No Jobs for a Veteran who is a Felon
I used to think being a veteran meant something. I used to think it stood for something concrete and was valued by our country. Like a sentry standing guard, all hours of the night, ready and waiting to defend at any moment. I was ready and willing to do my part in whatever my state or country asked of me during my eleven year service time. I value that feeling deep inside and recognize it as something positive and tangible to hold on to. However, two and a half years later, I cold-heartedly am bitter and frustrated. Bitter that it means nothing to anyone else. At least not in the ways where it actually benefits me. You know what does matter? The one and only time I was ever caught in the web of the legal system. That web chewed me up and spit me out, not as a honorable veteran, but as a shamed former soldier now turned convicted felon. How did I go from the top Washington Army National Guard Recruiter in 2011, excellent PT and review ratings to, ostracized and vanquished to the badlands of our culture and society? That has a very simple answer. Assault of child in the 3rd degree, AKA a Class C Felony! I unfortunately allowed myself to sink extremely low during my final year as a recruiter and in the Army. I sunk so low, masking all of it in depression meds and alcohol, I spanked a one year child to a point where I left a terrible bruise on their bottom. Assault of a child in the 3rd, is what now defines all of me.
You probably won't believe this, as I've read in a few of your articles about this specific topic. Companies can and ALWAYS do discriminate against any and all criminal convictions. You personally said that companies won't hire you based solely on your criminal past. Maybe you were referring to lesser charges or convictions. I call foul on you here Eric, as that, at least in my latest experience is absolutely false. Starting with two years ago, shortly after I was released from jail(I had a two month sentence, no prison) I applied for position at a large, well-known electronics company. I was offered an interview and found out three people were interviewing for the same position. Two internal employees and myself. I nailed the interview. I was sincere and honest. I had all the tools and command they were looking for. So much so, they wasted no time in offering me the position. This was a managerial position which equated to around $60k a year. Naturally, I was excited and full of elation as I thought to myself "Ok, you messed up, you've payed your debts back to society and the legal system. You're getting another chance here. Thank you." I had a brand new wife and a baby on the way. The chaos and shame that fell upon me the prior six months was slowly lifting. I had been offered a great job and felt proud I had made it through all I had, with the ability to support my young family. This was very short lived and what later came to be called the "let down" over the next two years, began. Of course they ran a background check and of course I was honest with them every step of the way. Once my background came back, the offer was rescinded and I was kicked to the curb as a rotten piece of trash. Fast forward to the last five months. I've applied to roughly a hundred open positions. Some employers ask right away about your criminal history, some don't. Each and every one that did not ask up front, gave me an interview. All but one offered me a job with them. This was roughly 15 to 20 employers. Each and every single one of them ran a background. Each and every single of them rescinded their offer to me.
I am no longer labeled a vet, I am labeled as a down-trodden
felon. If you were to look at my life prior to my conviction, there is no criminal history. The same applies to my post-conviction life. Crime and all its inhabitants weren't apart of my life prior and have no understanding of how to operate within the criminal world.
My question to you, what in the world do I do? I have enough moxie and resolve to keep fighting, but I quiver with giving up sometimes. I served just over eleven years in the army. Held a top secret clearance working with automation and radio communication security equipment. I was trusted in many ways through the automation work I did, to the recruiting for four years I did. I've been a crew lead of a large sport fishing boat company. Achieved great success in any arena I venture into. However, my anger and disgust towards all employers has increased dramatically. My skills do not matter, my education does not matter, my personality and what I obtained while serving in the army does not matter. I am currently a Junior, trying to earn my computer science degree in college. Every avenue, regardless of education or experience seems to suddenly and violently throw up a triple reinforced concrete wall, whenever I approach.
I look appetizing and employers have argued over stealing me from the other. However, I can only imagine their frustration and disgust when I hear or read the all to common words, "We are sorry, due to issues we found within your background we are rescinding our offer of employment and cannot hire you at this time." Awww what a disappointment I become. Does anyone see the vicious cycle here?
My frustration mounts as I look at two things. One, our judicial system. I had a debt to our judicial system. Jail, probation, counseling, fine, ect. I paid back that debt. I took responsibility for my actions and worked extremely hard to have many rights of mine which were initially taken away from me, restored by the Superior court system. Two, I would take the justice system penalty over our social culture penalty any day. Society has punished me much harsher than our legal system ever could. Jail was awful yes, but I also wasn't worried about a job, bills, food, place to sleep or bathroom use. Society has cast me out like Mad Max. I cannot rent an apt, vote, own a weapon, volunteer, and I certainly am not worthy or capable of obtaining a job.
Eric, I've been following you for a few months now. I want to thank you for your never-ending support. I've been extremely reluctant to reach out to you and write. Had a bit a bad news today and felt compelled to at least say something to you. Forgive my ranting, all of that has been squashed under a ton of "put on a happy face for the world and myself" for quite sometime. My quest for employment certainly will not end, but I ask of you, opportunities! Opportunities to help, volunteer, assist others who may be going through a similar situation. I have little to offer other than my desire to remain positive, contrary to what you've read here, I have to remain neutral and upbeat, otherwise walking a path straight to prison I will go. My desire to better my life and most importantly, I have deep desire to help other people with criminal histories. I am one of those who seeks a way over, under, around or through those perviable concrete walls. I've yet to reach the top of the mountain, but I managed to navigate some emotional and physically taxing switchbacks along the way. If you have any advice or avenues to take, I am ready and willing to listen and execute.
Very Respectfully,
No Jobs for a Veteran who is a Felon
Thank you for reaching out and thank you for reading my blog. I get many letters and emails from veterans who happen to be ex-offenders or felons looking for jobs. Many feel abandoned by the country they were willing to dire for. I was at a symposium on the plight of the veteran in America, and I was surprised that so many were having the same problem.
Regarding your personal situation, your conviction seems to be the stumbling block. One thing that everyone must understand is that companies don't hire people - people hire people. People don't hire people that they are personally offended by. As nice a person as you may be, an assault conviction looks pretty bad to someone looking add to their team. Assault against a child, in the eyes of some puts you in the monster category. You may want to see if expungement is a viable option in your state. Check with your local legal aid office for assistance getting this legal process done.
You may also contact your local United Way office. The United Way may be able to guide you to local veteran's advocacy groups that could help you in your job search efforts or put you in touch with volunteer
opportunities that could lead to possible employment opportunities.
Here is a link to a long list of veteran aid groups. Hopefully you will find some resources that will be helpful in overcoming your situation.
Jobs for Ex-offenders and Felons: Employment Background Checks: Know Your Rights
Jobs for Ex-offenders and Felons: The Truth About Background Checks
Jobs for ex-offenders and Felons: Expungement of Criminal Records
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No Jobs for a Veteran who is a Felon
Eric Mayo
As far as having felonies removed, many people are a little confused when it comes to this issue no one can remove a criminal conviction. The most that one can hope for is to have it removed from public view. Many lawyers will advertise that they can erase criminal records. Through processes like sealing or expungement they can get them hidden, but they will always be available to the court system, law enforcement and government agencies. My suggestion to your husband is save himself a ton of money by contacting your local legal aid office. Legal aid offices are usually staffed with young, hungry attorneys who are willing to work hard to get things done. Statutes governing sealing and expungement of criminal records vary from state to state. Legal aid will be able to tell him what options he has and what the impact will be on his record. He may qualify for free or low-cost assistance.
