Can you join the military instead of going to jail?

Asked by: Dino Corkery  |  Last update: April 19, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (40 votes)

No. Hasn't been a jail or military option in the U.S. for many decades.

Can you join the Army if you've been to jail?

While the US military has rigorous moral character standards regarding recruits, having a criminal record doesn't automatically disqualify you from enlisting. However, your eligibility depends on the gravity of the offenses committed and when the incident/s occurred.

Can you get kicked out of the military if you go to jail?

Conviction of any type of violent crime can lead to an unfavorable discharge and other penalties, such as loss of benefits, within the military system. In some cases, these come after facing military disciplinary hearing.

Are prisoners allowed to enlist?

Presently, all branches of the U.S. military forbid the acceptance of convicts, both after sentencing and as an alternative to imprisonment (except the U.S. Navy, which does not have specific prohibitions but still strongly discourages it as a protocol), and do not maintain any penal formations, though ex-convicts with ...

At what age will the military not accept you?

The Army and Navy accept applicants up to age 35; the Air Force accepts recruits prior to their 28th birthday, and the Marine Corps age limit is 29.

Join the Military or Go to JAIL!?

17 related questions found

What will disqualify you from the military?

Medical Disqualifications
  • Vision Disqualification. ...
  • Dental Disqualification. ...
  • Ears and Hearing Disqualification. ...
  • Allergic Conditions Disqualification. ...
  • Skin Disqualification. ...
  • Psychiatric Disorders.

Which military branch pays the most?

There is no branch that pays more. Base pay at a given grade and time of service is the same across the services. However, total pay and compensation can differ a lot due to allowances and special pays. But those are based on location and duties, not branch-of-service.

Where do soldiers go to jail?

The United States Disciplinary Barracks (USDB) is located on Fort Leavenworth, Kansas which is approximately twenty-six miles northwest of Kansas City, Missouri. It is the only maximum-security facility in the Department of Defense and the oldest penal institution in the Federal system.

How long do you go to jail for not going to war?

Desertion carries a maximum punishment of dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay, and confinement of five years. For desertion during a time of war, however, the death penalty may be applied (at the discretion of the court-martial).

Do military bases have jails?

The United States military operates several military confinement facilities to detain service members convicted of crimes under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). These facilities range from small, short-term holding cells to large, long-term prisons.

Can you choose to join the military instead of going to jail?

Army Regulation 610-210, which covers recruiting guidelines, states that applicants are ineligible for enlistment if, “as a condition for any civil conviction or adverse disposition or any other reason through a civil or criminal court, [they are] ordered or subjected to a sentence that implies or imposes enlistment ...

Can you do military service instead of jail time?

A great amount of anecdotal evidence exists that suggests a number of people have performed military service instead of doing time in prison, but from a legal perspective, this is prohibited.

Can you join the military with dropped charges?

If you have an expunged criminal record, you can still enlist. Most branches of the military will require a criminal record waiver. When undergoing the process for military enlistment, the military waives some previous criminal offenses.

Who cannot join the military?

Felons and individuals with multiple convictions cannot join, but waivers are available on a case-by-case basis.

What drugs disqualify you from military service?

Drug testing for military service typically includes a 26-drug panel, which includes:
  • Marijuana.
  • Cocaine.
  • Methamphetamine.
  • Cush.
  • Opioids: Heroin & Oxycodone.
  • Opioids: Hydrocodone & hydromorphone.
  • Opioids: Fentanyl & Norfentanyl.
  • Anxiety medications like Xanax and Valium.

Does the military look at your driving record?

Arrest records may appear to military agencies conducting a background check. However, misdemeanor and especially felony records are of greater importance. Civil infractions and non-criminal citations, such as traffic tickets, usually won't appear in these checks.

Is it illegal to leave war?

Any person found guilty of desertion or attempt to desert shall be punished, if the offense is committed in time of war, by death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct, but if the desertion or attempt to desert occurs at any other time, by such punishment, other than death, as a court-martial may ...

How many people dodged the Vietnam draft?

Around 15 million were granted deferments, mostly for education and some for mental or physical problems. There were more than 300,000 draft evaders in total, of which 209,517 men illegally resisted the draft while some 100,000 deserted. Among them, around 30,000 emigrated to Canada during 1966-72.

Is going AWOL illegal?

AWOL is illegal and taken very seriously by military prosecutors because it is a direct violation of the most basic expectation a service member is required to meet: showing up at their appointed duty location at the appointed time.

Do soldiers get paid while in jail?

Soldiers who are in a POW status are authorized payment of 50% of the worldwide average per diem rate for each day held in captive status. The Secretary of Defense may authorize more than 50% of the worldwide average per diem rate requested by the Secretary of the Army.

Can you join Army after jail?

Often times, a criminal record can disqualify someone from being eligible to serve in the Army. In many cases, however, it is possible for Army recruits to obtain a moral conduct waiver, which allows them to overcome this disqualification. This article serves as a complete guide to the Army's moral waiver process.

What is jail called in the Army?

The United States military's equivalent to the county jail, in the sense of "holding area" or "place of brief incarceration for petty crimes" is known colloquially as the guardhouse or stockade by the United States Army and Air Force and brig by naval and marine forces.

What is the lowest paid military branch?

E-1: $20,340. E-1 is the lowest enlisted rank in the US military: Airman Basic (Air Force), Private (Army/Marine Corps), Seaman Recruit (Navy). Service members usually hold this rank through basic training, and automatically promote to the next rank after six months of service.

Which branch is easiest to rank up?

In terms of promotion rates, the Army reportedly promotes faster in the initial stages than other branches due to its size. The expansion needs at entry-level positions tend to lead to more available opportunities for advancement.

How long is Army basic training?

Basic Combat Training (BCT) is a ten-week training course (not including the "Reception" week) where recruits go-through the process of becoming full- fledged Soldiers. Throughout the process the soldiers will learn new rules, learn to trust themself and understand what it means to be a Soldier in the U.S. Army.