Dean Miller says his father joined the Army as a teen after he was caught stealing from a club. The judge then gave him a choice between jail and the Army.
https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/roger-miller-given-stark-choice-after-getting-caught-stealing-you-can-go-jail-you-can-go-army
https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/roger-miller-given-stark-choice-after-getting-caught-stealing-you-can-go-jail-you-can-go-army