problems with recruiter and meps, please help!

[lilsocker215]

hi all, I am new to the forums but have seen a few similar posts regarding the same issue as mine, so any advice or knowledge would be greatly appreciated. I have recently been filling out my pre-meps paper work, including background check. I have told my recruiter that 5 years ago, I was arrested and fingerprinted for petty larceny, which I was later never charged for. upon running my pre-meps state background check in ny, it came up clear, not even showing that charge. He has now informed me that i should not divulge this. I am also very uncertain about my driving record, as i have had many tickets throughout my driving career, none however were more serious then the charge of "driving without a liscense," which is not a misdemeanor in ny. i am not sure what to do about any of this, as i have read alot about being discharged after meps upon security checks while in basic. How do i even go about knowing what to fill out a waiver for regarding my driving history? and what do i do about the petty larceny that isnt comming up on the state report? i am scheduled to go to meps in a week, so need to know as soon as possible. thanks to anyone that chimes in in advance.

[SailorDave]

There will be some who will disagree with me, but I say disclose it all, it will sort itself out. If you get caught lying about it later (intentional omission is lying to an investigator) you'll only have problems. Minor legal infractions are seldom something an investigator or adjudicator will concerns themselves with. They're concerned with drug use, bad finances and felonies.

Just my .02

[bcoco14]

I'm with Dave disclose it all. I had my interim clearance suspended during the adjudication process because of non-disclosure of an arrest I had 8 yrs prior. My recruiter told me not to disclose it. I was never convicted and after little leg work and some MFR's I was granted my clearance. Had I just been upfront about it I would have been OK. Now EVERY TIME I redo my paperwork I have to check the box saying I have had my clearance suspended and then provide detailed explanation's of what happened. Just be upfront in the beginning and it will save alot of headaches later on.

[ringjamesa]

Agree 100%. I would rather run a waiver before the enlistment than have you get the boot for a fradulant enlistment.

[timebomb]

Yerp. I went to MEPS about 8 years ago but I seem to recall something about it specifying any crimes you have been convicted of. Of course, I could be inventing that entirely in my head.

I say just be out with it. If it's not on your wrap sheet, I doubt they're going to take much interest in it. As far as the driving record goes, there's currently some pretty horrible drivers in the Navy (just try a drive down I-264 in Virginia Beach), so you actually might be a shoe-in there.

And there's that whole fraudulent enlistment thing that punishes up to 10 years in jail and/or $10,000 fine.

I'm just sayin'.

V/R
ET2 (EXW/SW)

[JimD]

These guys are right. If you disclose it as the facts, similar to how you described it here you will be alright. Once at Great Lakes you will have a "moment of truth" where the chief who is running the event will tell you something like "if you lie,we will catch you", and you will know they are being serious. Some of the stuff that people disclose at the last minute is mind-blowing, and often there is a "well my recruiter told me to not disclose this but...." Now not only do you appear as if you have no integrity, but so does your recruiter. Not good. Many minor offenses are waiverable. Given the fact that nothing ever came of your petty theft incident it will probably be a non-issue. And the best part about it is that you know you did the right thing now.

We all have messed up in the past, it is how we address our pasts today that truly measures our character. Do the right thing even when nobody is looking, then you can truly say that you are living by honor, courage, and commitment. ;)