Posted on Jun 24, 2019
Hiding service from employer due to affirmative action?
51.4K
958
239
89
89
0
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 >1 y ago
Responses: 179
3
3
0
You served - own it. As you indicated, they will find out when they deep-dive your background.
(3)
(0)
3
3
0
You didn’t put relevant information on an application for a potential employer whom you were well aware would be doing a thorough background check, based upon a very, very flawed interpretation of what ‘Veteran’s Preference’ means.
Since you lied on your application, expect that you will be denied further consideration at some point in the hiring process.
Since you lied on your application, expect that you will be denied further consideration at some point in the hiring process.
(3)
(0)
3
3
0
Be honest. If they are doing a background check they will find you not being honest with them and you never will get hired. IMHO
(3)
(0)
3
3
0
You can always become a professional protester like one of the AntiFa jerks. I suspect you lean far left in thought based on your hated of your experience.
(3)
(0)
Cpl David Ferguson
I did not feel my comment was much different from others in wondering why someone would be here AND hate their service. Did I hit too close to home for you?
(1)
(0)
2
2
0
I'm confused on MANY levels here. I am a corporate recruiter and have been for 17 years so I am looking at this question through those glasses.
1) Why did you not disclose your military service?
2) Why do you "hate" your service?
3) How do you have four DD-214's?
4) If you hated your service so much, why did you re-enlist? No one does 8 years in one hitch.
5) Why would you come to RallyPoint and say you hated your service?
Something doesn't add up about this post and my guess is you never served. I get the feeling this was just posted to stir up trouble.
That being said, if you applied to any of the companies I have worked for, you would not be considered any further for lying on your application. You are in a very small world if you are looking for a company that considers Military Service as a mistake. Most certainly in an ARMED SECURITY field.
1) Why did you not disclose your military service?
2) Why do you "hate" your service?
3) How do you have four DD-214's?
4) If you hated your service so much, why did you re-enlist? No one does 8 years in one hitch.
5) Why would you come to RallyPoint and say you hated your service?
Something doesn't add up about this post and my guess is you never served. I get the feeling this was just posted to stir up trouble.
That being said, if you applied to any of the companies I have worked for, you would not be considered any further for lying on your application. You are in a very small world if you are looking for a company that considers Military Service as a mistake. Most certainly in an ARMED SECURITY field.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
Since they get credit for hiring you as a veteran, it's to your advantage to have your "paperwork" in order. Either it's a standard blurb requesting you have your proof of employability ready to present when interviewing, or they are on to you being a valid veteran. Only your most recent or up to date DD-214 is valid, it should contain all service credited to you. In that you state you "hate" your service, and want to "hide it", along with seeming to not want to be hired, you should also seek professional mental health assistance.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
2
2
0
2
2
0
2
2
0
Strictly from an employer's point of view, lying on a job application is grounds for termination after you hire the person. If everything were equal and you, with 8 years of service, and an ex-con with 8 years of prison, applied for the same position, and:
- you answered "no" to questions regarding military service, and
- the ex-con answered yes to having a criminal history and was otherwise forthcoming;
I would hire the ex-con and send you packing, while adding your name to our internal "do not hire" list with a listed reason of "lack of candor."
I fully understand that serving in the military is not always an enjoyable experience. Sometimes circumstances outside of your control make your service miserable. Perhaps your chain of command was full of jerks, but it is highly unlikely that you served with the same jerks all eight years. (Perhaps NG service is different: almost all of my real life experience is regular Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines.)
I believe you will find most employers very forgiving of those with a criminal mistake in the past and who are truthful about it. THAT person will appreciate having the job and will work that much harder to keep it. The dishonest veteran who is ashamed of their service, perhaps there is LTH discharge, will whine about every less-than-desireable assignment, will think he/she is entitled to the higher profile, or most desirable assignments. In essence, the equivalent of a kid with a high school education and no ambition expecting to land a job flipping burgers for $15 or $20 per hour. The world owes nobody anything.
My suggestion is to seek counsel from a veterans group and find the positives that you acquired from eight years of service. Even if your discharge was LTH, you did something right to stick around for eight years. Just as I find it distasteful to define a person by their worst action without first looking at all the prior poditive actions, I find it equally distasteful to allow a trying moment in time (in the greater scheme of life) define your service. Certainly, there is some pride in there, otherwise the embarrassingly shameful act would have ended at the conclusion of your first enlistment. Only a truly cognitively challenged person would voluntarily continue to act in an embarrassingly shameful manner which causes them such inner angst and disgust.
Regardless of your perception, this country, and I appreciate the sacrifice you made and the many unseen sacrifices made by your family and friends. Have you considered how you dishonor their sacrifices when you make such derisive remarks about your service?
- you answered "no" to questions regarding military service, and
- the ex-con answered yes to having a criminal history and was otherwise forthcoming;
I would hire the ex-con and send you packing, while adding your name to our internal "do not hire" list with a listed reason of "lack of candor."
I fully understand that serving in the military is not always an enjoyable experience. Sometimes circumstances outside of your control make your service miserable. Perhaps your chain of command was full of jerks, but it is highly unlikely that you served with the same jerks all eight years. (Perhaps NG service is different: almost all of my real life experience is regular Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines.)
I believe you will find most employers very forgiving of those with a criminal mistake in the past and who are truthful about it. THAT person will appreciate having the job and will work that much harder to keep it. The dishonest veteran who is ashamed of their service, perhaps there is LTH discharge, will whine about every less-than-desireable assignment, will think he/she is entitled to the higher profile, or most desirable assignments. In essence, the equivalent of a kid with a high school education and no ambition expecting to land a job flipping burgers for $15 or $20 per hour. The world owes nobody anything.
My suggestion is to seek counsel from a veterans group and find the positives that you acquired from eight years of service. Even if your discharge was LTH, you did something right to stick around for eight years. Just as I find it distasteful to define a person by their worst action without first looking at all the prior poditive actions, I find it equally distasteful to allow a trying moment in time (in the greater scheme of life) define your service. Certainly, there is some pride in there, otherwise the embarrassingly shameful act would have ended at the conclusion of your first enlistment. Only a truly cognitively challenged person would voluntarily continue to act in an embarrassingly shameful manner which causes them such inner angst and disgust.
Regardless of your perception, this country, and I appreciate the sacrifice you made and the many unseen sacrifices made by your family and friends. Have you considered how you dishonor their sacrifices when you make such derisive remarks about your service?
(2)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google