alcohol and speeding
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Memphis9489
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It will definitely be a hindrance. My only advice is to embrace it and not hide from what happened. Embrace it and use it to demonstrate how you learned a tough lesson in life and how you intend to overcome it.
In other words, try to take your "lemon" and make "lemonade" out of it.
You have a built-in hard luck story - although, sadly, self-induced.
usna1985
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The alcohol could be a problem. How much of one depends on the circumstances (when it happened, how much, what consequences, etc.). No need to discuss that here -- it's none of our business.
USNA now uses a Character Board for situations like this. You'll likely be asked for details about the incident at some point. Be honest. Don't embellish.
And, whatever you do, stay away from the alcohol this next year and until you're 21. Seriously.
USNA now uses a Character Board for situations like this. You'll likely be asked for details about the incident at some point. Be honest. Don't embellish.
And, whatever you do, stay away from the alcohol this next year and until you're 21. Seriously.
I've definitely stopped doing any drinking and I've turned things around after I got caught. I even brought my grades up and I'm planning to do a lot of community service. Possibly doing service against alcohol abuse would look good? I'm hoping they will understand
usna1985
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Those are all good facts. Honestly, no one here can tell you for certain either way b/c we don't have all of the facts (nor should you share them here) and we aren't making the decision.
As for doing service vs. alcohol abuse -- as with any ECA, do it b/c you are truly motivated to do it, not b/c it will look good.
Definitely keep up what you're doing. A second "offense" would be very bad.
usna1985
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One thing I should clarify . . . My prior response assumed that you didn't have a DUI/DWI -- that the possession and speeding were separate/unrelated incidents.
A DUI/DWI when you're underage (which probably 99% of those applying to USNA are) will be viewed extremely unfavorably and, depending on the circumstances, could well preclude you from obtaining an appointment.
ANY offense involving a vehicle and alcohol is going to be an issue. Speeding tickets alone aren't typically an issue unless repeated or reckless. Possession of alcohol alone could be a big issue, depending on the facts.
A DUI/DWI when you're underage (which probably 99% of those applying to USNA are) will be viewed extremely unfavorably and, depending on the circumstances, could well preclude you from obtaining an appointment.
ANY offense involving a vehicle and alcohol is going to be an issue. Speeding tickets alone aren't typically an issue unless repeated or reckless. Possession of alcohol alone could be a big issue, depending on the facts.
no OUI
1 speeding ticket, paid fine.
During a camping trip last year, one occasion of underage drinking and a second occasion of underage drinking last year to celebrate the end of the school year. Both regrettable. No other offenses.
I hope these early mistakes in judgement will not affect chances at admission.
1 speeding ticket, paid fine.
During a camping trip last year, one occasion of underage drinking and a second occasion of underage drinking last year to celebrate the end of the school year. Both regrettable. No other offenses.
I hope these early mistakes in judgement will not affect chances at admission.
usna1985
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I hope not either.
The lesson to those out there reading this is to stay away from alcohol and especially drugs, no matter how tempting.
As an officer (and even for enlisted personnel), such mistakes in judgment will generally be the end of one's military career.
Pima
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I have to concur with USNA1985 it is usually the end of a military career to get an alcohol related driving offense.
I don't have enough fingers and toes to count over the 20 yrs Bullet served the amount of members that were done because of an alcohol incident.
Stay away from the stuff until you are 21. After 21 be smart and have a designated driver. The risk is too high.
A few yrs ago at our base 2 officers on casual status awaiting UPT got ticketed with a DUI, they were AFA grads, and lost that UPT spot, plus passed over for 1st lt. Career was over as a 2nd lt with less than 2 yrs in.
It is taken very seriously in the AD world.
I am not going to play naive that kids don't drink underage, they do. The issue for the military is being a leader and not a follower.
I too hope for the best for you that you can get an appointment.
I don't have enough fingers and toes to count over the 20 yrs Bullet served the amount of members that were done because of an alcohol incident.
Stay away from the stuff until you are 21. After 21 be smart and have a designated driver. The risk is too high.
A few yrs ago at our base 2 officers on casual status awaiting UPT got ticketed with a DUI, they were AFA grads, and lost that UPT spot, plus passed over for 1st lt. Career was over as a 2nd lt with less than 2 yrs in.
It is taken very seriously in the AD world.
I am not going to play naive that kids don't drink underage, they do. The issue for the military is being a leader and not a follower.
I too hope for the best for you that you can get an appointment.
usna1985
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Not to beat the moribund horse, but one of the reasons USNA focuses on alcohol and drug issues in h.s. is that there is virtually no alcohol and no drugs tolerance now at USNA.
In my day (when the drinking age was 18), you could get as drunk as you liked provided you: (1) didn't drive, and (2) didn't make a public nuisance of yourself. So many a drunk mid was helped back into Bancroft and put on the "vomit watch" (making sure he didn't drown in his own).
That is NOT the case today. Just drinking under age (even if not driving) while at USNA is very serious business.
As for drugs, consider that 9+ mids have been dismissed for "spice" which, although not permitted by the USN, is legal in some states. The point is that it's a new world and USNA is loathe to admit someone whom they think can't handle him/herself under these restrictions. Constant screw-ups in h.s. regarding alcohol can suggest that handling such restrictions at USNA will be a problem.
In my day (when the drinking age was 18), you could get as drunk as you liked provided you: (1) didn't drive, and (2) didn't make a public nuisance of yourself. So many a drunk mid was helped back into Bancroft and put on the "vomit watch" (making sure he didn't drown in his own).
That is NOT the case today. Just drinking under age (even if not driving) while at USNA is very serious business.
As for drugs, consider that 9+ mids have been dismissed for "spice" which, although not permitted by the USN, is legal in some states. The point is that it's a new world and USNA is loathe to admit someone whom they think can't handle him/herself under these restrictions. Constant screw-ups in h.s. regarding alcohol can suggest that handling such restrictions at USNA will be a problem.
no driving under the influence
Just to be clear, there was no driving under the influence. Just a single speeding ticket.
Sophomore year, 2 instances of underage drinking. Nothing else. I have learned my lesson and I never consume alcohol and keep to the speed limit now. Looking forward to Boys State in June!
Just to be clear, there was no driving under the influence. Just a single speeding ticket.
Sophomore year, 2 instances of underage drinking. Nothing else. I have learned my lesson and I never consume alcohol and keep to the speed limit now. Looking forward to Boys State in June!
Pima
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Pure curiosity and you can tell me to go pound salt, but how did you get 2 alcohol offenses?
We lived in various states where we camped (AK, NC, KS, VA) and camping is not on the beaten path for the police, heck park rangers are few and far between.
Additionally, end of school yr celebration. Trust me, I get hs graduation parties have alcohol, but if cops were called where were the parents?
I am like USNA1985, not here to say throw in the towel and call it a day. You can overcome this, but you really need to be able to explain how you landed up in this scenario not once, but twice in your hs career.
If you sit here and say well, um, ah, it will not play out as well as 1st scenario my bad, second one was purely being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I have contacted the police and asked them to state I was not drunk or had imbibed.
I have to be honest. As a Mom, I pounded into all of my kids heads that I am not naive. I know alcohol may be present at graduation parties, I don't want you to imbibe, BUT if you do CALL ME. I don't care what time it is. I will not judge and rack it up to youthful indiscretion.
Nobody here is passing judgment re:imbibing. We are just stating the intensity it will impact any candidate/cadet.
Let's hope for the best and you get an appointment.
I have to say you need to keep these records because prior to commissioning you will go through a very intense security clearance, it is @55 pages long. It will cover the course of your life, including friends and family, where you have lived, etc. This issue will come up again.
There will be a security agent to run a background check and conduct an interview with you. It will not be the last. As long as you are in the military with a security clearance every 5 yrs you will go through the process again.
If you want to serve you will serve. OBTW thank you for wanting to serve.
We lived in various states where we camped (AK, NC, KS, VA) and camping is not on the beaten path for the police, heck park rangers are few and far between.
Additionally, end of school yr celebration. Trust me, I get hs graduation parties have alcohol, but if cops were called where were the parents?
I am like USNA1985, not here to say throw in the towel and call it a day. You can overcome this, but you really need to be able to explain how you landed up in this scenario not once, but twice in your hs career.
If you sit here and say well, um, ah, it will not play out as well as 1st scenario my bad, second one was purely being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I have contacted the police and asked them to state I was not drunk or had imbibed.
I have to be honest. As a Mom, I pounded into all of my kids heads that I am not naive. I know alcohol may be present at graduation parties, I don't want you to imbibe, BUT if you do CALL ME. I don't care what time it is. I will not judge and rack it up to youthful indiscretion.
Nobody here is passing judgment re:imbibing. We are just stating the intensity it will impact any candidate/cadet.
Let's hope for the best and you get an appointment.
I have to say you need to keep these records because prior to commissioning you will go through a very intense security clearance, it is @55 pages long. It will cover the course of your life, including friends and family, where you have lived, etc. This issue will come up again.
There will be a security agent to run a background check and conduct an interview with you. It will not be the last. As long as you are in the military with a security clearance every 5 yrs you will go through the process again.
If you want to serve you will serve. OBTW thank you for wanting to serve.
Thanks for your post. The first one I was walking back to camp on the camp road and there was a routine patrol that stopped me and my 2 friends just because it was midnight.
The second time one of the parents of another boy in a custody dispute called the police. Since I seem to have a "bulls eye on" me, perhaps its a good thing as there will be no repetition in this behavior like there seems to be a lot of at the Academy. I will not be one of them.
The second time one of the parents of another boy in a custody dispute called the police. Since I seem to have a "bulls eye on" me, perhaps its a good thing as there will be no repetition in this behavior like there seems to be a lot of at the Academy. I will not be one of them.