My name is Rion Price and all my life all I have ever wanted was to be in the military. I was convicted (as an adult) when I was 15yrs. old for assault. I tried enlisting when I turned 18 and was turned away. I was considered a liability. I am now 26. I don't understand the reason behind this prejudice. I believe that if I wish to serve my country no one should be able to tell me no unless I fail basic. I was never given the chance. I feel like a failure. I believe that if Joe Blow and Jane Snow can be given this opportunity of proving themselves than I should also be given this chance. If nothing else than at least let me pass or fail on my own. Thanks to all who read this and thank you to all who serve. I wish I was there with you.

With all due Respect,
Rion Price

Numbers....... one, life is hard and ones mistakes oftimes have a heavy price. Two, serving ones country is *not* a right, it is a privledge. With todays times the military is able to be very choosy whom they let in.. one avenue that may be open to you is the Reserves/Guard.. prove your worth there and *that* may open the door you seek.

It is not prejudice. Individuals with felony convictions more likely to be disciplinary problems than those who have not. I am not saying that this would be the case with you.
But with the present economic conditions the military can afford to be choosier about who they accept. As m551 says military service is a priviledge and not a right.

Well said Tank. Rion, the old adage,"An oh crap can erase a lifetime of attaboys." Well at 15 you basically started your life with an "oh crap", now you have to win a bucket load of attaboys to gain the trust of people.

You could probably go to the court where you were convicted & ask about expunging your record. Certain crimes after a period of time are allowed to be expunged. I don't know if assault falls in with this, but worth a try.

Good luck & don't take it too hard. You can also serve by becoming involved in your community as a volunteer firefighter or EMS.

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You could probably go to the court where you were convicted & ask about expunging your record. Certain crimes after a period of time are allowed to be expunged. I don't know if assault falls in with this, but worth a try.

All records expunged and even pardoned records still have to be revealed on the enlistment questioner and can be used to block the enlistment. The question is have you ever been: _________________. I'm sure pardoned and expunged records may be overlooked. Expunged doesn't mean forgiven and to receive a pardon the individual admits his wrong doing.

Again, as m551 says military service is a privilege and not a right.

We wish the OP the very best in life. This country seriously needs good citizens to support our military and the Constitution.

OAL

You broke the law...simple as that.The military used to take people ,on waivers, certian people who had minor criminal criminal records.

They don't do that anymore, they don't have the time to rehab someone who has a criminal history. That record is going to follow you around for the rest of your life.

"If you can't do the time, don't do the crime"

Children at the age of 15 are usually protected from criminal convictions under the juvenile delinquency statutes. An exception to this law is the most serious degree of assault; let's say 1st degree. Besides requiring a protracted (long term) injury, usually other aggravating factors come into play like using a weapon. If an adult did this offense he could face 25 years in prison. It should've been made clear that this conduct has lifetime consequences. I bet you are even prohibited from owning a rifle or shotgun, which ordinarily isn't illegal.

The military is probably not an option, but only an established recruiter can interpret these policies. Remember there's other ways to serve. Please consider a volunteer FD or ambulance corp. There's first rate training involved and a source of pride in contributing towards saving lives. Good luck.

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I feel like a

Why do I get the feeling that you are telling yourself that if I can't "even" get in the military I must be really messed up.

Mr. Price.
Life isn't being unfair to you.
You chose to commit a crime.
You got caught.
You got convicted.
Whomever you assaulted will always have been your victim.
Life doesn't have a "learner's permit" that allows anti-social, deviant behavior.
Tango Sierra, Mr. Price.