Posted on Jun 24, 2019
Hiding service from employer due to affirmative action?
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Hey, y'all. Ive got a problem. I recently applied at an international company for an armed security position here in the states. They set up an interview for tomorrow, and said to bring all my DD214s. The issue is, I never disclosed any of my previous affiliation with the military. It wouldn't be a problem since I was only ARNG, that's easy to hide. But I have 3 deployments, and 4 DD214s on my record. This company is an affirmative action employer, and aside from my hatred for my "service", I don't want to end up getting hired just because of a law that requires it based off my part time employment with the state, and fed government. They're going to do a thorough background check, so they would find out anyway, but at that point its up to them whether to hire me or not, instead of some law requiring it. It seems though they've already found out. Even though I answered no on all the vet and military questions.
How do I politely admit to them I am "prior service" (even though I was just NG), while at the same time declining to make that a part of my resume, and not come off as shady? Should I email them back today telling them so? I've never had a problem before because the employers just did a very basic check if any. I really want this job, but I only want it if I'm hired for being me not because of an 8 year mistake I made after high school.
Do I confess to it, or just keep hiding it?
Thanks.
How do I politely admit to them I am "prior service" (even though I was just NG), while at the same time declining to make that a part of my resume, and not come off as shady? Should I email them back today telling them so? I've never had a problem before because the employers just did a very basic check if any. I really want this job, but I only want it if I'm hired for being me not because of an 8 year mistake I made after high school.
Do I confess to it, or just keep hiding it?
Thanks.
DD214
Employment
Interview
Resume
Jobs
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 180
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SGT James Graham - You call serving your nation a "mistake," but you look to the very same community for help. Hm. If you didn't disclose it, that is/was completely up to you. The law doesn't require you disclose any of it. I would e-mail the company asking them to verify the need for you to bring the DD-214. A simple sentence should do. "Ma'am/Sir, I don't believe I marked myself as a Veteran. Do I need to bring a DD-214? Or is this just standard saying?" Or something to that effect. Remember that an employer does not have to hire you because of lying on an application. Being a Veteran is not protected under Affirmative Action. If the job is in the private sector they don't have to give you any preference, even after disclosing your "mistake". The federal, state, county, and municipal governments are required to give preference to Veterans, but only if that Veteran is also qualified for the position they are applying for. Also, certain levels of employment in government do not give preference at all. Hope this helped.
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Monty Leverett
Honestly, tell them "I will not let you hire me simply for serving" then smile as they refuse to, if you're so horrified by the fact you served, then you should actively tell people to ignore it, but not cry when they do, Sgt Graham.
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CPL (Join to see)
Veteran status is protected under Equal Employment Opportunity Act, also certain areas of the Privacy Act bar employers from discrimination based on military or veteran status. Also many states have now implemented bars to use of polygraph due to release of issues with disclosure of National Security from military or federal duty. This soldier was a prior MP so it is understandable he definitely had access to secured or confidential information. So I would agree with him only if it were for this reason, otherwise it appears that he did not appreciate his service due to reasons which were personal.
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Politely admit to them that you are prior service. If you wish to defer veteran's preference you can (in most states).
If I interviewed someone who did not disclose previous military experience I would be very skeptical.
Just curious, why downplay your service and the merits of serving to a group such as RP?
If I interviewed someone who did not disclose previous military experience I would be very skeptical.
Just curious, why downplay your service and the merits of serving to a group such as RP?
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COL (Join to see)
SGT James Graham - Then focus on the people and drop the attitude about what you did. Unless it was illegal, unethical or immoral, then accept that you followed orders, did your job and decided to take another path at the end of your service.
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Cpl Randy Owen
You said it was a security position. You have already proven you can't be trusted. If they hire you, they can't be trusted. Hope its not a company like blackwater that has huge government contracts.
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SFC Charles McVey Sr.
SGT James Graham - This sounds like the mumblings of someone with psychological issues. Have you discussed your dislike of having served your country with a competent psychologist to date...If not I would suggest that you do so.
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SSgt Karen Jarman
Assuming there is nothing wrong with the paper, Sgt. Graham may have gone thru psychological hell with his assignments, and doesn't want to have it tossed up in his face daily. I spent more years in therapy than I spent in the military dealing with the abusive, hostile environment of my last assignment. Not whining, there were over 900 of us charged with various offenses, and almost 500 discharges going from honorable to dishonorable, and it all started with a pot plant growing near a bush near one of the barracks. Charges ranged from failure to report possible marijuana use by off-duty on a TDY, to one person who was convicted for snorting a 1/2" x 6" line of cocaine. The eye witness? The dope dealer who was granted immunity in return for his testimony, granted BEFORE they knew he was the dealer. The prime mover? A new OR commander and his best friend assigned as first shirt. They were determined to "whip us into shape", in spite of five Outstanding Unit awards in a row.
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As an Employer, I would automatically disqualify you from employment for falsifying your application. Might seem harsh but how can you be trusted bu not fully disclosing your work history. It sounds like there is something in your service record you are hiding. I’m in law enforcement so when people don’t want to disclose it’s for a reason. And to add to that, you stated it’s for security and your training is what qualifies you for the job; full stop. You probably should seek some professional counseling, and I’m not being crass or trying to insult you. The military should have left you with an “esprits de corp” attitude and if it hasn’t, your leadership failed you.
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