Been arrested...ROTC out of the question?

jcw314

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
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May 26, 2009
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I was with a friend at a store and she got busted for shoplifting. I had no part in it but I was arrested with her. We are working to get the charges dropped, but the application asks if I have been arrested.

Is ROTC completely out of the question?
 
No ROTC is not completely out of the question- especially if the charges get dropped without prejudice. I guarantee that you will have to explain it and this will go before a waiver authority but if you didn't do anything wrong it won't preclude you from being considered. Timing is pretty important though- you really should be pushing hard to get this resolved - ideally with charges dropped for you -so that you can explain it and the disposition is not dangling over your head.
As a personal aside- your friend is no friend- lose her before she causes you a lifetime of grief. Everybody makes mistakes in their life- but some mistakes are not just unexpected consequences of bad planning or lack of experience ("oops I forgot"; "I really misjudged how fast I was going on that snowy road" etc..)- they are the outcome of deliberate actions. Shoplifting isn't a joke (unless maybe you are a hollywood starlet and can get away with almost anything)- it's larceny. You want to be an Army officer- make sure that the company you keep is appropriate.
 
I know several people who've gotten waivers for more serious offenses, violent offenses too. It is not out of the question, just be truthful and up front about it. Don't try and hide it or lie. The guys at the NSA who give out security clearances are very good at their job and they will find it. If it turns out that you lied about it, then that is a testament against your character and it may cost you your commission.
 
Thanks to you all for the responses! Hopefully everything will workout.
 
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