have consequences. One consequence of separation from the military after 3 Weeks is you will be explaining this until you develop a track record that supersedes this. I suspect that the conditions which caused you to separate from the military will also cause issues in law enforcement training.
Buck up. You can get past this slow start. Or you can continue to repeat it. The choice may not be easy, but it is your choice. And, as you now know, actions have consequences.

Response by SSG(P) D. Wright Downs made Sep 30 at 2018 11:46 PM

SSG(P) D. Wright Downs — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 23:46:39 -0400

Just spill your guts when you fill out a job application for law enforcement or for federal employment. Don't hold anything back. They will find out. When I enlisted I wrote about being detained at the Canadian border for not declaring firearms when going over...I was just a passenger in the vehicle and the firearm was not mine. They found out, I was on a list. When the FBI did my background check, it was right there...INTERPOL had me. SO, had I not mentioned it, I would not have had the job nor the Army. It behooves one to be honest. Never know when something will bite you in the butt.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2018 10:48 AM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Oct 2018 10:48:09 -0400

Well, I think we are talking about semantics here. Because Navy boot camp isn’t that long and you didn’t finish it, you were probably not given a Honorable, General under Honorable Conditions, or Other than Honorable Conditions. When you got kicked out, they probably kicked you out so early in the process, correct me if I am wrong but under “uncharacterized” which is used for people under 6 months who fail to adapt to the military or the lifestyle. It is a rather quick process and isn’t anything negative except the fact that you don’t have what it takes to be in the military. As far as a resume, I would mention it. Technically, you did not receive a bad discharge. Just not one you brag about. They can ask you what discharge you received but they will not find out what the story was around it...but the timeframe of your “service” will say enough for a normal person to realize that it wasn’t enough time for you to gain the life experiences of true contract fulfillment service.

As far as coming back in, I seriously doubt they would take you back since you had your shot. Not sure that you have done anything since than to demonstrate that you have grown or that you are now mentally mature enough to handle the challenge. Not to be mean but I guess my question for you is, why should they give you another shot? Not everyone is made for military service and I do hope you have matured since your few weeks at boot camp so that you can make it as a cop somewhere. I hope that with all the issues police go through, that you are aware and mentally ready for police work which can go from 0 to 100 at any moment. Good luck and be honest.

Response by 1SG Ernest Stull made Oct 17 at 2018 7:52 AM

1SG Ernest Stull — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 07:52:59 -0400

If you received an honorable discharge from the Navy and served 188 days then you were in. My advice is to tell any potential employer that you served. My question to you is why do you want to hide this? It sounds like you might be a little dodgey so the police is not for you.

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Mar 7 at 2019 9:33 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 21:33:12 -0500

WHY ON EARTH WOULD ASK A QUESTION THAT YES WOULD TELL THEM THAT WHAT ARE YOU SCARED OF? They do have way to check your back ground and what jobs you had. I would tell your employer IF I were the Employer and you had not disclosed that you were in the military and I found out Later I would fire you and let be know to the un
employment office to put in your records that this person can't be trusted.
SSG MARK FRANZEN
USA COLD WAR VETERAN

Response by CPL Jay Strickland made Jan 27 at 2021 7:02 PM

CPL Jay Strickland — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 19:02:09 -0500

I would say mention you were in briefly and say you were given a medical discharge or an Entry-level separation due to a medical issue ( look at your paper work to see which is more accurate). Normally they wont ask more and assume you had a broken bone or some such in basic.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Feb 1 at 2021 3:35 PM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 15:35:19 -0500

It is better to be up front. If it is material enough that it would matter on the front end, and they find out about it on the back end, your goose will be cooked.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Feb 1 at 2021 5:45 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 17:45:51 -0500

It depends on the employer. If you didn’t get a DD214 showing you’re a veteran then you didn’t really serve. Many private sector employers won’t care. It might show up on a background check. Don’t lie about it but don’t emphasize.