MEPS Moral and Background Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A recruiter discovers an applicant was convicted of felony assault five years ago. What is the typical MEPS outcome without a waiver?
- Automatic enlistment denial (Correct answer)
- Delayed entry for two years
- Immediate enlistment approval
- Transfer to a reserve unit
Correct answer: Automatic enlistment denial
Felony convictions generally result in automatic disqualification from military service unless a waiver is approved.
Question 2: Which agency conducts the background investigation for a SECRET security clearance required for military service?
- Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) (Correct answer)
- FBI Criminal Division
- Department of Homeland Security
- Office of Personnel Management audit branch
Correct answer: Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA)
DCSA (formerly NBIB) is the primary agency responsible for conducting personnel security investigations for the DoD.
Question 3: An applicant discloses a juvenile shoplifting charge that was expunged. What is the MEPS guidance on reporting expunged juvenile records?
- They must still be disclosed on military enlistment forms (Correct answer)
- They are never required to be disclosed
- Only felonies must be disclosed regardless of expungement
- Disclosure is optional at the applicant's discretion
Correct answer: They must still be disclosed on military enlistment forms
Military enlistment forms require disclosure of all offenses, including expunged juvenile records, unlike many civilian applications.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes the purpose of the SF-86 form completed during background screening?
- To collect personal history for a security clearance investigation (Correct answer)
- To authorize a drug test at MEPS
- To enroll the applicant in the Selective Service System
- To document physical examination results
Correct answer: To collect personal history for a security clearance investigation
The SF-86 (Questionnaire for National Security Positions) collects detailed personal history used to adjudicate security clearances.
Question 5: An applicant has three misdemeanor convictions within the past two years. How does this typically affect enlistment eligibility?
- It raises a significant moral character concern requiring waiver review (Correct answer)
- It has no impact if none involved violence
- It only matters if the convictions resulted in jail time
- Misdemeanors are always waived automatically
Correct answer: It raises a significant moral character concern requiring waiver review
Multiple recent misdemeanor convictions are a pattern of behavior that raises moral character concerns and typically requires waiver approval.
Question 6: What does the term 'moral waiver' mean in the military enlistment context?
- An exception granted allowing enlistment despite a disqualifying legal history (Correct answer)
- A promise by the applicant to maintain good conduct after enlistment
- A form waiving the right to an attorney during MEPS processing
- An agreement to accept reduced rank due to prior offenses
Correct answer: An exception granted allowing enlistment despite a disqualifying legal history
A moral waiver is an official exception to enlistment policy that allows an otherwise-disqualified applicant to enlist after command review.
Question 7: Which type of prior offense is LEAST likely to require a waiver for military enlistment?
- A single traffic citation with no criminal charge (Correct answer)
- A DUI resulting in a misdemeanor conviction
- Possession of a controlled substance
- A domestic violence misdemeanor conviction
Correct answer: A single traffic citation with no criminal charge
Minor traffic infractions that did not result in criminal charges generally do not constitute moral disqualifiers requiring waivers.
MEPS Moral and Background Standards 2
A recruiter discovers an applicant was convicted of felony assault five years ago.
What is the typical MEPS outcome without a waiver?