Can You Join the Military with a Misdemeanor?

When a military enlistment, there is always a background check, which holds significant weight for the service. If you enter the US military, it is revered as a high moral and ethical standard. Thus, there is a need for high scrutiny, and if you have a misdemeanor record, it can ruin the military ambition.

However, the misdemeanor cannot prevent you from joining the armed forces. So, in this article, we will discuss how you can join the military with a misdemeanor. You can also consult military defense counsel for detailed information about military misdemeanors and their implications for your entry.

What are Offenses that Can Disqualify You From the Military?

• If there are offenses such as felonies, which include arson, assault, robbery, burglary, manslaughter, and narcotic possessions, then they cannot be waived for military.
• The domestic violence charges and history of such offenses may restrict you from enlistment in the military. 
• If there are drug-related offenses, then the military is zero-tolerant of such crimes.
• Sex crime and sexual misconduct are other such crimes that are not acceptable by the military.
• Additionally, if there is a dishonorable discharge from the previous military service, then it will not be acceptable for further enlistment.

What are Offenses that Can be Waived in the Military?

• Minor traffic offenses like running from a red light, high speeding, or others can be waived in the military. 
• Minor non-traffic offenses like shoplifting can also be waived for the military.
• If there is a juvenile offense for which you have been pardoned, it can also be waived for military enlistment.

Can You Join the Military with a Misdemeanor?

The military is very serious about crimes and misdemeanor activities. So, if they find in their scrutiny that there is a heinous crime associated with your name, you may get disqualified. So, it is always better to save yourself from such activities. However, if some activities can be waived, you must not hide them from the military officials. It would help if you were transparent about your proceedings so that they can scrutinize you properly.

You can present a criminal record waiver application, which will showcase no criminal record associated with your name. However, you cannot go into the military with serious misdemeanor activity. So, you must be aware of it and consult a lawyer to clarify such details.