I'm sure someone with far more knowledge can explain this better than me. This is just how I understand it at this moment.
Recruiters, themselves, don't do a criminal background screening on each recruit. They will contact the local LE and have them search.
If this man had a juvenile record and it was sealed. It more than likely showed up. But, given that it was sealed the screening would only show that he had an arrest and/or conviction as a juvenile. Not what the arrest or the conviction was for because of the fact that it was sealed.
It is up to the recruit to tell the truth. If they lie it's called giving a false statement and it is a felony.
That's the least of this guy's worries.
Yes Steadfast, the bar lowers and raises according to the recruitment levels required.
The recruit can get a waiver (not always as easy as it sounds) to join if there is a criminal record. It all depends on what the levels of recruitment are at that time.
At this point in time levels are down, they are now tightening the requirements again.
Back in the cold war era there were periods where one did not even have to have a High School diploma to join. Unless they've changed it again since last Oct, they do now and have for a long time.
I hope that explains why this man was in the Military, somewhat.
I do understand that his victims are children. I don't want to sleuth his wife. Lord have mercy that woman must be shattered.
I do think it's important for LE to state where he lived. Also, which unit he was assigned to within Fort Hood. He may have had contact with children of neighbors or co-workers. JMHO. That way the parents can check if they need to for their children.
The way I'm looking at this is he's a sex offender. His job isn't a factor to me at this time except for where he was located while he was offending. KWIM?
Also, we do have a lot of recruits that come into the military with Personality disorders. They usually don't last long, and are usually responsible for the larger part of the crime we have on instillations and also they go out into the communities bordering our instillations and commit crimes there.
I hope they are able to find his victims and make sure they have counseling. Bless their hearts