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Give Felons The Right To Join The Army/Military

Public Comments (4,052)
  • Dec 17th, 2016
    Nathaniel H. from Ogema, MN signed.
  • Dec 17th, 2016
    Vincent R. from Duncan, OK signed.
  • Dec 17th, 2016
    Darlene R. from Duncan, OK signed.
  • Dec 15th, 2016
    Henry J. from Laurinburg, NC writes:
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    ITS NOT FAIR I HAVE A FELONY AND THREE MISDEMEANORS AND I CANNOT JOIN I DONT UNDERSTAND.THE MILITARY SHOULD AT LEAST GIVE PEOPLE A SECOND CHANCE.
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  • Dec 14th, 2016
    Someone from Emporia, KS writes:
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    Felon here, wanting only to serve and protect my country. I don't know why my past hinders me from doing so.
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  • Dec 14th, 2016
    from Oxford, PA writes:
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    Yes young people make mistakes and the system does not help them with improving their situation if they have multiple felonies and most charges they tac on multiple offenses just to try to get one money for times paid back they are expecting an 18 year old that can't get a decent job because of questions they ask on job applications they can't even try to pay back society by join the military. These minor felons should be given a Devon chance. Our goverment could even get minor covicts to do some work instead of sitting on jail and making taxpayers pay for their stay
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  • Dec 14th, 2016
    Keyonda C. from Winston Salem, NC signed.
  • Dec 13th, 2016
    Someone from Portsmouth, VA signed.
  • Dec 13th, 2016
    Tony Q. from Brawley, CA writes:
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    Just recently i looked into enlisting but due to my conviction (felony) I am unable to . I do not have anything else on record except this conviction . This is some thingi have wanted to pursue for a very long time since I was a kid . There has to be something done about this . some of us have learned from our mistakes and or paid consequences for our actions and believe we can still do right . . Let's get this petition up and running people !! I would love to serve for our country .
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  • Dec 12th, 2016
    Tabitha j. from Virginia Beach, VA writes:
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    I totally support this! Everyone should have a second chance; once they have straitened their selves up. If your serious and want to better yourself and serve your country... Why not? No one is perfect!
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  • Dec 12th, 2016
    George S. from Kansas City, MO signed.
  • Dec 12th, 2016
    Tim J. from Bristol, VA writes:
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    This is a very good idea. They have paid their dept and if they want a chance to clear their name Ann's move forward in life then this is one of the best ways to do so
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  • Dec 10th, 2016
    Gabriel O. from Lowell, AR writes:
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    I got a felony when I was 19 for fleeing. On from what would have been a criminal mischief ticket and I've made other mistakes barring me from enlisting. However, its is nothing anyone doesn't do in college. It is my thought that there needs to be a program I can go into to join or I can be evaluated by a psychiatrist if a recruiter sees interest in me! Serving is in my blood literally! I want the American dream!
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  • Dec 10th, 2016
    Gabriel O. from Lowell, AR writes:
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    I got a felony when I was 19 for fleeing. On from what would have been a criminal mischief ticket and I've made other mistakes barring me from enlisting. However, its is nothing anyone doesn't do in college. It is my thought that there needs to be a program I can go into to join or I can be evaluated by a psychiatrist if a recruiter sees interest in me! Serving is in my blood literally! I want the American dream!
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  • Dec 10th, 2016
    Someone from Madison, WI writes:
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    Please? It was my sons dream a few years back when he had a hard three years. No violent crimes but many foolish things that are in fact felonies. We know he would be an amazing soldier. It's in his blood.
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  • Dec 10th, 2016
    Someone from Jupiter, FL signed.
  • Dec 9th, 2016
    brandon g. from New Orleans, LA signed.
  • Dec 8th, 2016
    Someone from Edgewater, MD writes:
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    there are so many positives here that I couldn't fit them in the comment box. why wouldn't this be passed? look at all that the military could do for young abled bodied people with a record. of course you could implement an evaluation process to see if the convicts are stabled minded and able to be trusted with certain opportunities. this will reshape the community in so many outstanding ways.
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  • Dec 6th, 2016
    Timesey H. from Salisbury, NC writes:
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    I have always wanted to join and I let myself get in trouble at a young age and I paid for it and used it as a lesson for me to stay clear of it and all I want to do in life is to better myself I wish I had a 2ed chance ( I want the American dream)
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  • Dec 5th, 2016
    Daniel H. from Hilliard, OH signed.
  • Dec 5th, 2016
    Seth K. from Fort Worth, TX writes:
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    I'm also a felon, and my childhood dream was to be in the Army. I know it's an uphill battle but, I will not stop trying. Well, eventually I will have to stop bc if 34 now. But, no other reason will stop me from trying. I understand wanting people of good moral. BUT..... All felons aren't monsters. I'm certainly not. A lot of felons are innocent. Just saying. I think President Trump, should make this happen. Our military numbers would more than TRIPLE!!!
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  • Dec 5th, 2016
    Seth K. from Fort Worth, TX writes:
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    I'm also a felon, and my childhood dream was to be in the Army. I know it's an uphill battle but, I will not stop trying. Well, eventually I will have to stop bc if 34 now. But, no other reason will stop me from trying. I understand wanting people of good moral. BUT..... All felons aren't monsters. I'm certainly not. A lot of felons are innocent. Just saying. I think President Trump, should make this happen. Our military numbers would more than TRIPLE!!!
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  • Dec 5th, 2016
    Alda P. from Surprise, AZ signed.
  • Dec 5th, 2016
    LISA G. from Cumberland, RI signed.
  • Dec 4th, 2016
    Roy T. from Hartford, IL signed.
  • Dec 4th, 2016
    Andre C. from Upper Darby, PA signed.
  • Dec 3rd, 2016
    roger m. from Uniontown, PA writes:
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    i was convicted at 18 for theft by unlawfukl taking 2 felonies. its always been my dream to join the military they should definately accept felons. they should bring back the go to the military or go to jail option also.
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  • Dec 3rd, 2016
    Someone from Buford, GA signed.
  • Dec 3rd, 2016
    Arnell C. from Darby, PA signed.
  • Dec 3rd, 2016
    Darnell W. from Buffalo, NY signed.
  • Dec 3rd, 2016
    Martez B. from Columbus, OH writes:
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    I am 20 years old i made 1 mistake when i was 19 that made me a felon i never gotten into trouble growing up. My record was clean my dreams and goals was to join the navy and now i am a felon i feel stuck i have not yet figured out what i want to do im confused and scared that my life is over. I just feel like felons should be welcomed to protect their country and be someones super hero
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  • Dec 2nd, 2016
    sean m. from Loch Sheldrake, NY writes:
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    I was convicted of a felony sex offense in 2008. I have cleaned up my life since. I have a family. I have a beautiful fiancee and beautiful 5 year old son. I have wanted to join the military for years now and I am being denied because of my mistake 8 years ago. I believe if someone wants to serve their country they should be aloud to regardless of their past. People make mistakes. I have made mine and I did my time and paid for my mistakes. I want better for my family and myself and joining the military and serving my country would be an honor.
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  • Dec 2nd, 2016
    Patrick S. from Granbury, TX writes:
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    When I was younger it was my dream to join the military, but as I got older my life choices took me far from that goal. It is still my dream, but as a felon I find it hard. I'm wanting to serve with all my heart, always have always will. I'm doing good in life now and the military is still my dream. Please give me a chance?
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  • Dec 2nd, 2016
    Justin P. from Barryville, NY writes:
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    America is the land of opportunity. The best country in the world bar-none. Our government needs to acknowledge the high rate of felony convictions in this country. Teens and Young adults will make mistakes. That's a part of life. A smart person will learn from their mistake and become a far better person. To be held back, indefinitely, because of a mistake is not American. Everyone should get a second chance.When my father was young and stupid and you got in trouble, you had choices. Go into the military or go to jail. Now you just go to jail and are branded a felon for the rest of your life regardless how good you do in life. Sadly you can't join the military, now-a-days, period with a felony. Yes joining the military is a privilege and not a right. But so is a drivers license. You do not lose your drivers license when you are convicted of a felony. Now a convicted felon can vote in an election when just a few years ago they could not. Everyday there are 2.5 million Americans in prison. Eighty five percent of them will some day be released back into society. If you do the math, in ten years time, that is a lot of Americans that will be convicted felons. I would understand if a person kept breaking the law repeatedly and never changed their ways. The scariest part of all is in ten years the American economy will be largely supported by privatized jails and prisons. I love America and would love to be able to help protect her. I was 17 years old when I was convicted of a felony. I am now 33. That is 16 years. I have been a model citizen. Not even a speeding ticket. I have received a degree in Audio Engineering and now I am pursuing a doctorate. I still get recruiters laughing me out their offices when I ask to join. Its unfair and none American. What happened to the 14th amendment? Equal protection of the law? If your a felon you have no equal protection in America. You are just a second class citizen. It would be real interesting to see our government form a battalion of just enlisted felons in each branch of the military. The felons would have to of been law abiding for a good amount of time. I would bet my last dollar they would be the best battalions in the entire military. I don't understand what the big deal is. As long as a person can prove they have changed. What is the point of holding them back and subsequently punishing them even more for a debt they already paid to society? I thought double jeopardy was so people can not keep being punished for the same mistake time and time again. The worst part is. If this ever gets fixed I will be to old to join the military by then. I still love America and always will. I just wish America loved me the same. We only live once. We only live once.
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  • Dec 1st, 2016
    grant z. from Medford, OR signed.
  • Dec 1st, 2016
    Caitlin H. from Evans, GA writes:
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    I know quite a few people who have felonies on their records form previous mistakes they made because they are human, like the rest of us! Unfortunately, they just got caught up in something or they were just being young and stupid. Whtwver the case may be, I know that these people all accept and understand their charges and do not deny that they had made the wrong decision that led to them being charged and convicted. Now, let me be clear on the fact that none of these people are living with rape, attempted murder, child molestation or charges such as that. Honestly, most come from their younger years and are drug charges where they were caught up hanging around the wrong people and now have to live with it for the rest of their lives. These ARE good people, their record does NOT define them nor do I believe it should ban them from enlisting when I know that that is what their heart is set in doing. In all actuality, the military is actually a wonderful choice for them because they could clearly benefit from the discipline and the lifestyle change that it I should going to demand of them and just like any other soldier, they will face the consequences of their actions if they were to try and run from their duties. I believe they should be given the chance to join though. I don't speak with too many people my age who are set on enlisting and joining the military, so I believe we should not turn away those who want to join so badly, but can't all because of their criminal record. It breaks my heart to hear this person talk about what they want to do with their life, which that in itself shows a change of character from the person who received the charges to begin with, to hear them talk about wha career they would love to have the privilege of going after more than anything, but they know they can't all because of charges they acquired years ago. Sad sad sad...
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  • Dec 1st, 2016
    Jeffrey M. from Los Angeles, CA writes:
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    I am a veteran of both the Marine Corps and Army with multiple deployments, a Marine Corps combat action ribbon, a bronze star, parachute badge, air assault badge and more. I believe that there are many young people who made some mistakes but who can both better themselves and contribute to our military. I believe it is a stupid policy not to give more of them a chance.
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  • Nov 30th, 2016
    tammy t. from Picayune, MS writes:
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    If a person shows the willingness to do good things in their life, regardless of past convictions, they should have equal opportunities in the military!! Good people make bad mistakes....that doesn't make them ALL bad!! Most people without a criminal history HAVE made mistakes also....just didn't get caught!! So are we only sending the good guys to die in combat!? Give everyone equal opportunities!!
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  • Nov 30th, 2016
    Justin Y. from Houston, TX writes:
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    I have been denied the chance to serve the country because of a mistake I made when I was 18. I would like to join to find direction in my life and stay out of trouble. I don't see why this isn't possible. I hope Trump gives this a thought because we are still Americans and what better than to join the military for discipline especially for non violent felonies but I thought think people can be chosen.
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  • Nov 29th, 2016
    Cara C. from Hackett, AR writes:
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    I agree it is a good chance for people to have a good foundation and structure in life.
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