Recruiter Encouraging Dishonesty?

[dohopeful13]

Hey guys, I have MEPS coming this Wednesday and am in a bit of a pickle. When I originally did my paperwork, I checked No when asked about "any contact with law enforcement." I remembered recently that I actually received a speeding ticket last year. The ticket was for going only 7 MPH over but it required a mandatory court appearance since I didn't have my current insurance card on me. I believe both the speeding ticket and insurance thing are technically Class C misdemeanors in my state, but I simply showed up to my court date with proof of insurance and my ticket was dismissed in like 5 seconds - I paid nothing. When I mentioned the ticket to my recruiter, he kind of brushed it off and said it wouldn't show up on the background check since it was dismissed. He stressed the importance of not changing my story at all as it would get me sent home from MEPS and complicate things. I feel really apprehensive and uncomfortable about this. The tickets didn't show up on my med school background check - but I'm sure the military check is much more thorough and I don't want to get in any trouble.

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[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Hey guys, I have MEPS coming this Wednesday and am in a bit of a pickle. When I originally did my paperwork, I checked No when asked about "any contact with law enforcement." I remembered recently that I actually received a speeding ticket last year. The ticket was for going only 7 MPH over but it required a mandatory court appearance since I didn't have my current insurance card on me. I believe both the speeding ticket and insurance thing are technically Class C misdemeanors in my state, but I simply showed up to my court date with proof of insurance and my ticket was dismissed in like 5 seconds - I paid nothing. When I mentioned the ticket to my recruiter, he kind of brushed it off and said it wouldn't show up on the background check since it was dismissed. He stressed the importance of not changing my story at all as it would get me sent home from MEPS and complicate things. I feel really apprehensive and uncomfortable about this. The tickets didn't show up on my med school background check - but I'm sure the military check is much more thorough and I don't want to get in any trouble.

It’s not actually. I’m not telling you to lie, but this is not uncommon. Either way they aren’t worried about a speeding ticket that got dismissed. I was able to get a clearance with like 14 tickets in my past. It’s more about debt/income ratio and foreign contacts (obviously I’m assuming you have no felonies or domestic violence charges).

 

[deleted480308]

I would disclose

 

[dohopeful13]

I would disclose

This what I would prefer to do as I know it’s not even that big a charge and lying is a bigger deal. I guess I could just mention it before my background check at MEPS but again my recruiter made it out like it would get me sent home for not matching my previous answer. I’m kind of kicking myself not remembering it sooner because the recruiter is not interested in changing anything.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

This what I would prefer to do as I know it’s not even that big a charge and lying is a bigger deal. I guess I could just mention it before my background check at MEPS but again my recruiter made it out like it would get me sent home for not matching my previous answer. I’m kind of kicking myself not remembering it sooner because the recruiter is not interested in changing anything.

That's because they don't want to fill out more paperwork.

 

[dpmd]

A recruiter encouraging you to lie?

He might be right about the getting sent home part and it could create a delay but I am sure it would turn out fine. Would probably also turn out fine to keep your mouth shut.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

A recruiter encouraging you to lie?
View attachment 251001
He might be right about the getting sent home part and it could create a delay but I am sure it would turn out fine. Would probably also turn out fine to keep your mouth shut.

Stealing.

 

[pgg]

It's a speeding ticket for 7 over. No one cares.

Disclose it. If they ask why you didn't mention it before, say you forgot about it. That's the truth. No one will care.

 

[dohopeful13]

I’m going to contact my recruiter Monday and raise my concern just so he’s not caught by surprise if I get sent home when I disclose it at MEPS. Hopefully he’ll be willing to help me out in that instance. I know the risk is small but I don’t want to get hit with fraudulent enlistment or be denied clearance over something dumb.

 

[HighPriest]

Tell them you didn’t mention it at first because you had been fleeing the scene of something way worse, but you were never arrested for that, so NBD.

 

[d2305]

OCD traits?

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

OCD traits?

Not wanting to lie is not an OCD trait lol.

 

[d2305]

I was trained to lie convincingly.

 

[MilMD01]

OCD traits?

No - but perseverating over a non-issue likely is. Just leave it alone - if they notice your ticket - disclose that you forgot it. You can also say you notified your recruiter and he said it was a non-issue.

No one is going to kick you out of the military for forgetting a speeding ticket.

 

[haujun]

Worry over this ticket? You are going to enjoy military life.

 

[dohopeful13]

Just to update anyone in a similar situation, they did ask me directly about speeding tickets at MEPS and I was honest about it. The nurse made a comment that it wasn't on my prior documents, but she wrote it down and didn't press me on it. I think everything went smoothly although the doc said my vision is ****.

 

[HighPriest]

No sweat. Some BCGs will help you see the speed limit signs

 

[TheEarDoc]

Just to update anyone in a similar situation, they did ask me directly about speeding tickets at MEPS and I was honest about it. The nurse made a comment that it wasn't on my prior documents, but she wrote it down and didn't press me on it. I think everything went smoothly although the doc said my vision is ****.

Hey trust me I know how that goes. Roll into MEPS thinking everything is grand. Nope sorry sir you need to go see a specialist for your astigmatism. Months later I see the specialist. He chuckles that I had to see him because I was over the standard then fills out my paperwork and sends me back to MEPS. Then the wait for the medical waiver and a couple months later (lightning fast per Army standards I am told) it is approved.

Hang in there!