Question about past arrest?

john24

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Aug 13, 2015
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Long story short I just have question to see of my chances of getting into ROTC with an arrest. I was arrested in 2012 for domestic violence with my gf, I had punched the door and she got scared and called the cops. I was arrested but in a few hours I was let go, no charges of any kind, did not even see a judge. Now I know it sounds bad but I haven't been in any trouble except for 10 mph over speeding ticket. That gf and I are married and have a son together and moved to a different state. What are the chances this may affect getting an AFROTC contract?
 
If you weren't convicted, it shouldn't be overly difficult as a conviction is what really is the show stopper. Just be upfront if ever asked about arrests, but since you weren't convicted it shouldn't be on a record.

If you had been convicted, it would've been game over. Atleast in the Army, and I believe it's across the whole military, a domestic violence charge prevents you from ever carrying a weapon on or off duty.

With all that said, I am no legal expert and can't comment on exactly how this might affect your specific situation.
 
Thanks for the reply it really was a the cops have to arrest someone situation because they showed. I had a court where I showed up and I was looking for my name and the clerk said they never even put in any charges to the courthouse. They just dropped it after the arrest. If anyone else has opinions that would be appreciated.
 
You are probably fine. If you fill out paperwork ever they were will ask about arrests and convictions. Two different things. You were arrested but there were no charges or convictions.
 
Convicted? No.


As funny as this clip is, it demonstrates an important distinction legally. A conviction means a person has plead guilty or been found guilty. If a person has been arrested (or taken into custody), but not charged, then it typically means that there was not sufficient evidence to warrant charges.
 
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You'll have to answer if asked about the arrest. It's also a standard question on the SF-86 Security clearance form - #22.1 - including questions about the jurisdiction, arresting agency, etc. Generally, the standard background check systems also show arrests as well unless it's a very rural jurisdiction.

https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf86.pdf
 
One thing to remember is later on you will most likely need a TS clearance and they are more thorough than you think. They will ask every which way from Sunday if you have had any run ins with the law. So, yes you were never charged, but you officially will answer yes you have had an altercation with the law. The people you list as references will also be asked that exact same question by a government agent.

I am not saying that you would be denied a TS, just saying that contracting is actually the easy part and that you remember to be honest now because the next round will include dates, and results of that altercation. The TS clearance is only good for 5 years, so if you want to fly than expect that you will go through at least 2 of them, so make sure you keep your 1st TS clearance in your home files. It is very long...60 some odd pages of questions.

Xposted with max5757
 
Thanks everyone, feeling way better now, that was the only thing giving me any stress.
 
Curiosity question. Are you contracting as a POC or an AFROTC scholarship cadet? I am guessing POC.
 
It will eventually be POC but Im trying to contract while still taking GMC classes but even then my goal is not a scholarship even without a scholarship I will be joining and want to enter the air force as an O1.
 
I think you need to do some more investigation regarding contracting in AFROTC.

1. As a GMC you can only contract if you are on scholarship.
2. To become a POC you must be selected for SFT. No SFT = no commissioning via AFROTC.
~ The selection rate varies between tech/rated, non-tech/rated, tech/non-rated and non-rated/non-tech.

Thank you for wanting to defend this great nation.
 
Thanks for your reply, yeah I probably have more questions but I do have a meeting coming up in a couple days where hopefully all that will be answered and I'll be able to actually have a plan on exactly what I need to do.
Thank you for making my first question so helpful everyone, I know I'll have many more.
 
So you are going to enter at the very least an AS250? 100 is freshmen, 200 is sophomore that was a 100, 250 is sophomore with no ROTC until sophomore year.

I would research the threads here regarding 100/200/250. The more you are informed the better you will feel entering.
~ IE you are a Sophomore, never in AFROTC. That would make you a 250.

Are you a tech major? Do you want to go rated? If rated are you going to get some flight hours in?

The more you research through the old threads, the more you will appear more prepared when they ask do you have any questions?
~ IE last year for SFT it was @90% rate, the avg cgpa for non-tech was 3.3/3.4 and 3.0/3.1 for tech. What was your avg cgpa? What was your selection rate?
~ Of those not selected how many became a 500? 500 is someone that was not picked up for SFT, but retained and will compete again. Basically a junior...still not contracted since they did not attend SFT.

I cannot stress enough how important getting an SFT slot means for AFROTC regarding commissioning. Granted you need to pose the questions in a non-antagonistic way, but you still need these answers.
~ I would pose it as something akin to I am not looking for a scholarship, but I want ADAF. If not selected for SFT, how does it work if I am disenrolled? Can I still go OCS?
 
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