What crimes can kick you out of the military?
Asked by: Lionel Wyman | Last update: February 16, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (73 votes)
Crimes that can get you kicked out of the military range from serious felonies like murder, rape, treason, and espionage to significant misdemeanors such as DUI, drug offenses, theft, fraud, sexual harassment, insubordination, and going Absent Without Leave (AWOL), all of which violate the high standards of conduct, trust, and integrity expected, often resulting in a Dishonorable Discharge.
What crimes get you kicked out of the military?
Crimes like murder, rape, sexual assault, espionage, treason, and serious drug trafficking are major disqualifiers for military service, often with no waiver possible, as they violate core military values; however, some felonies (like burglary or assault) might be waiverable depending on the branch, time passed, and evidence of rehabilitation, though repeat offenses (like DUI) are also highly problematic, with absolute bars for offenses requiring sex offender registration or involving significant harm.
What are the 5 military discharges?
The main types of U.S. military discharges, from best to worst, are Honorable, General (Under Honorable Conditions), Other Than Honorable (OTH), Bad Conduct (BCD), and Dishonorable, with Uncharacterized (like Entry-Level Separation) sometimes listed separately as not reflecting on conduct; these characters of service determine eligibility for veteran benefits, with Honorable being the best and Dishonorable being the most severe.
What crimes disqualify you from joining the military?
All interested individuals must clear a criminal background check and have no felony convictions. Individuals who have been convicted of a felony as an adult or juvenile for offenses involving violence, domestic violence, illegal drugs or sexual misconduct will be disqualified.
What permanently disqualifies you from the military?
Being permanently disqualified from military service means you don't meet the physical, mental, or moral standards, often due to specific medical conditions (like severe asthma, certain mental health disorders, or major orthopedic issues) or serious legal problems (felonies, probation), though some disqualifications can be waived depending on the branch and circumstances. "Permanent" is a term used at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) meaning you don't qualify currently, but with new documentation or a waiver request, you might still get approved.
You can get kicked out of the military for a domestic violence conviction.
Who cannot be drafted?
In the U.S., exemptions from a potential military draft (Selective Service) primarily apply to women, men already on active military duty, certain non-immigrant visa holders (like students/tourists), some individuals with documented physical/mental disabilities, and those in specific roles like clergy or certain government officials, though most men aged 18-25 must register and can apply for deferments or exemptions like conscientious objector (CO) status based on moral/religious beliefs or essential roles during wartime.
Can I join the military if I was in jail?
Criminal convictions can significantly impact an individual's eligibility to enlist in the military. Depending on the type and severity of the offense, a criminal record may lead to disqualification, or, in some cases, a waiver may be considered to allow enlistment.
Can a convicted felon enter the military?
Generally, felons and those with several convictions can't join the Army, but waivers are available in some cases. The offenses and moral behavior-related issues that cannot be waived include: If you are under civil restraint, including parole, confinement, or probation.
What is 3 clicks in military terms?
In military terms, "3 clicks" (often spelled "klicks") means 3 kilometers, a unit of distance used for brevity and standardization, equating to roughly 1.86 miles (3 kilometers x 0.62 miles/km). It's a phonetic shortening of "kilometer," widely used in radio communication for speed, originating from interactions with metric-using forces and NATO standardization.
What are the most common disqualifiers for the military?
Psychiatric and Personality Disorders
- Any disorder or history of disorders with psychotic features.
- History of impulse control and conduct disorders.
- History of depression requiring medication, outpatient treatment or hospitalization.
- History of anxiety requiring medication, outpatient treatment or hospitalization.
What's the worst discharge in the military?
Dishonorable discharge (DD)
A dishonorable discharge, colloquially referred to as a "duck dinner", is the most serious type of discharge in the US military.
Can you look up military discharges?
You can request a copy of the Veteran's military records from the National Archives online, by mail, or by fax. You can also request their military records in any of these ways: Visit the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in person. Contact your state or county Veterans agency.
What gets you dishonorably discharged?
Examples of dishonorable discharge offenses:
Desertion, Treason, Espionage, and. Sexual assault.
What are the 5 types of military discharges?
The main types of U.S. military discharges, from best to worst, are Honorable, General (Under Honorable Conditions), Other Than Honorable (OTH), Bad Conduct (BCD), and Dishonorable, with Uncharacterized (like Entry-Level Separation) sometimes listed separately as not reflecting on conduct; these characters of service determine eligibility for veteran benefits, with Honorable being the best and Dishonorable being the most severe.
What is the rule 13 in the Army?
2018 in terms of Army Rule 13 (3) III (iv) of the Army ...is that the respondents have discharged applicant by following due procedure as per Army Rules, 1954 and there is no provision for reinstating a person in Army who has given application to proceed on... interest of justice.
What is the most common crime in the military?
Absence Without Leave (AWOL) is the most common crime for offenders in the military. AWOL is the act of any service member failing to report for duty without prior authorization or permission. This offense encompasses any unauthorized absence away from duty, whether brief or prolonged.
Is 10 clicks 10 miles?
No, 10 clicks is not 10 miles; in military slang, a "klick" (spelled with a 'k') means one kilometer, so 10 klicks is 10 kilometers, which equals about 6.2 miles (since 1 kilometer is roughly 0.62 miles). The confusion might come from old car odometers where "clicks" sometimes referred to tenths of a mile, but in modern usage, especially military, a klick is a kilometer. 1 Klick = 1 Kilometer, 1 Kilometer ≈ 0.62 miles, and 10 Klicks = 10 Kilometers ≈ 6.2 miles.
Is a Mike a mile?
No, a "mike" is not a mile; in military slang, a "mike" usually means minute, as in "five mikes" for five minutes, or it's the phonetic letter 'M', but it can also refer to a microphone, while "mile" is a unit of distance. People often confuse these military terms, but "mike" (minute/M) and "mile" (distance) are distinct, though related through the letter M.
Is there a limit to human clicking speed?
practically no one can click 125 times in a second. The highest manual value is around 15 CPS; that too when you are a pro gamer! If you literally want to test how much clicks the computer can process, you need to use an auto clicker.
What crimes disqualify you from the military?
Crimes like murder, rape, sexual assault, espionage, treason, and serious drug trafficking are major disqualifiers for military service, often with no waiver possible, as they violate core military values; however, some felonies (like burglary or assault) might be waiverable depending on the branch, time passed, and evidence of rehabilitation, though repeat offenses (like DUI) are also highly problematic, with absolute bars for offenses requiring sex offender registration or involving significant harm.
How much do you have to weigh to be drafted?
The weight standards are about your height and gender. For example, if you're 60 inches tall and a male, you must be 141lb maximum. If you're 70 inches and a female, you cannot weigh more than 177lb. The weight range is from 127lb to 241lb but depends on your height and age.
Is 27 too old for the military?
No, 27 is generally not too old for the military, as most branches have active duty age limits well past this age, like the Army (up to 35), Navy/Coast Guard (up to 41), and Air/Space Force (up to 42). While the Marine Corps has a younger limit (up to 28) for enlisted, 27 falls comfortably within the eligibility for most services, offering benefits like maturity and experience, though physical adaptation to training can be a factor.
How much is $20 worth in jail?
With $20 per month, the prisoner could at least purchase soap, quality toothpaste (and a quality toothbrush), and batteries for their radio. Even a single check for $15 could allow a prisoner to purchase a few comforts which would traditionally be outside of their reach.
What jobs can felons not get?
While there's no universal "forbidden" list, felons often face significant barriers in jobs requiring licenses (teaching, law, healthcare), government roles (police, security clearance), finance (banking, trading), transportation (pilots, conductors), and any position involving vulnerable populations (children, elderly), with restrictions varying by state and the nature of the conviction, especially for crimes related to honesty, violence, or substance abuse.
Who cannot join the military?
Military disqualifications stem from medical, criminal, and character issues, including severe or recent mental health conditions (like psychosis, bipolar, major depression needing meds), certain chronic illnesses (diabetes, asthma after age 13, severe allergies, epilepsy), significant vision/hearing problems, certain legal offenses (felonies, multiple DUIs), and substance abuse, though waivers may be possible for some issues like a single DUI or some past injuries. Factors like height, weight, and specific vision/hearing standards (like color blindness) can also restrict job eligibility, with the Department of Defense providing detailed medical standards.