Waivable and Nonwaivable Enlistment Criteria - Section I - Waivable and Nonwaivable Disqualifications

Sep 17, 2026

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Guidance explains how waivable and nonwaivable enlistment criteria are applied to determine eligibility for enlistment. It outlines procedures commanders, recruiters, and guidance counselors follow to assess waiver requests, including questioning, investigating, counseling, and collecting required documents. It specifies how applicants who do not meet enlistment standards require an authorized waiver, describes the “whole person” concept, and sets screening and eligibility procedures for tattoos associated with extremist organizations, gangs, or criminal activity. Suitability review requirements are detailed for criminal or questionable conduct.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages19

Reading Time48 min

AccessFree to download

Waivable and Nonwaivable Enlistment Criteria

General

Conduct and administrative disqualifications

k. Soldiers will not be paid a bonus for Service beyond 16 years AFS. l. Soldiers will be paid the BSSRB no earlier than 60 days after reentry or 30 days after arriving at the first permanent duty station, whichever is later. AD already served in the qualifying Service commitment will be included in the initial BSSRB payment. The award will not be reduced because of requirement to delay payment. m. A Soldier who enlists through the delayed MSO program is entitled to the BSSRB in effect on the date of delayed status reservation date. A Soldier who enlists directly on AD is entitled to the BSSRB in effect on the date of entry on AD. Soldiers in the BSSRB Program will reenter on AD in grades as reflected in the most current BSSRB message. 3–34. Bonus computation and payment a. Total amount of the bonus will be computed as follows: Monthly basic pay at time of separation, multiplied by number of years or fractions of a year (months) of additional obligated Service, multiplied by BSSRB multiplier, equals total BSSRB ((base pay) x (TOS) x (BSSRB multiplier) = BSSRB) . b. A guidance counselor must indicate the following information on DD Form 1966 in the remarks section: (1) BSSRB level authorized. (2) Authority: AR 601–210/DA message number. (3) Confirmation from USAREC Plans and Policies (indicate name/date and level authorized) . (4) Pay grade authorized. c. Guidance counselors will ensure that they have a current BSSRB message on file. HQ, USAREC will ensure that all BSSRB messages are provided to the field force as they become available. d. All BSSRB enlistments must be confirmed with Recruiting Brigade Operations and will have the information under paragraph 3–34b entered on the enlistment orders under special instructions. In addition, the guidance counselor will complete DA Form 4789 (Statement of Entitlement to Selective Reenlistment Bonus) . The guidance counselor will modify the form by adding the words “broken Service” immediately before all entries that read “selective reenlistment bonus.” Chapter 4 Waivable and Nonwaivable Enlistment Criteria Section I Waivable and Nonwaivable Disqualifications 4–1. General This section contains waiver and nonwaivable enlistment criteria and prescribes procedures to initiate and process a request for waiver to meet basic enlistment qualifications. 4–2. Conduct and administrative disqualifications a. Commanders at all levels determine if waiver requests warrant favorable consideration through—(1) Questioning. (2) Investigating. (3) Counseling. (4) Gathering proper documents and waiver request information. b. Recruiters must forward all waiver requests to the approval authority. c. Applicants who do not meet established enlistment standards are not eligible for enlistment unless a waiver is authorized. Commanders cited in this regulation have the authority to approve waivers, as appropriate. The burden is on the applicant to prove to waiver authorities that they have overcome their disqualifications for enlistment and that their acceptance would be in the best interests of the Army. Waiver authorities will apply the “whole person” concept when considering waiver applications. d. Applicants having tattoos will be screened in accordance with AR 670–1. When it is reported (either by visual sighting or annotated on the DD 2807–1/2808) through a tattoo, behavior, verbal or written communication, appearance, or gestures that an individual is or may be involved with an extremist organization, group, or gang, the following procedures will be used to determine eligibility: (1) The commander must ensure from a series of direct and indirect questions that the applicant is in fact given fair assessment and determination without personal bias or predetermined outcome. (2) A person who admits to or is determined to have been associated with or in a gang linked to criminal activity or an extremist group or organization will be questioned concerning t

FAQs

What process is used to initiate and evaluate a waiver request for enlistment qualifications?

Commanders determine whether waiver requests warrant favorable consideration through questioning, investigating, counseling, and gathering proper documents and waiver-request information. Recruiters forward all waiver requests to the approval authority.

Can applicants who do not meet established enlistment standards be eligible to enlist?

Applicants are not eligible unless a waiver is authorized. The applicant has the burden to prove they overcame disqualifications and that acceptance would be in the best interests of the Army.

How are tattoos and potential extremist or gang involvement handled during screening?

Applicants having tattoos are screened under AR 670-1. If tattoo information indicates possible extremist organization, group, or gang involvement, procedures are used to determine eligibility, including direct and indirect questioning and applying the whole person concept; members of extremist organizations and gang members tied to criminal activity are denied enlistment.

Sep 17, 2026

Uploaded by Sage