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I also had a ‘colorful past’ and got commissioned (with waiver). Army and a different time, but, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. If you want it, try for it now. It’s a little harder to make happen once you’re already in.
I greatly appreciate the encouragement. Truthfully I will have to dig more into the OCS program before I make my final decision. Last thing I want to do is put all my eggs in one basket if I truly have a chance of being accepted into OCS, despite my lackluster GPA and criminal history. If I'm able to obtain a waiver with my (need I borrow your term), "colorful past" I am more than willing to take the steps necessary to get the ball rollin'.
Look up the legal definition for an expunged record, and you will feel better about your answers. They specifically tell you that you can now answer, honestly, that you have never been convicted because the expungment deletes the conviction as if it never happened. So you could truthfully say, yes you were arrested, and no, you were not convicted. But look it up yourself, since I am not an attorney and can't give legal advice.
Right; I think they refer to it as an adjudication. I spoke to the only person with physical copies of my expungement paperwork yesterday - she eluded that through the expungement process, I legally don't have to disclose I was convicted of anything. "As if it never happened".
Right; I think they refer to it as an adjudication. I spoke to the only person with physical copies of my expungement paperwork yesterday - she eluded that through the expungement process, I legally don't have to disclose I was convicted of anything. "As if it never happened".
Unfortunately, you appear to be hoping we come back and give you support. You have no basis in the SF 86 *not* to disclose-expungement or not. You were arrested. It happened. The question on the SF 86 is
‘In the past seven (7) years have you been arrested by ...’. There’s not a sentence on there telling you not to disclose if it was expunged. The form is freely available online. Give it a read.
If you choose to not disclose ‘because it was expunged’ and they find it-one easy way is when they interview people who know you, someone mentions it-you can pretty well kiss your chances of a clearance goodbye for several years while you overcome your demonstrated deceit. The thinking is if you’ll hide this, what will you hide when something serious happens actually involving national security?
Make your life easier. It’s better to disclose and explain, than conceal and get caught in what, in a literal reading of the SF 86, is a lie.
Unfortunately, you appear to be hoping we come back and give you support. You have no basis in the SF 86 *not* to disclose-expungement or not. You were arrested. It happened. The question on the SF 86 is
‘In the past seven (7) years have you been arrested by ...’. There’s not a sentence on there telling you not to disclose if it was expunged. The form is freely available online. Give it a read.
If you choose to not disclose ‘because it was expunged’ and they find it-one easy way is when they interview people who know you, someone mentions it-you can pretty well kiss your chances of a clearance goodbye for several years while you overcome your demonstrated deceit. The thinking is if you’ll hide this, what will you hide when something serious happens actually involving national security?
Make your life easier. It’s better to disclose and explain, than conceal and get caught in what, in a literal reading of the SF 86, is a lie.
I had a similar situation, minus the arrest. I had an expunged misdemeanor. My lawyer told me it was off my record and that I was never convicted, so when I enlisted I didn't list it.
After getting accepted into a program at the MEPs center in Indianapolis I was pulled away by a naval officer who asked me questions about my record. The government can pull up an expunged record, I told him the whole truth and why I did not list it on my enlistment papers. Being a scared young kid I feel probably helped my case, I was only 20 years old. Begrudgingly the officer stated he was going to issue me a waiver. My job in the Navy required a secret security clearance, I went through a similar process 10 months later when it came to receiving my clearance. I feel I was fortunate, probably even lucky.
Advice here, admit the truth, anything you hide will be found out and likely create more problems later.
Unfortunately, you appear to be hoping we come back and give you support. You have no basis in the SF 86 *not* to disclose-expungement or not. You were arrested. It happened. The question on the SF 86 is
‘In the past seven (7) years have you been arrested by ...’. There’s not a sentence on there telling you not to disclose if it was expunged. The form is freely available online. Give it a read.
If you choose to not disclose ‘because it was expunged’ and they find it-one easy way is when they interview people who know you, someone mentions it-you can pretty well kiss your chances of a clearance goodbye for several years while you overcome your demonstrated deceit. The thinking is if you’ll hide this, what will you hide when something serious happens actually involving national security?
Make your life easier. It’s better to disclose and explain, than conceal and get caught in what, in a literal reading of the SF 86, is a lie.
The SF 86 form is not what I was in the process of filling out. The closest thing I'd describe what I filled out was a preliminary screening; about two pages in length.
I went in the office knowing what I wanted to tell the recruiter (the truth, what factually occurred.) I knew by the time I left the office that something was deeply wrong with what I was told, but I didn't know exactly what parts weren't true (hence why I'm on this forum.) That and the stark contrast of what the Air Force recruiter informed me in regards to obtaining a waiver has had my mind racing.
I had a similar situation, minus the arrest. I had an expunged misdemeanor. My lawyer told me it was off my record and that I was never convicted, so when I enlisted I didn't list it.
After getting accepted into a program at the MEPs center in Indianapolis I was pulled away by a naval officer who asked me questions about my record. The government can pull up an expunged record, I told him the whole truth and why I did not list it on my enlistment papers. Being a scared young kid I feel probably helped my case, I was only 20 years old. Begrudgingly the officer stated he was going to issue me a waiver. My job in the Navy required a secret security clearance, I went through a similar process 10 months later when it came to receiving my clearance. I feel I was fortunate, probably even lucky.
Advice here, admit the truth, anything you hide will be found out and likely create more problems later.
The last thing I want to do is be pulled aside at MEPS, or worse, booted all together. Thank you for the advice.
The last thing I want to do is be pulled aside at MEPS, or worse, booted all together. Thank you for the advice.
Absolutely, it sounds like you're doing the right thing and questioning the recruiter. Don't trust them one bit, they're worse than used car salesmen. I hope the recruitment process goes smoothly for you. Getting accepted by the Navy was the first step in turning my life around. I wouldn't be where I am today were it not for the Navy, and that one officer who went out on a limb and granted me a waiver.
I have served alongside many enlisted men who held BSs, a few with MAs or MSs.
Yes. But if he's going in he might as well maximize his options.
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