Speeding Ticket

kbelser

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Feb 18, 2016
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My DS is a 4-yr AROTC scholarship cadet in his 1st semester. He received an email from admin asking for details (copy of receipt,/ticket) on two previously disclosed traffic violations (Nov 2014 and Apr 2016). First ticket was for "too fast for conditions" and the other was simply a speeding ticket. He hasn't yet contracted. Is this reason for concern?
 
Probably not, they likely are just following up to be sure the tickets were paid and closed out.
 
My DS is a 4-yr AROTC scholarship cadet in his 1st semester. He received an email from admin asking for details (copy of receipt,/ticket) on two previously disclosed traffic violations (Nov 2014 and Apr 2016). First ticket was for "too fast for conditions" and the other was simply a speeding ticket. He hasn't yet contracted. Is this reason for concern?
Our DD is same, 4 yr winner AROTC, freshman and she just contracted today. She was the 2nd of 5 4 yr winners to contract so far. I think it just takes time! :)
 
On the Army ROTC application, I did notice when it was asking about legal involvements it says "except minor traffic violations." Is a speeding ticket, pleading to going 5mph over the speed limit, considered a "minor traffic violation"? I'm pretty sure it's a minor traffic violation I just wanted to make sure that it is just a minor traffic violation and not a misdemeanor. There was only a citation, no points on the license or any further implications.
 
Maverick, 5 mph over is indeed a minor traffic infraction. A misdemeanor would likely have required a court appearance. You are fine.
 
Honestly, you have to wonder why they would care about non injury traffic violations
 
Honestly, you have to wonder why they would care about non injury traffic violations
Because they do. Just like they (used to) care about tats, (and still do about) drinking, grooming, drugs, etc. It's not something they want their personnel doing or at least making a habit of.
 
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And a big tip to all you cadets about to graduate and head to BOLC.....Obey the traffic laws on base to the letter, they don't give warnings. The simple traffic tickets you receive on base are not the same as civilian tickets, you don't pay a fine and I don't believe they go on your record, but don't think you're getting off easy. If you get one of these tickets you are required to turn it in to your commander, he/she will decide what happens next, a day long driving safety course, an essay, or both. Don't wait if you get a ticket to turn it in, do it right away, it only gets worse if you wait.

My son just recently did a nice California stop and didn't see the MP, yep got the ticket. He was smart and turned it in the next morning, the commander said that sense he did he would not make him take the driving safety course, he does however have to write a 1000 word essay on obeying the rules and how it correlates to flying.

Bottom line: Obey every traffic law on base.
 
I understand they do, that is not the point. They could care if you colored outside lines when you were 5 but there has to be a rationality to it. I understand the rationality of wanting to know if you have addictions to alcohol, gambling or drugs because they would have a influence on your personal and professional life. Wanting to know if someone didnt make a complete stop at a stop sign or got a ticket for using your cellphone seems like a waste of time. Sure if someone had 50 speeding tickets, that would be an issue.


Because they do. Just like they (used to) care about tats, (and still do about) drinking, grooming, drugs, etc. It's not something they want their personnel doing or at least making a habit of.
 
I understand they do, that is not the point. They could care if you colored outside lines when you were 5 but there has to be a rationality to it. I understand the rationality of wanting to know if you have addictions to alcohol, gambling or drugs because they would have a influence on your personal and professional life. Wanting to know if someone didnt make a complete stop at a stop sign or got a ticket for using your cellphone seems like a waste of time. Sure if someone had 50 speeding tickets, that would be an issue.

They do care....And even the tiniest bit of trouble now can be cause of major heartache down the road far into their career....traffic tickets? Usually not so much. 2 speeding tickets relatively close together? That will raise eyebrows. Will it stop him or cause a problem, most likely not but they look at everything for anything and they don't mind using the way back machine to make it happen. Example, you've got an O5 who started out as an enlisted Joe. Enlisted Joe got an Article 15 for a fight at the post club back in 1992.....2017 O5 gets picked up for O6 but in the post board screen they see the Article 15, that will send this officer's selection to be reviewed by a General Officer Review Board who will then determine if the officer has to go through the Title 10 Promotion Review Board process which is a whole other ordeal. Is that 2017 O5(P) remotely the same person as that 1992 E3? Of course not! But it doesn't matter. Now I totally get that this is apples vs. oranges but "fine tooth comb" is the current culture of the accessions and career ladder process. The good news? With the new regime and the possibility of building the force back up, this culture may very well shift again however, you just can't take anything for granted.
 
Traffic violations, even small ones, are considered "failure to follow the rules" or "failure to obey authority." It is an integrity issue. The question becomes... If you cannot follow the little rules, how can you be trusted to follow the big ones? When my husband was in flight school one of the students was caught driving his motorcycle almost 100 miles an hour on a straight away on post. He was called before the commander who asked him, if you are that reckless, how can you be trusted in a multi-million dollar aircraft with the lives of others in your hands? Ultimately he was kicked out of flight school for it. Is this the same as a couple of minor traffic violations when you're 18? Not exactly, but a consistent track record of "minor" incidents is indicative of a character that the military may not want.
 
Speeding and reckless driving are different offenses.

Minor speeding tickets shouldn't be an issue.

It's also not in integrity issue, in my opinion.

Just stop speeding (of course, I rationalize my going 10-15 mph over). Those tickets get expensive and points add up.
 
I agree with you about what SHOULD be...

We have also lived in places where if the spouse got a speeding ticket on the post, the soldier was called in front of his /her commander. It SHOULDN'T be that way... but what should be and what is are often very different things.

Your final advice is right on point... but like you, I tend to drive a bit fast.
 
Speeding tickets are only an issue under these circumstances:
1. 6 or more minor traffic violations in a 12 month period where the fine is $100 or more
2. 12 or more minor traffic violations in 18 month period where the fine is $100 or more
3. Single offense where fine is greater than $250.
4. Drugs or alcohol involved.
 
Well that makes perfect sense

Speeding tickets are only an issue under these circumstances:
1. 6 or more minor traffic violations in a 12 month period where the fine is $100 or more
2. 12 or more minor traffic violations in 18 month period where the fine is $100 or more
3. Single offense where fine is greater than $250.
4. Drugs or alcohol involved.
 
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