What are my chances of getting into the military by getting a determination from a Suitability Review board?

Robert Eriksen — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 00:38:44 -0500

Hello Everyone,

So I’ve started the process of attempting to join the Army at 33 years old. I know It’s late in game for me, but it’s always something I’ve wanted to do and some poor choices kept me from it in the past. I’m giving things a shot now. Hopefully things will work out. I’m hoping I can get some advice/guidance from anyone willing to help.

I’ve been speaking with a local recruiter and have been 100% upfront about my past. I have some criminal charges from my distant past(2004-05-07-09). Pretty much everything is “dismissed” with no adverse adjudication other than some traffic offenses. Records for these old cases simply don’t exist. My county doesn’t retain records for dismissed cases beyond five years. The only thing to show these ever happened is a very basic printout.

On the face of it, it kinda looks bad... but I only have one actual conviction (DUI 2009) and everything else is as described above. My Recruiter wasn’t quite sure how to handle this at first. Anyway, I latter went the office and had to write a bunch of statements about the circumstances of each charge, my character etc etc. Now I simply have to wait for a determination from a Suitability Review board.

My Recruiter didn’t have much information beyond that. He told me to just wait it out. Could be weeks... could be months... he says he may PCS long before I hear anything.

Does anyone here have any experience with a similar situation? Do I have any kind of chance? I’m an open book if anyone needs more details from me.

Thank you for any help or advice.
Robert

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Nov 21 at 2019 12:13 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 12:13:45 -0500

OK, I think you did the right thing by coming clean, things like that can come back to bite you in the ass if you don't and that gets into things like fraudulent enlistment. If you have no convictions outside of the DUI, which requires a morality waiver, and since it's been a decade since you made those bad decisions, my gut feeling is that you should be fine. These boards don't always work very fast, so have some patience, but stay in contact with the recruiter, or his replacement if he leaves before you get the waiver.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2019 2:24 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 14:24:06 -0500

Its going to be more than a suitability review. A DUI will require a moral waiver, so it may take a while. That typically requires that you interview with the company and battalion commanders. Stay engaged and committed.

Response by PO1 Dee Lee made Nov 21 at 2019 2:37 PM

PO1 Dee Lee — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 14:37:22 -0500

Before retiring I was on recruiting duty for 6 years. When I ask for waivers it didn’t take any time to get an answer. I was Navy though. Don’t know what other service’s process is though.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Nov 22 at 2019 2:11 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 14:11:35 -0500

Talk to the Guard and reserves.. Also your State military reserve. Better start training for the Army Combat Physical Test ACFT now.