What would stop me from joining the army?
Asked by: Ciara Borer | Last update: November 26, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (53 votes)
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 makes you unable to join the military?
Physical conditions, such as asthma, certain heart conditions, or a history of concussions or traumatic brain injuries can also disqualify you. Weight and body composition is another area militaries pay attention to. If you're under or overweight for your height, it could result in disqualification.
What disqualifies you from the Army?
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.
Why would you be denied from the Army?
There are several reasons why the military might not accept your application. These include your age, weight, medical condition, criminal history, and even select tattoos. Serving in the military is a privilege, not a right. Hence, you're not entitled to military service just because you're an American citizen.
What diagnosis will keep you out of the military?
Impulsivity and conduct disorders. Any form of anxiety requiring medication, outpatient treatment, or hospitalization. Neurotic, mood, somatoform, dissociative or factitious disorders requiring medication, outpatient treatment, or hospitalization. Eating disorders.
What could disqualify you from joining Army or even the military
What diseases disqualify you from the military?
Chronic disease of the abdominal organs; chronic or recent hepatitis, including hepatitis B carriers; inflammatory bowel disorders are likely to result in medical disqualification.
What STDs disqualify you from the military?
For sti it states: “current or history of genital infection or ulceration, including, but not limited to herpes genitalis or condyloma acuminatum, if of sufficient severity to require frequent intervention or to interfere with normal function, is disqualifying.” also disqualifying is current untreated syphilis.
Why won't the Army accept me?
Being in the Army can be challenging both physically and mentally. Therefore, a history of health problems or the presence of health conditions that usually don't affect your everyday life, can mean that you're not able to join, or you might have to wait to join.
What crimes prevent you from joining the military?
- Felony offenses.
- Domestic violence charges.
- Drug-related offenses.
- Sex crimes and sexual misconduct.
- Financial misconduct.
- Traffic and non-traffic misdemeanors.
- Juvenile offenses.
Why would I be denied access to a military base?
ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CONVICTIONS: - Abduction, aiding and abetting a felon, assault with a deadly weapon, child pornography, violations of protective orders, impersonation, failure to register as a sex offender, stalking, murder, manslaughter, attempted murder, possession of WMD, terrorist threats against Govt / Govt ...
What fails a military background check?
You may be disqualified from a high security clearance job if your record contains any of the following: a single serious crime, a series of lesser offenses, embezzlement, income tax evasion (or other financial crimes), sexual offenses, crimes related to excessive alcohol or drug consumption, a history of personality ...
What prevents you from joining the Army?
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.
Why can't people join the Army?
Anyone wanting to join the army has to pass a tough medical . People with heart problems, back problems, hearing or vision problems, among other things, will struggle to make the grade. But a range of other conditions can also affect candidates' chances of being accepted.
What tattoos disqualify you from the military?
What's Not Allowed. The content of allowed tattoos has not changed. Any indecent, violent, racist, sexist, or vulgar Army tattoos are prohibited no matter where they are on the body. This includes tattoos with exposed nudity, gang affiliations, anti-government statements, or glorified violence.
What can the military reject you for?
- 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 branch gives the most waivers?
Different branches have different personnel needs and may approve of your waiver. In general, the Army has the reputation of approving the most moral waivers, while the Air Force and Coast Guard approve the fewest. The Navy and the Marines fall somewhere in the middle. However, this is not always the case.
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.
Can I join the Army if I have anxiety?
The DoD fitness standards exclude any individuals who have a history of anxiety disorders.
What allergies can disqualify you from the military?
If you have a current diagnosis of anaphylactic allergy to nuts or other foods and you really are allergic to these, you cannot join up. If you are allergic to wasp or bee stings you may be eligible but only if you have been desensitised and no longer need to carry an adrenaline auto injector (AAI).
Does the military check your mental health records?
The third screening measure consists of a review of medical screening forms and a general psychiatric evaluation, which is integrated into the entrance physical examination at military entrance processing stations.
What is black clap disease?
Key facts. Gonorrhoea ('the clap') is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria that may infect your throat, anus, urethra, cervix and eyes. Gonorrhoea can cause a sore throat, conjunctivitis, unusual vaginal or penile discharge, and pelvic and genital pain.
What disqualifies you from MEPS?
What can disqualify you at MEPS? Any disqualifications that appear during your MEPS physical exam or interview may prevent you from joining the Army. These disqualifications can include illegal drug use, alcohol dependence, not meeting height and weight requirements, having certain contagious diseases, among others.
Which military branch has the most STDs?
The highest rates of chlamydia were observed in the Army (2,290.6 per 100,000 p-yrs) and Marine Corps (2,170.3 per 100,000 p-yrs), while the Navy and Air Force had the highest rates of genital HPV (532.4 and 509.8 per 100,000 p-yrs, respectively).