Ok, im 28 and have a misdemeanor on my record one month after turning 18. Im 28 now. I heard when filling out your SF 86 they only require you to indicate any trouble with the law in the past 5 years--of which there has been none. My question is, when they do background checks and look at you local state and federal records, will they look back 10 years when i was 18, or check only the past 5 years or so. thanks.

quote:

will they look back 10 years when i was 18,

Yes. Anything in your history will be checked.
Just be totaly honest and upfront and usually you won't have any problems. Of course it also depends on what the charges were for. The big problems start if you try to conceal something. Then you could loose everything you've worked for by staying out of trouble and get discharged for fraudulent enlistment at worst and no security clearance at best. That would limit you greatly in what jobs you would have available to you.

I'me trying to figure out why your posting this on the Navy forums but the answer will be the same for the Army.

While I do not know about what the Army is looking for I went thru an SBI at age 27. They went back to my old high school to check things so they will most likely go beyond 5 years.

Who told you they only look back 5 years?

Sorry i meant 7 years. . . i dont recall whre i read 5 yrs.