Will a Military Conviction Show up on a Background Check? (Full Answer)

Former service members whose tenure ended under unfavorable conditions may wonder, “Will a military conviction show up on a background check?”

This is a complex issue with many factors to consider, and this article provides the full answer to this important question.

Since all kinds of background checks are increasing in use, everything from employment and tenant background checks to military visitor base background checks, knowing exactly what will appear on any given type of background screening can be crucial.

For military members who have a military conviction and are entering civilian life, the two key things to know are:

• What type of check is being performed?
• What was the severity of the military conviction?
• How long ago did the conviction occur?

These three factors impact whether a military conviction will show up on a background check.

Continue reading to find out the information seen in background check reports for the military and if and when military convictions show up on a background check.

Do Military Background Checks (Military Background Investigations) Show up for a Civilian Job?

Individuals asking “Will a military conviction show up on a background check?” may also be curious whether military background checks show up when applying for civilian jobs.

For enlisted service members, the military will conduct a fingerprint background check which will examine the most recent seven to ten years of an individual’s history. A civilian job post-military may use the same background check process, and it will also show the most recent seven to ten years’ history. If there is an overlap between the two-time frames, the information will appear on the civilian background check as well. However, a record of a military background check being performed is unlikely to show up on a future background check for a civilian job.

It is a bit different for higher-ranking military members, particularly those requiring security clearance. Individuals seeking security clearance must undergo a more stringent background check looking back at least ten years, with periodic re-investigations thereafter. There are three levels of security clearance:³

• Confidential – reinvestigation every fifteen years
• Secret – reinvestigation every ten years
• Top Secret – reinvestigation every five years

While the investigations themselves will not show up on background checks for a civilian job, individuals who have held or currently hold security clearance have an advantage when applying for jobs and will appear more appealing, particularly for government jobs or other high-sensitivity positions.¹⁹

Types of Background Checks: Does a Military Conviction Go on Civilian Criminal Record?

Because background check types are varied, whether or not a military conviction will show up depends on the type of check being run.

Typically, a name-based background check (level 1 background check) won’t show disciplinary actions for minor offenses, however, according to federal law, the DD 214 Form falls under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Therefore, if consent is authorized for the background check, an employer has the right to request that form and see the information contained that is permissible. This means that medical history and discharge information will not be included.

However, for level 2 background checks (fingerprints used to check national databases) and higher (level 3 and level 4 background checks), military convictions will show up on these criminal history screenings.

In addition, a military conviction regarding a sex offense, that requires the offender to register on the sex offender registry will also show up on any background check.

How Far Back Does a Background Check Go?

When wondering will a military conviction show up on a background check, how long ago the conviction occurred will play a role. If the conviction was over 10 years ago, it will probably not show up.

However, if the conviction was less than seven years ago, it will be present if the conviction resulted from a court martial.

Can an Employer Ask About Military Service? (Are Court Martial Records Public?)

Employers may ask an applicant about their military experience and skills related to the job applied for, but they are barred from asking an applicant directly about the reason for discharge. If an individual discloses military experience to an employer, the background check will seek to verify the dates of service, rank, duties, training, and work experience.

The military may direct the employer or background check company to the DD-214 discharge papers for relevant information.

The DD-214 form contains a record of any court-martial and the associated discharge status. This form is available to employers upon request. While employers are prohibited by Equal Employment Opportunity laws from discriminating against an applicant because of medical issues, disabilities, or individual preferences, they may take into account any criminal charges.

Because a conviction from a court-martial goes on an individual’s record like a civilian criminal conviction, it shows up on a federal or fingerprint background check.^{5 16}

Does a Background Check Show Military History? (Will a Military Conviction Show Up on a Background Check?)

Former service members with military convictions are actively searching for suitable jobs all the time and agonizing over the question of will a military conviction show up on a background check.

There are various reasons why an individual may choose not to disclose their military history, and if there is no associated criminal conviction, the background check will not show military history. Military records for self or next-of-kin can be obtained through the U.S. Government²⁶ website.

A background check will verify the reported employment history. Therefore, if an individual reports military service on an application, the company conducting the background check will validate that information through the specified military branch or institution and will likely request a DD-214 form for verification of skills and experience.

If an individual chooses not to divulge military history, it is unlikely that a typical background check will show it. However, there are exceptions to this. If an individual is seeking a government or federal job or one requiring security clearance, a higher level background check will likely uncover military history.¹⁸

Furthermore, it should be assumed that any military conviction tried by court-martial will show up on an individual’s criminal record.¹⁰

Does a MEPS Background Check Show up for a Government Job? (MEPS FBI Background Check)

Government jobs often require varying levels of security clearance and as such require a security clearance background check. This type of background check looks back further and is more stringent than a typical military background check. It is likely to show the action and outcome of a previous MEPS background check. Read more about federal jobs and security clearances at USAJOBS.²⁵

Do You Lose VA Benefits If Convicted of a Crime?

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,²⁷ veterans must receive an “other than dishonorable” discharge to be eligible for most veterans’ benefits. This means that a military conviction sentenced through a court-martial will render most individuals ineligible for benefits.  The VA may make specific determinations or exceptions on a case-by-case basis for bad conduct and dishonorable discharges.

What Disqualifies You From VA Benefits?

There are various reasons for which an individual may be disqualified from VA benefits. The following list details reasons concurrent with military service time.⁷

• The veteran was dishonorably discharged
• The veteran’s injury was caused by misconduct
• The veteran injury occurred while the individual was detained for court-martial or civil court felony

Furthermore, a veteran may also lose access to benefits for incidents transpiring after military discharge.⁴

• Benefit reduction for felony incarceration
• Benefit discontinuation for a felony fugitive

How Thorough Are Military Background Checks? (What All Shows Up on a Military Background Check?)

The military’s recruitment and vetting process are extensive and involved. There are some common steps that are consistent across all branches of the military.

Individuals begin by completing questionnaires about themselves and any criminal background they may have. Recruits are processed through a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), where they undergo physical, moral, and aptitude evaluations.[23] This is also where a background check is initiated. Federal employees, military included, are required to undergo an FBI fingerprint background check to search for local, state, and federal-level crimes.^12,15

A military background check will produce the following information:⁸

• Identity and SSN verification
• Personal information (marital status, residential status, etc)
• Employment and work history
• Financial history (bankruptcies, excessive debt, tax evasion)
• Driving history
• Prior military history
• Social media information
• Local, state, and federal criminal history

This background check will disclose an individual’s criminal history for at least the most recent seven years. If an individual is anxious about the results of the background check they can explore the steps of getting a background check done on themselves before the military check is conducted.

An individual who is honest about criminal history at the outset may be granted the opportunity to file a waiver of admittance for a criminal record, depending on the severity of the crime.²¹ Some felony-level crimes, such as drug distribution or sexual assault are unlikely to be eligible for a waiver of admittance.²⁰

Recruits must also complete the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), a timed test to measure an individual’s aptitude and fitness for various military occupations. An Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score is generated from four subtests:¹

• Mathematics knowledge
• Arithmetic reasoning
• Paragraph comprehension
• Word knowledge

Each military branch has varying score requirements, as do various positions and ranks.

Recruits also undergo a medical evaluation through the MEPS to determine if their health is consistent with military standards. This exam looks at:

• Weight and Height
• Vision and Hearing
• Urine and Blood Tests
• Pregnancy Tests
• Drug and Alcohol Tests

Individuals are fingerprinted for a criminal background check, and a Pre-Enlistment Interview (PEI) is conducted to ensure that an individual has the integrity and values consistent with military standards.

Some military positions require a security clearance, and the process to obtain a security clearance is more lengthy and involved. While a typical military background check may take up to a few weeks, security clearance background checks regularly take as long as two months.^3,15

While there are some similarities across all branches of the military, there are also aspects that are unique to each. The sections and tables below detail the recruitment and background check process and expectations for each military branch.

United States Army Background Check

The first step to joining the U.S. Army is speaking with an Army recruiter to find out if the decision is the best fit. Recruiters guide individuals through the various steps of enlistment and training.

After completing the initial questionnaires, individuals report to a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) for the next steps. A recruit can expect to spend one to two days at the MEPS completing the entrance processing.¹⁷

At the MEPS, recruits complete:

• The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
• A medical evaluation
• A physical examination
• An FBI background check
• The Pre-Enlistment Interview (PEI)

Browse the table below for specifics in each of these areas.

United States Marine Corps Background Check

The first step to joining the United States Marine Corps is speaking with a Marine Recruiter to determine eligibility and suitability. Recruiters guide individuals through the various steps of enlistment and training.

After completing the initial questionnaires, individuals report to a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) for the next steps. A recruit can expect to spend one to two days at the MEPS completing the entrance processing.¹⁷

At the MEPS, recruits complete:

• The Initial Strength Test (IST)
• The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
• A medical evaluation
• An FBI background check
• The Pre-Enlistment Interview (PEI)
• The Physical Fitness Test (PFT)
• The Combat Fitness Test (CFT)

Browse the table below for specifics in each of these areas.

United States Navy Background Check

The first step to joining the United States Navy is contacting a naval recruiter to determine eligibility and suitability. Recruiters guide individuals through the various steps of enlistment and training.

After completing the initial questionnaires, individuals report to a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) for the next steps. A recruit can expect to spend one to two days at the MEPS completing the entrance processing.¹⁷

At the MEPS, recruits complete:

• The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
• A medical evaluation
• The Navy Physical Readiness Test (PRT)
• An FBI background check
• The Pre-Enlistment Interview (PEI)

Browse the table below for specifics in each of these areas.

U.S. Air Force Background Check

The first step to joining the U.S. Air Force is contacting an Air Force recruiter to determine eligibility and suitability. Recruiters guide individuals through the various steps of enlistment and training.

After completing the initial questionnaires, individuals report to a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) for the next steps. A recruit can expect to spend one to two days at the MEPS completing the entrance processing.¹⁷

At the MEPS, recruits complete:

• The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
• A medical evaluation
• A physical evaluation
• An FBI background check
• The Pre-Enlistment Interview (PEI)

Browse the table below for specifics in each of these areas.

United States Coast Guard Background Check

The first step to joining the United States Coast Guard is contacting a Coast Guard recruiter to determine eligibility and suitability. Recruiters guide individuals through the various steps of enlistment and training.

After completing the initial questionnaires, individuals report to a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) for the next steps. A recruit can expect to spend one to two days at the MEPS completing the entrance processing.¹⁷

At the MEPS, recruits complete:

• The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
• A military entrance medical exam
• A physical evaluation
• An FBI background check
• The Pre-Enlistment Interview (PEI)
• The Whole Person Evaluation

Browse the table below for specifics in each of these areas.

Space Force Background Check

The first step to joining the U.S. Space Force is speaking with an Air Force recruiter to determine eligibility and suitability. Recruiters guide individuals through the various steps of enlistment and training.

After completing the initial questionnaires, individuals report to a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) for the next steps. A recruit can expect to spend one to two days at the MEPS completing the entrance processing.¹⁷

At the MEPS, recruits complete:

• The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
• A medical evaluation
• A physical evaluation
• An FBI background check
• The Pre-Enlistment Interview (PEI)

Browse the table below for specifics in each of these areas.

How Far Back Does the Military Do a Background Check?

The military’s background check is a federal-level fingerprint check which will look back at least seven years for enlisted members and at least ten years for officers or security clearance positions.¹¹

However, depending on the branch of service involved, the background check may examine further than 10 years.

Whether or not a military conviction will show up on a civilian background check depends on the type of check being run, how long ago the conviction was, and whether it was the result of a court martial. The bottom line is that if the court-martial conviction occurred less than 10 years ago, it will likely show up.

The military is a complex system with many regulations and procedures, and sometimes individuals find themselves on the wrong side of this system due to some form of misconduct. Former military members anxious about finding a job following a military conviction can know the answer to “Will a military conviction show up on a background check?” by determining the level of the crime and the type of the check being performed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Will a Military Conviction Show Up on a Background Check?