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17 yr old son has "dismissed ACD" - can't join army?

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denibeans63

Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? new york
Pls help. Thsis is long, I apologize: My son , who just turned 18, has been talking about joining the military for years. While I am against it, his interest has not declined, so through my tears, I am supportive. Last september, he was caught with pot (maybe a teaspoon full ) and arrested on school grounds. He went to court .. at that point I thought maybe the military was preferable to jail if he was going to go down any path, and i started to go with him to meet the recruiters thinking they would help motivate him to do better. it worked and he has really come around. They were aware at the time of the situation and only asked "were you fingerprinted?" (he was not). In may this year, the "disposition" of the case is "closed and sealed" - court says "like it never happened". Recruiter has my son get it unsealed and says that b/c the disposition says "dismissed with ACD, that as far as the military goes (or army) He can't join. My son is devastated. He was supposed to go today and get his tests done. I have asked for a meeting with the judge, and the recruiter suggested the same ant that he go, but court is telling me that they have never had this issue before and that is just hte way the computer prints out the forms. as far as they are concerned...he has no record. So: 1) is this true? 2) is it because it was drug related 3) is it only the army that has this issue - what about other branches? 4) do we try another recruiter? Thanks for your help.
 


ERAUPIKE

Senior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? new york
Pls help. Thsis is long, I apologize: My son , who just turned 18, has been talking about joining the military for years. While I am against it, his interest has not declined, so through my tears, I am supportive. Last september, he was caught with pot (maybe a teaspoon full ) and arrested on school grounds. He went to court .. at that point I thought maybe the military was preferable to jail if he was going to go down any path, and i started to go with him to meet the recruiters thinking they would help motivate him to do better. it worked and he has really come around. They were aware at the time of the situation and only asked "were you fingerprinted?" (he was not). In may this year, the "disposition" of the case is "closed and sealed" - court says "like it never happened". Recruiter has my son get it unsealed and says that b/c the disposition says "dismissed with ACD, that as far as the military goes (or army) He can't join. My son is devastated. He was supposed to go today and get his tests done. I have asked for a meeting with the judge, and the recruiter suggested the same ant that he go, but court is telling me that they have never had this issue before and that is just hte way the computer prints out the forms. as far as they are concerned...he has no record. So: 1) is this true? 2) is it because it was drug related 3) is it only the army that has this issue - what about other branches? 4) do we try another recruiter? Thanks for your help.
When was your son arrested?

How long was the time period of ACD that the judge assigned to his case?
 

denibeans63

Junior Member
eraupike: thanks for response:

date of arrest was 11/06/09 and he was 16 at the time , not 17 yet (i stand corrected!) . the disposition date was 5/24/2010. the only mention of "time" was they said he had to stay out of trouble for 6 months, so i would imagine that is where the may date came in. I called them in May and they said b/c he stayed out of trouble, we didn't have to do anything. ANd he has really straightened out since then.
the actual disposition reads "dism'd CPL170.56 ACD

military says it's the fact that ACD is on there that is the problem?
 
Its possible the feds either a) got the record before the 6 mos. were up or b) can get the records anyway.

If he wanted to join the army he should have not smoked pot, its simple. He is not worthy of being in the army (says the army). And if he continues drugs, in society as well.

I do not see any of the other services taking him .. I believe that they share the information each one gets with each other.

You can try the other branches but I would not get my hopes up.
 

ERAUPIKE

Senior Member
eraupike: thanks for response:

date of arrest was 11/06/09 and he was 16 at the time , not 17 yet (i stand corrected!) . the disposition date was 5/24/2010. the only mention of "time" was they said he had to stay out of trouble for 6 months, so i would imagine that is where the may date came in. I called them in May and they said b/c he stayed out of trouble, we didn't have to do anything. ANd he has really straightened out since then.
the actual disposition reads "dism'd CPL170.56 ACD

military says it's the fact that ACD is on there that is the problem?
The recruiter could not let him join since he was on a sort of probation until 11/24/2010. When your son was released from ACD he should have received a letter stating that all of his conditions have been met and he has been released from ACD.

George1776 couldn't be more wrong. While your son should poor judgement using marijuana, his use of the drug is not a sign of great moral turpitude. The Army would actually be the most likely branch to accept him for service since their drug policy is much more lax than their three counterparts. Your son will likely be issued waivers and nothing more.

Good luck.
 

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