1. I want to be sure I understand what you mean by "non-universe characters" - ones who are not native to the Pacific Rim setting, like Raleigh or Yancy Becket? Yes, they can! However, due to structural differences in coursework and the goal of the Valparaíso Shatterdome program, they'd enter the JA program from the bottom and work up again. (Which is looking at a minimum 24 week program, though the make it or break it point happens after three months. Surviving three months means access to all the really cool simulators and being on list to theoretically pilot any new or available Jaeger.)
This is meant to keep everyone in the JA program at the same level. It can, and should, be frustrating for some characters ICly.
2. Discipline will depend on which rules are broken, but it can range from simple things (being disallowed access to the Cantina for a while, being disallowed desserts) to more serious ones (having leave time taken away, loss of free time, increased workload) to being expelled out of the program for serious infractions. They're very harsh during the first three months of the program, and are less stringent after that period.
The harshness in the beginning comes out of needing to set a baseline that's being respected, and it is not excepted OOCly that characters follow all the rules provided. Flaunting rule breaking ICly will have consequences, but rule breaking is expected and embraced OOCly.
3. Yes! Depending on what their record is, they will have more attention paid to what they do, and how they're interacting with others or behaving in general. Since it's going to be case by case, I'd suggest asking any specific questions about your own character's criminal history as you'd like to adapt it to a world more like the modern day to get a feel for what will and won't work as well in the game setting.
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This is meant to keep everyone in the JA program at the same level. It can, and should, be frustrating for some characters ICly.
2. Discipline will depend on which rules are broken, but it can range from simple things (being disallowed access to the Cantina for a while, being disallowed desserts) to more serious ones (having leave time taken away, loss of free time, increased workload) to being expelled out of the program for serious infractions. They're very harsh during the first three months of the program, and are less stringent after that period.
The harshness in the beginning comes out of needing to set a baseline that's being respected, and it is not excepted OOCly that characters follow all the rules provided. Flaunting rule breaking ICly will have consequences, but rule breaking is expected and embraced OOCly.
3. Yes! Depending on what their record is, they will have more attention paid to what they do, and how they're interacting with others or behaving in general. Since it's going to be case by case, I'd suggest asking any specific questions about your own character's criminal history as you'd like to adapt it to a world more like the modern day to get a feel for what will and won't work as well in the game setting.