Free Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) Moral and Background Screening 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?

Accepted Answer

Initiate the process for a moral waiver request with the respective service branch.

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

SF 86 (Questionnaire for National Security Positions)

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

To check against FBI and other criminal justice databases for any undisclosed criminal history.

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

The applicant has several thousand dollars of credit card debt that has been sent to a collections agency.

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Emphasize that they must answer all questions truthfully and completely, regardless of whether a record has been sealed or expunged.

Answer

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.

MEPS - Military Entrance Processing Stations Practice Test

MEPS - Military Entrance Processing Stations Practice Test

Free Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) Moral and Background Screening Questions and Answers