On the sf86 form, it asks if you were arrested in the past 7 years.  When I was a teenager, back in New York state, I had some bad fights w/ my parents and was arrested a few times, w/ no charges pressed ultimately; I talked to a lawyer, and he said that if I had been a youthful offender, it would show up in a background check.   I was never adjudicated as a youthful offender.  This was all over 7 years ago.  I have never been arrested since, never used drugs or had alcohol problems, or anything else other than 2 speeding tickets. 
 
I spoke to some military people on another forum, and they say that DSS can find anything, and that I should report everything.  However, truthfully, I could reply in the negative to the questions on the sf86 form (i.e. no felonies, no firearms charges, no drug charge, no arrests in the past 7 years, etc.).  Of course, I would report everything to the recruiter.   
 
My question is: when they only ask for 7 years back for merely arrests?  Will they find everything.  I could honestly say I haven't been arrested in over 7 years. 

GerryMander, 

If its beyond 7 years then, its out of scope. But if you were held and cited by the police then by all means do put it on the sf86, because a police record is never out of scope. I may be against the polygraph, but I am totally for being honest when dealing with investigations where clearances and trust are involved. An honest thorough background check is always the right answer. 

Hope this helps ....  Regards

Gerrymander,

Always answer the form 100% to what it wants for information. But again if you have a record they will find it. Its better to be up front on this then have some investigator dredge it up from your history. If its nothing more than the cops turning you over to your parents, for some youthly indiscretions. The odds are you don't have anytype of record. Best I got, and good luck. 

Regards .....

I guarantee you, I have NO intention of lying on the questions on the sf86.

These few incidents are the only blackmarks in my history.  During my youth, I was NEVER considered a disciplinary problem in school.  I got into 1 fight where I was provoked, and otherwise I stayed out of trouble.  I started feeling tired in my senior year of HS and suffered academically (I had moderate sleep apnea, not diagnosed until 4 years later--I am working out to lose weight to overcome that condition), and my parents used to get really upset; usually they are OK, but in those cases there was a lot of yelling/insults said, and I have a temper too, so some bad stuff happened.  Those problems are more or less gone now; I control my temper now, and have good relationships w/ my parents.  Anyway, I'll step off the soapbox now.

Thank you for the replies.

Gerrymander,

I  agree w/ Johnn. You're better off going out of your way to provide all the information that's asked even if it's outside the seven year scope.