PART 66—QUALIFICATION STANDARDS FOR ENLISTMENT, APPOINTMENT, AND INDUCTION Authority: 10 U.S.C. 504, 505, 520, 532, 12102, 12201, and 12205. Source: 80 FR 16270, Mar. 27, 2015, unless otherwise noted. § 66.1 Purpose. In accordance with the authority in DoD Directive 5124.02, “Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R))” (available at http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/512402p.pdf (a) Updates established policies and responsibilities for basic entrance qualification standards for enlistment, appointment, and induction into the Military Services and delegates the authority to specify certain standards to the Secretaries of the Military Departments. (b) Establishes the standards for age, aptitude, citizenship, dependents, education, medical, character/conduct, physical fitness, and other disqualifying conditions, which are cause for non-qualification for military service. Other standards may be prescribed in the event of national emergency. (c) Sets standards designed to ensure that individuals under consideration for enlistment, appointment, or induction are able to perform military duties successfully, and to select those who are the most trainable and adaptable to Service life. § 66.2 Applicability. This part applies to: (a) Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Military Departments (including the Coast Guard at all times, including when it is a Service in the Department of Homeland Security by agreement with that Department), the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other organizational entities within the DoD (referred to collectively in this part as the “DoD Components”). (b) Applicants for initial enlistment into the Military Services Regular and Reserve Components. (c) Applicants for appointment as commissioned or warrant officers in the Regular and Reserve Components. (d) Applicants for reenlistment following release from active duty into subsequent Regular or Reserve Components (including the Army National Guard of the United States and the Air National Guard of the United States) after a period of more than 6 months has elapsed since discharge. (e) Applicants for contracting into the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), and all other Military Services special officer personnel procurement programs, including the Military Service Academies. (f) All individuals being inducted into the Military Services. § 66.3 Definitions. Unless otherwise noted, these terms and their definitions are for the purposes of this part. Adjudicating authority. Adverse adjudication (adult or juvenile). (1) A finding, decision, sentence, or judgment by an adjudicating authority, against an individual, that was other than unconditionally dropped or dismissed or the individual was acquitted is considered adverse adjudication. If the adjudicating authority places a condition or restraint that leads to dismissal, drops the charges, acquits, or the records are later expunged, or the charge is dismissed after a certain period of time, the adjudication is still considered adverse. A suspension of sentence, not processed, or a dismissal after compliance with imposed conditions is also adverse adjudication. This includes fines and forfeiture of bond in lieu of trial. (2) A conviction for violating any federal law (including 10 U.S.C. chapter 47), or any State or municipal law or ordinance) is considered an adverse adjudication. For example, a shoplifter is reprimanded and required by the on-scene police officer, store security guard, or manager to pay for the item before leaving the store but is not charged, not found guilty, or is not convicted. In this situation, there is no adverse adjudication because no legal proceedings occurred and no adjudicating authority was involved. Conviction. Dependent. (1) A spouse of an applicant for enlistment. (2) An unmarried step-child under the age of 18 living with the applicant. (3) An unmarried biological child or unmarried adopted child of the applicant under the age of 18. (4) Any person living with the applicant who is, by law or in fact, dependent upon the applicant for support, or who is not living with the applicant and is dependent upon the applicant for over one-half of his or her support. Reserve components. Restitution. Service review. Waiver. [80 FR 16270, Mar. 27, 2015, as amended at 81 FR 64062, Sept. 19, 2016] § 66.4 Policy. It is DoD policy to: (a) Use common entrance qualification standards for enlistment, appointment, and induction into the Military Services. (b) Avoid inconsistencies and inequities based on ethnicity, gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation in the application of these standards by the Military Services. (c) Judge the suitability of individuals to serve in the Military Services on the basis of their adaptability, potential to perform, and conduct. § 66.5 Responsibilities. (a) Under the authority, direction, and control of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R)), the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (ASD(M&RA)): (1) Acts as an advisor to the USD(P&R) on the Reserve enlistment and appointment standards. (2) Acts as an advisor to the USD(P&R) on the height and weight requirements of the standards in § 66.6. (3) Ensures the U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command assists the Military Services in implementing the standards in § 66.6. (b) Under the authority, direction, and control of the USD(P&R), the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs (ASD(HA)) acts as an advisor to the USD(P&R) on the medical requirements of the standards in § 66.6. (c) The Secretaries of the Military Departments: (1) Oversee conformance with this part. (2) Recommend suggested changes to this part to the USD(P&R) as necessary. (3) Establish other Service-specific standards as necessary to implement this part. (4) Review all standards on an annual basis. (5) Establish procedures to grant waivers, accomplish reviews, and require individuals to meet the appropriate standards or be granted an exception pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 504(a). (6) Request approval from the USD(P&R) for generalized exceptions to these standards as permitted by law. (7) Use the standards in § 66.6 to determine the entrance qualifications for all individuals being enlisted, appointed, or inducted into any component of the Military Services. [80 FR 16270, Mar. 27, 2015, as amended at 81 FR 64063, Sept. 19, 2016] § 66.6 Enlistment, appointment, and induction criteria. (a) General eligibility criteria Entrance considerations. (2) Eligibility determination. (b) Basic eligibility criteria Age. (ii) Age limitations for appointment as a commissioned or warrant officer normally depend on the Military Service concerned. In accordance with 10 U.S.C. 532, most persons appointed as commissioned officers must be able to complete 20 years of active commissioned service before their 62nd birthday to receive a Regular commission. (iii) In accordance with 10 U.S.C. 12201, a person will be at least 18 years of age for appointment as a Reserve Officer. The maximum age qualification for initial appointment as a Reserve Officer will not be less than 47 years of age for individuals in a health profession specialty designated by the Secretary concerned as a specialty critically needed in wartime. (iv) In accordance with 32 U.S.C. 313, to be eligible for original enlistment in the National Guard, a person must be at least 17 years of age and under 45, or under 64 years of age and a former member of the Regular Army, Regular Navy, Regular Air Force, or Regular Marine Corps. To be eligible for reenlistment, a person must be under 64 years of age. (v) In accordance with 32 U.S.C. 313, to be eligible for appointment as an officer of the National Guard, a person must be at least 18 years of age and under 64 years of age. (2) Citizenship. (ii) To be eligible for appointment as a commissioned officer (other than as a commissioned warrant officer) in the Regular Army, Regular Navy, Regular Air Force, or Regular Marine Corps, the individual must be a citizen of the United States as outlined in 10 U.S.C. 532. The Secretary of Defense (or the Secretary of Homeland Security for the Coast Guard, when not operating as a Service under the Navy), may waive the requirement of U.S. citizenship with respect to a person who has been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence, or for a United States national otherwise eligible for appointment as a cadet or midshipman in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2107(a), when the Secretary determines that the national security so requires, but only for an original appointment in a grade below the grade of major or lieutenant commander. (iii) To be eligible for appointment as a Reserve Officer in an armed force, the individual must be a citizen of the United States or lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence in accordance with 8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq. (iv) To be eligible for enlistment in the National Guard, a person must meet one of the conditions in 10 U.S.C. 504(b); however, the Secretary concerned may authorize the enlistment of a person not described in this section if the Secretary determines that such enlistment is vital to the national interest. (v) To become an officer of the Army National Guard of the United States or the Air National Guard of the United States, the individual must first be appointed to, and be federally recognized in, the same grade in the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard. In accordance with 10 U.S.C. 12201, the individual must be a citizen of the United States or lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence in accordance with 8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq. (3) Education. (ii) Bearers of an alternative credential ( e.g., http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/114501p.pdf (iii) Educational requirements for appointment as a commissioned or warrant officer are determined by each Military Service. 10 U.S.C. 12205 establishes education requirements for certain Reserve appointments. Generally, and unless excepted under 10 U.S.C. 12205, a baccalaureate degree is required for appointment above the grade of first lieutenant in the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps Reserves or lieutenant junior grade in the Navy Reserve, or to be federally recognized in a grade above the grade of first lieutenant as a member of the Army National Guard or Air National Guard. In addition, special occupations ( e.g., (4) Aptitude. i.e., (ii) For officers and warrant officers, no single test or instrument is used as an aptitude requirement for appointment. (5) Medical. http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/613003p.pdf (ii) Individuals who fail to meet established medical standards, as defined in DoD Instruction 6130.03, may be considered for a medical waiver. Each Service's waiver authority for medical conditions will make a determination based on all available information regarding the issue or condition. Waiver requirements are outlined in § 66.7. (6) Physical fitness. http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/130803p.pdf (ii) The Military Services may have additional physical fitness screening requirements. (7) Dependency status. (ii) The Military Services will specify the circumstances under which individuals who have dependents may become commissioned officers or warrant officers; variations in policy may be affected by the commissioning source ( e.g., (8) Character/conduct. (i) Is under any form of judicial restraint (bond, probation, imprisonment, or parole). (ii) Has a significant criminal record. 10 U.S.C. 504 prohibits any person who has been convicted of a felony from being enlisted in any of the Military Services; however, 10 U.S.C. 504 authorizes a waiver in meritorious cases. Except as limited by paragraph (b)(8)(iii) of this section, persons convicted of felonies may request a waiver to permit their enlistment. The waiver procedure is not automatic, and approval is based on each individual case. Waiver requirements are outlined in § 66.7 of this part. (iii) Has a State or federal conviction, or a finding of guilty in a juvenile adjudication, for a felony crime of rape, sexual abuse, sexual assault, incest, any other sexual offense, or when the disposition requires the person to register as a sex offender. In these cases, the enlistment, appointment, or induction will be prohibited and no waivers are allowed. (iv) Has been previously separated from the Military Services under conditions other than honorable or for the good of the Military Service concerned. (v) Has exhibited antisocial behavior or other traits of character that may render the applicant unfit for service. (vi) Receives an unfavorable final determination by the DoD Consolidated Adjudication Facility on a completed National Agency Check with Law and Credit (NACLC) or higher-level investigation, which is adjudicated to the National Security Standards in accordance with Executive Order 12968, during the accession process. (A) An applicant may be accessed (including shipping him or her to training or a first duty assignment) provided that a NACLC or higher-level investigation was submitted and accepted by the investigative service provider (Office of Personnel Management (OPM)) and an advanced fingerprint was conducted, and OPM did not identify any disqualifying background information. (B) If NACLC adjudication is not completed until after accession, any additional disqualifying information identified during the adjudication should be transmitted to the appropriate personnel or human resource offices, as determined by the Services, for appropriate action. (9) Drugs and alcohol. http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/101001p.pdf (i) Drug use (to include illegal drugs, other illicit substances, and pharmaceutical medications), drug abuse, and alcohol abuse may be self-admitted by an applicant, discovered during the medical screening process, or identified by the drug and alcohol test (DAT), which is administered at the Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) or other approved military processing facility. (ii) Current or history of alcohol dependence, drug dependence, alcohol abuse, or other drug abuse may be a medically disqualifying condition based on the standards in accordance with DoD Instruction 6130.03. The MEPS Chief Medical Officer or equivalent, when the physical is not performed at MEPS, will make that determination based on all of the information available on a case-by-case basis. These instances will be treated as a medical disqualification and handled in accordance with the guidance provided in paragraphs (b)(5)(i) through (b)(5)(ii) of this section. (iii) Individuals who test positive for illegal drugs on the DAT, which is administered as part of the accession physical, will be disqualified. A waiver may be requested. Waiver requirements are outlined in § 66.7. (iv) Service qualification standards, regarding drugs and alcohol, may be more restrictive. [80 FR 16270, Mar. 27, 2015, as amended at 81 FR 64063, Sept. 19, 2016] § 66.7 Enlistment waivers. (a) Waiver requirements. (1) Medical waiver. (2) Dependent waiver. (3) Conduct waiver. (i) A Conduct Waiver is required when the final finding of the courts or other adjudicating authority is a conviction or other adverse adjudication of: (A) One “major misconduct” offense, or; (B) Two “misconduct” offenses, or; (C) A pattern of misconduct. ( 1 ( 2 (ii) Use the Table of this section to determine the appropriate level of offense and applicable code. See paragraph (b) of this section for additional guidance. (4) Drug waiver. i.e., http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/101016p.pdf (b) Classifying conduct offenses. (1) Initial classification. (2) Non-similar offenses. (i) Treat the offense as a major misconduct offense if the adjudicating authority can impose a maximum period of confinement that exceeds 1 year. (ii) Treat the offense as a misconduct offense if the adjudicating authority can impose a maximum period of confinement that exceeds 6 months but is not more than 1 year. (iii) Treat all other offenses as either other non-traffic offenses or traffic offenses, depending on the nature of the offense. Table to § 66.7—Conduct Waiver Codes Offense code Offense title TRAFFIC OFFENSES 100 Bicycle ordinance violation. 101 Blocking or retarding traffic. 102 Contempt of court for minor traffic offenses. 103 Crossing yellow line; driving left of center. 104 Disobeying traffic lights, signs, or signals. 105 Driving on shoulder. 106 Driving uninsured vehicle. 107 Driving with blocked vision and/or tinted window. 108 Driving with expired plates or without plates. 109 Driving with suspended or revoked license. 110 Driving without license. 111 Driving without registration or with improper registration. 112 Driving wrong way on one-way street. 113 Failure to appear for traffic violations. 114 Failure to comply with officer's directive. 115 Failure to have vehicle under control. 116 Failure to signal. 117 Failure to stop or yield to pedestrian. 118 Failure to submit report after accident. 119 Failure to yield right-of-way. 120 Faulty equipment such as defective exhaust, horn, lights, mirror, muffler, signal device, steering device, tail pipe, or windshield wipers. 121 Following too closely. 122 Hitchhiking. 123 Improper backing such as backing into intersection or highway, backing on expressway, or backing over crosswalk. 124 Improper blowing of horn. 125 Improper passing such as passing on right, passing in no-passing zone, passing stopped school bus, or passing pedestrian in crosswalk. 126 Improper turn. 127 Invalid or unofficial inspection sticker or failure to display inspection sticker. 128 Jaywalking. 129 Leaving key in ignition. 130 Leaving scene of accident (when not considered hit and run). 131 License plates improperly displayed or not displayed. 132 Operating overloaded vehicle. 133 Racing, dragging, or contest for speed. 134 Reckless, careless, or imprudent driving (considered a traffic offense when the fine is less than $300 and there is no confinement). Court costs are not part of a fine. 135 Reserved for future use. 136 Seat belt and/or child restraint violation. 137 Skateboard, roller skate, or inline skate violation. 138 Speeding. 139 Spilling load on highway. 140 Spinning wheels, improper start, zigzagging, or weaving in traffic. 141 Violation of noise control ordinance. 142 Other traffic offenses not specifically listed. 143 Reserved for future use. 144 Reserved for future use. NON-TRAFFIC OFFENSES 200 Altered driver's license or identification. 201 Assault (simple assault with fine or restitution of $500 or less and no confinement). 202 Carrying concealed weapon (other than firearm); possession of brass knuckles. 203 Check, worthless, making or uttering, with intent to defraud or deceive (less than $500). 204 Committing a nuisance. 205 Conspiring to commit misdemeanor. 206 Curfew violation. 207 Damaging road signs. 208 Discharging firearm through carelessness or within municipal limits. 209 Disobeying summons; failure to appear (other than traffic). 210 Disorderly conduct; creating disturbance; boisterous conduct. 211 Disturbing the peace. 212 Drinking alcoholic beverages on public transportation. 213 Drunk in public. 214 Dumping refuse near highway. 215 Failure to appear, contempt of court (all offenses except felony proceedings). 216 Failure to appear, contempt of court (felony proceedings). 217 Failure to stop and render aid after accident. 218 Fare and/or toll evasion. 219 Harassment, menacing, or stalking. 220 Illegal betting or gambling; operating illegal handbook, raffle, lottery, or punchboard; cockfighting. 221 Indecent exposure. 222 Indecent, insulting, or obscene language communicated directly or by telephone to another person. 223 Jumping turnstile (to include those States that adjudicate jumping a turnstile as petty larceny). 224 Juvenile adjudications such as beyond parental control, incorrigible, runaway, truant, or wayward. 225 Killing a domestic animal. 226 Littering. 227 Loitering. 228 Malicious mischief (fine or restitution of $500 or less and no confinement). 229 Pandering. 230 Poaching. 231 Purchase, possession, or consumption of alcoholic beverages or tobacco products by minor. 232 Removing property from public grounds. 233 Removing property under lien. 234 Robbing an orchard. 235 Shooting from highway. 236 Throwing glass or other material in roadway. 237 Trespass (non-criminal or simple). 238 Unlawful assembly. 239 Unlawful manufacture, sale, possession, or consumption of liquor in public place. 240 Unlawful use of long-distance telephone calling card. 241 Using or wearing unlawful emblem and/or identification. 242 Vagrancy. 243 Vandalism (fine or restitution of $500 or less and no confinement). 244 Violation of fireworks laws. 245 Violation of fish and game laws. 246 Violation of leash laws. 247 Violation of probation. 248 Other non-traffic offenses not specifically listed. 249 Reserved for future use. MISCONDUCT OFFENSES 300 Aggravated assault, fighting, or battery (more than $500 fine or restitution or confinement). 301 Carrying of weapon on school grounds (other than firearm). 302 Concealment of or failure to report a felony. 303 Contributing to delinquency of minor. 304 Crimes against the family (non-payment of court-ordered child support and/or alimony). 305 Criminal mischief (more than $500 fine or restitution or confinement). 306 Criminal trespass. 307 Desecration of grave. 308 Domestic battery and/or violence not considered covered by 18 U.S.C. 922, referred to in this issuance as the “Lautenberg Amendment”). 309 Driving while drugged or intoxicated; driving while ability impaired; permitting driving under the influence. 310 Illegal or fraudulent use of a credit card or bank card (value less than $500). 311 Larceny or conversion (value less than $500). 312 Leaving scene of an accident or hit and run. 313 Looting. 314 Mailbox destruction. 315 Mailing of obscene or indecent matter (including e-mail). 316 Possession of marijuana or drug paraphernalia. 317 Prostitution or solicitation for prostitution. 318 Reckless, careless, or imprudent driving (considered a misdemeanor when the fine is $300 or more or when confinement is imposed; otherwise, considered a minor traffic offense). 319 Reckless endangerment. 320 Resisting arrest or eluding police. 321 Selling or leasing weapons. 322 Stolen property, knowingly receiving (value less than $500). 323 Throwing rocks on a highway; throwing missiles at sporting events; throwing objects at vehicles. 324 Unauthorized use or taking of a vehicle or conveyance from family member; joy riding. 325 Unlawful carrying of firearms or carrying concealed firearm. 326 Unlawful entry. 327 Use of telephone, Internet, or other electronic means to abuse, annoy, harass, threaten, or torment another. 328 Vandalism (more than $500 fine or restitution or confinement). 329 Willfully discharging firearm so as to endanger life; shooting in public. 330 Other misconduct offenses not specifically listed. 331 Reserved for future use. 332 Reserved for future use. MAJOR MISCONDUCT OFFENSES 400 Aggravated assault; assault with dangerous weapon; maiming. 401 Arson. 402 Attempt to commit a felony. 403 Breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony. 404 Bribery. 405 Burglary. 406 Carjacking. 407 Carnal knowledge of a child. 408 Carrying of weapon on school grounds (firearm). 409 Check, worthless, making or uttering, with intent to defraud or deceive (over $500). 410 Child abuse. 411 Child pornography. 412 Conspiring to commit a felony. 413 Criminal libel. 414 Domestic battery and/or violence as defined in the Lautenberg Amendment. (Waiver not authorized if applicant was convicted of this offense.) 415 Embezzlement. 416 Extortion. 417 Forgery, knowingly uttering or passing forged instrument (except for altered identification cards). 418 Grand larceny or larceny (value of $500 or more). 419 Grand theft auto. 420 Hate crimes. 421 Illegal and/or fraudulent use of a credit card, bank card, or automated card (value of $500 or more). 422 Indecent acts or liberties with a child; molestation. 423 Indecent assault. 424 Kidnapping or abduction. 425 Mail matter; abstracting, destroying, obstructing, opening, secreting, stealing, or taking (not including the destruction of mailboxes). 426 Manslaughter. 427 Murder. 428 Narcotics or habit-forming drugs, wrongful possession or use (not including marijuana). 429 Negligent or vehicular homicide. 430 Perjury or subornation of perjury. 431 Possession or intent to use materials in a manner to make a bomb or explosive device to cause bodily harm or destruction of property. 432 Public record; altering, concealing, destroying, mutilating, obligation, or removing. 433 Rape, sexual abuse, sexual assault, criminal sexual abuse, incest, or other sex crimes. (See paragraph (b)(8)(iii) of § 66.6 of this part; waivers for these offenses are not authorized.) 434 Riot. 435 Robbery (including armed). 436 Sale, distribution, or trafficking of cannabis (marijuana) or any other controlled substance (including intent). 437 Sodomy (only when it is nonconsensual or involves a minor). 438 Stolen property, knowingly received (value of $500 or more). 439 Terrorist threats (including bomb threats). 440 Violation of civil rights. 441 Other major misconduct offenses not specifically listed. 442 Reserved for future use. 443 Reserved for future use. [80 FR 16270, Mar. 27, 2015, as amended at 81 FR 64063, Sept. 19, 2016]