BogiDope Community,

Quick hit on something that comes up with some applicants in the hiring process that nobody likes to talk about: adverse legal proceedings. There are applicants on both the rated and UPT side of the hiring house that have had run-ins with the law in the past. Does that disqualify you from being a military pilot?
Short answer: No. You can absolutely be a mil pilot after legal troubles. There are some obvious caveats and every instance is different. Here are some general best practices if you have an arrest on your record.
-Gather all the details of proceedings and have them handy. Dates, reports, proceedings, and outcomes.
-Be forthcoming and upfront about the issue AT ALL TIMES. This includes on applications, HR reviews, and interviews. Most minor legal issues are either a non-issue or moral waiver eligible as long as your integrity is never called into question.
-Develop your personal lessons learned and “redemption arc” into an interview talking point. Being able to ID and grow from these events may actually be an asset.