You’ve Changed—But the Military Still Sees Your Felony. What Now?

You’ve worked hard to rebuild your life after a serious mistake. You’ve matured, taken responsibility, maybe even had your record expunged or reduced. Now you’re ready to serve your country—to earn respect, wear the uniform, and contribute to something bigger than yourself.

But your recruiter looks at your history and says, “You’ll need a waiver… but I’m not sure it’ll be approved.”

Maybe you’ve heard that a felony is the end of the road.
 Maybe you’ve already had a waiver denied.
 Maybe you’re wondering if you’ll ever get a chance.

The truth? Some felonies can be waived. But success depends entirely on the strategy, documentation, and legal argument behind your request.

At the National Security Law Firm (NSLF), we help individuals nationwide overcome felony records and get approved for military service through well-structured, persuasive Moral Conduct Waivers.

Here’s how it works—and how you can win.

Can a Felony Be Waived in the Military?

Yes—but it’s difficult and approval is never guaranteed. The military categorizes offenses into:

  • Minor misconduct
  • Misconduct
  • Major misconduct – which includes felony convictions under federal, state, or military law

Felony offenses fall into the major misconduct category under DoD Instruction 1304.26, which requires:

  • Higher-level approval (often at the two-star or three-star general level)
  • Extraordinary justification
  • Clear evidence of rehabilitation and change

So while not all felonies are automatically disqualifying, they are very serious and require expert handling. Most recruiters will tell you it’s “unlikely” or “impossible”—but that’s only true for waiver requests that are poorly prepared or incomplete.

Which Felonies Are Most Likely to Be Waived?

The military typically considers waivers on a case-by-case basis, but some felonies are more likely to be waived than others.

More Likely to Be Waived:

  • Non-violent theft or property crimes (e.g., burglary, credit card fraud)
  • DUI (charged as felony due to injury or second offense)
  • Drug possession (not distribution)
  • Juvenile felonies committed many years ago
  • Felonies that have been expunged, reduced, or set aside

Rarely or Never Waived:

  • Sexual offenses
  • Domestic violence (due to Lautenberg Amendment restrictions)
  • Crimes involving moral turpitude (e.g., fraud, perjury, child abuse)
  • Violent crimes involving weapons or serious bodily injury
  • Repeat felony offenders

That said, even a difficult case may have a chance if handled by experienced military waiver attorneys—especially if you have mitigating circumstances, strong post-offense conduct, or documentation showing rehabilitation.

What Happens If I Don’t Disclose My Felony?

Lying or omitting your felony on DD Form 1966  is considered fraudulent enlistment. If discovered later (even years into your military career), it could lead to:

  • Dishonorable discharge
  • Loss of veterans’ benefits
  • Criminal prosecution in some cases

The military will find out eventually. And if your felony is waivable, there’s no reason to lie. You’re better off disclosing it and building a strategic, truthful case for a waiver.

How We Build Winning Felony Waiver Cases

At NSLF, we take your story seriously. We don’t just file forms—we build a military-specific legal case that highlights who you are now, not just who you were at your lowest point.

Our felony waiver services include:

✅ Case analysis and document gathering
 ✅ Court and arrest records, even for expunged or juvenile offenses
 ✅ Legal memorandum putting the offense in context
 ✅ Rehabilitation evidence (education, service, employment, therapy, community involvement)
 ✅ Letters of recommendation and personal statement coaching
 ✅ Liaison with your recruiter and MEPS

Pricing: Transparent and Affordable

We charge a flat fee of $5,000 for felony waiver representation. That covers your case from start to finish—no hourly billing, no surprises.

This includes:

  • Legal strategy consultation
  • Full records retrieval and review
  • Waiver packet preparation
  • Legal arguments tailored to DoD policy
  • Coaching on personal statements and rehabilitation proof
  • Collaboration with recruiters and command staff

Need help with payment? We offer legal financing through Affirm, so you can get started now and pay over time.

👉 Explore payment options here

Why Choose NSLF for Your Felony Waiver Case?

We are the nation’s most trusted law firm for Moral Conduct Waivers, and we’ve handled some of the most complex felony waiver cases in every branch of the military.

Here’s why service members and recruiters refer their toughest cases to us:

  • ⭐ 4.9-star Google rating from hundreds of successful clients
  • Attorneys with DoD, JAG Corps, and security clearance backgrounds
  • Firm founded by disabled veterans—we understand the stakes
  • Specialized in felony, juvenile, and drug-related disqualifications
  • Clients in every state and every military branch
  • We speak the military’s language—and write waivers that win

Additional Resources

Want to learn more about navigating your waiver case? Check out our other articles:

For a full list of resources and insights, visit our Moral Conduct Waivers Practice Page.

You Made a Mistake. You Paid the Price. Now You Deserve a Second Chance.

A felony is serious—but so is your commitment to serve. If you’re willing to fight for your future, we’re ready to stand beside you.

📅 The sooner we start, the better your odds. These waivers take time, and quality matters. Don’t risk a rushed, incomplete, or amateur submission.

👉 Schedule your free consultation now

You’ll speak directly with an attorney, get a clear plan of action, and finally know what it will take to get approved.

We’ve helped others like you rebuild and enlist. Let’s make your second chance happen—starting today.