Free Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) Moral and Background Screening Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An applicant at MEPS discloses a single misdemeanor conviction for petty theft from three years ago. What is the immediate and proper next step for the MEPS staff and service liaison to take?
- Immediately disqualify the applicant from all branches of service.
- Advise the applicant to omit this information from their security questionnaire.
- Initiate the process for a moral waiver request with the respective service branch. (Correct answer)
- Require the applicant to take a polygraph test to verify the details of the offense.
Correct answer: Initiate the process for a moral waiver request with the respective service branch.
A past misdemeanor does not necessarily result in automatic disqualification. The standard procedure is to gather all relevant court documents and personal statements to submit a moral waiver packet to the specific service the applicant is trying to join. The service's waiver authority then decides based on the "whole person" concept, the nature of the offense, and the needs of the service.
Question 2: Which of the following is the primary form used at MEPS to collect comprehensive personal history information for initiating a national security background investigation?
- SF 86 (Questionnaire for National Security Positions) (Correct answer)
- DD Form 4 (Enlistment/Reenlistment Document)
- DD Form 2807-2 (Accessions Medical History Report)
- DD Form 369 (Police Record Check)
Correct answer: SF 86 (Questionnaire for National Security Positions)
The SF 86 is the extensive and detailed U.S. government questionnaire used to gather information for conducting background investigations for national security positions and security clearances. The DD Form 369 is a request for a police record check, the DD Form 2807-2 is for medical history, and the DD Form 4 is the actual enlistment contract.
Question 3: During the background screening process, an applicant's fingerprints are collected and submitted electronically. What is the primary purpose of this action?
- To create a military ID card for the applicant in advance.
- To check against FBI and other criminal justice databases for any undisclosed criminal history. (Correct answer)
- To verify the applicant's identity against their birth certificate.
- To enroll the applicant into the military's system for tracking future conduct.
Correct answer: To check against FBI and other criminal justice databases for any undisclosed criminal history.
Fingerprints are collected at MEPS to conduct a thorough criminal background check by comparing them against the FBI's Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) and other criminal databases. This step is crucial for verifying the applicant's self-disclosed information on the SF 86 and uncovering any potential disqualifying criminal history.
Question 4: Which of the following situations, if discovered during a background check, would most likely require a moral waiver and significant review under the security adjudication guidelines?
- The applicant has a student loan that is currently in deferment.
- The applicant was fired from a previous job for tardiness.
- The applicant has several thousand dollars of credit card debt that has been sent to a collections agency. (Correct answer)
- The applicant traveled to Canada for a one-week vacation two years ago.
Correct answer: The applicant has several thousand dollars of credit card debt that has been sent to a collections agency.
Significant financial difficulties, such as unresolved debts in collections, are a major red flag in security clearance investigations. Adjudicative Guideline F (Financial Considerations) views such issues as a potential vulnerability, as financial distress could make an individual susceptible to bribery or coercion. While the other options are part of the applicant's history, they do not typically represent the same level of security concern as unmanaged debt.
Question 5: An applicant is completing the SF 86 and is unsure whether to report a sealed juvenile offense that was expunged from their record. What is the only correct guidance MEPS personnel can provide?
- Tell the applicant that since the record is sealed, it does not need to be reported.
- Advise the applicant to contact a private lawyer before proceeding.
- Instruct the applicant to leave the section blank and discuss it later with an investigator.
- Emphasize that they must answer all questions truthfully and completely, regardless of whether a record has been sealed or expunged. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Emphasize that they must answer all questions truthfully and completely, regardless of whether a record has been sealed or expunged.
For the purpose of national security background checks, all criminal history must be disclosed, even if it has been sealed, expunged, or occurred as a juvenile. The instructions on the SF 86 are explicit about this requirement. Intentionally omitting this information is considered falsification and is a federal offense under 18 U.S.C. § 1001, which is a far more serious issue than the original offense.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of the DD Form 369, Police Record Check, in the MEPS screening process?
- To authorize a credit report from the three major credit bureaus.
- To serve as the applicant's consent form for the drug and alcohol test.
- To formally request a check of local law enforcement agency records for any criminal history. (Correct answer)
- To document an applicant's interview with the service liaison about their moral character.
Correct answer: To formally request a check of local law enforcement agency records for any criminal history.
The DD Form 369 is specifically used to request information from local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies about an applicant's criminal history. This form helps verify the information provided by the applicant and identifies any discreditable involvement with law enforcement that might affect their eligibility for enlistment.
Free Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) Moral and Background Screening Questions and Answers
An applicant at MEPS discloses a single misdemeanor conviction for petty theft from three years ago.
What is the immediate and proper next step for the MEPS staff and service liaison to take?