JOIN WITH FELONIES!!!!

Determine the severity of your offense before applying to the US Army Reserves. According to the Army's website, the Army will forgive certain offenses but not others. Some of the felonies that will invalidate future careers in the military include rape and murder. As a rule of thumb, the Army states that the more violent or serious the crime, the "less likely the military is to overlook it." The Army's website offers a full list of offenses that require a moral waiver.

2

Meet with a recruiter to apply to join the U.S. Army Reserves. Bring all required forms of identification, including birth certificate and Social Security card. Please note that you cannot be accepted into the military if you are awaiting sentencing or trial for any current offense, or currently serving parole or probation for any past offense.

3

Fully disclose any criminal background when first meeting with a recruiter. Lying about any past offenses will not only violate federal law, but will show that you have not reformed your ways and will hurt your chances of receiving a moral waiver. Moreover, the military investigators can access records sealed by the court, and their inquiries will turn up expunged records as well.

4

Ask for a moral waiver. After disclosing the exact nature of the past offense or conviction, you will need to schedule a "moral waiver" interview. The military will need time to investigate the offense and conviction, and before this interview takes place, you will need to fill out the moral waiver form and also obtain letters of recommendation.

5

Engage in activities that will gain you positive recommendations from community leaders. According to public policy analyst Michael Boucai of the Palm Center for Sound Social Policy, the military uses a "whole person" concept when evaluating recruits who need a moral waiver. The Military Entrance Processing Station suggests that engaging in community-service projects, furthering education and obtaining employment will help a recruit get such recommendations.

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Obtain references and letters of recommendation from prominent individuals in your community. Try to solicit good references from people familiar with your efforts at rehabilitation, including your parole officer, community organizers, past employers and educators and religious officials. Submit these letters to your recruiter before the moral waiver interview to show him that others have already acknowledged the steps you've taken to redress past offenses.

7

Submit DA Form 2981 (Application for Determination of Moral Eligibility for Induction). Make sure to fill out all items, and do not omit any offenses. The military will then review your application and, if you are determined eligible, will conduct the moral waiver interview.

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Attend the moral waiver interview. Express your regret at past offenses and explain how you believe a career in the military will enable you to better your situation.