Felon with sex offense wants to join the military
Found your website while searching "felon" info and thought I would take a chance.
When my son was 19, he had come home from college for the summer, earned his black belt in Tae kwon Do, and made the mistake of having a relationship with a 15 year old girl in his karate class. She was working on her black belt and had an immense crush on my son...and vice versa. They had known each other for several years--and were both very talented "karate kids."
Anyway, they broke it off when he went back to school--but remained friends.
The young lady went to counseling a year later for some unrelated family issues and revealed that she had a boyfriend a year ago and they had sex. Bingo...the therapist calls the state, the state arrests my son, who is now 20 almost 21, and presses charges...4 counts of sex with a minor. Neither girl nor her family pressed charges against my son. In addition, we were told that because he had recently earned his black belt degree that he was considered "someone of higher responsibility" and that is why the state decided to prosecute. I might add that he was in the process of applying for the Indiana State Trooper program--was almost there! BIG NIGHTMARE for our family since this son was the one who never drank, partied, smoked...just a good, sweet, loving kid and born again Christain... who did something really dumb based on emotion.
The deal was this, 6 months house arrest and 3 years probation which we have almost completed...without grumbling I might add. Felony reduced to misdemeanor as soon as probation ends actually on 9/16/10. He has been planning to join the military... to do good in the world and serve the country he loves. What are his chances? He talked to an recruiter (about 6 months ago) about Indiana air guard and was told not just no-- but never.
I appreciate your time.
Felon with sex offense wants to join the military
I know quite a few young men in your son's same situation. The good news is that his charge will be downgraded to a misdemeanor. From time to time the military grants waivers to recruits who have criminal records. Most are moral waivers, which include some felonies and misdemeanors.
The only military branch offering waivers to ex-offenders is the Army. He may find more success there. The Army recruiter will tell him exactly what to do to get the process started. It is totally up to the Army to grant the waiver.
I hope this helps.