ROTC/Coming Clean

MI51

5-Year Member
Joined
Jun 10, 2014
Messages
7
Hello,

Next year I will be joining an AFROTC detachment at a major university. On my application forms, I told them that I had never ever used drugs, which was the truth. However, after being declined from two selection boards, I was resigned to think that ROTC would never select me. As a result, I mistakenly tried marijuana once. It was undoubtedly the greatest mistake of my life, and I did not do it again, and have not since. Every day, I cringe at my stupidity for trying it.

Since then, I have been awarded a ROTC scholarship. I am firmly committed to a military career, but I don't want to live a life of lies, or bear the punishment of such being discovered. After discussing this issue with my parents, we decided that I will tell the head of the AFROTC Detachment (in person) at my July Orientation.

I understand that my scholarship is gone, and I really don't care if I ever see a dime of Gov't scholarship funds. All I want is to be able to stay part of the AFROTC detachment in some capacity.

Is there any chance I will be able to remain part of the AFROTC detachment?
If not, is there any chance I could join AROTC or NROTC? Or even some other form of commissioning?

Thank you for your time,
MI51
 
First, you answered correctly on your application. That is important.

Second, the Military, all branches, will often have a 1 strike forgiveness for these things when they have occurred prior to reporting to your first duty station. You may not have lost your scholarship. The military seems to be more concerned about repeat, meaning twice or more, users. That is to say, if you experiment again, you're in a whole different category than just the one time, and your chances go down to almost zero.... not just for retaining the scholarship, but for remaining in the ROTC program at all.

If AFROTC decides to separate you (which I don't think they'll do), you have very little chance of getting picked up by AROTC, NROTC, or any of the five Academies.

P.S. Don't bring your parents into the room for that conversation with the PMS about your experiment with weed. You are an adult now and need to handle this on your own. It's just me, but I would have that conversation privately with the PMS without any other staff being present. And finally, I would keep that conversation confidential. No need for other cadets or staff to know all your dirty laundry. That isn't being dishonest, it is just being discreet. If the PMS wants to inform other members of the staff, that's up to him/her.
 
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Totally agree with dunninla. Be honest, be discreet and be a grown up. Have seen/heard of this one time forgiveness in AROTC too. Good luck.
 
+1 to dunninla. The fact is that they know many cadets experiment with alcohol and drugs. The key word is experiment. From my years here, it is jmpo, but I will say AFROTC takes that word very seriously. Experiment does not mean 3 or more times, they tend to stick with the 1 strike rule, and if it comes out later that you shaded the number they seem to have no problem dis-enrolling the cadet. Not just because they did it more, but because that lie/omission is not cohesive with the honor code they expect from an officer.

I am not sure they will pull your scholarship, BUT beware you are probably going to be on their radar from minute one. Most of the time as a 100 in the fall they don't know who you are for weeks at large dets because there could be 100+ 100s incoming.

Make sure when you show up that you max your PFA. Make sure you do the proper form. Be prepared in every aspect. If PT is at 6, be there at 5:50. Shine those shoes until you can see your reflection. Do not go below a 3.0 in your academics.
~ The reality is for SFT/EA selection you have only your 100 year to make a mark because by fall of your 200 year they will start to weed out the cadets that they are not going to support for SFT.

I believe that they are going back to the old system and giving the AFOQT the 100 year, if that is true than take this summer and study for it especially if your SAT/ACTs were below the avg for scholarships. The test is more comparable to the ACT than the SAT IMPO. Again, it will allow them to feel more comfortable about supporting you and your youthful indiscretion.

I really think you will be fine.
 
Pima, Dunninla, and Ohio I appreciate your collective input. As you can imagine, this is a very stressful time!
 
If AFROTC decides to separate you (which I don't think they'll do), you have very little chance of getting picked up by AROTC, NROTC, or any of the five Academies.

Not sure I agree with this. I would be more than happy to have you come see me if Air Force turns you away.

Here is what our enrollment reg says:

b. Self-admission of drug and/or chemical substance usage, which is not medically disqualifying, may be given waiver consideration as stated below --
(1) Students who admit to limited experimental use, which occurred over six months prior to enrollment, may be enrolled without a waiver, unless medically disqualified by DODMERB. However, such students will be advised that any future use will result in disenrollment.
(2) Students who admit to limited, experimental and/or recent use (i.e., within the last six months) are ineligible without waiver.
(3) Students who admit to frequent and/or habitual use prior to entry into the program are ineligible without a waiver.
(4) After enrollment in the ROTC Program any use of illicit drugs or chemical substances requires a waiver and it is generally not supported.
 
On my application forms, I told them that I had never ever used drugs, which was the truth. ...(later) I mistakenly tried marijuana once. It was undoubtedly the greatest mistake of my life, and I did not do it again, and have not since. Every day, I cringe at my stupidity for trying it....I don't want to live a life of lies, or bear the punishment of such being discovered.


once again, I am out here on a different planet. I am sorry that I know I will take some heat for this BUT....seriously??!!!?? M151, instead of a falling on your sword and mastering a grand mea culpa, why not just chalk it up to an idiot move, never do it again and just shut up about it? (But really, that was an idiot move and dont do it again!)


Maybe I am missing part of the story...Did you lie?Cheat? rob someone? hurt someone? engage in repetitive drug/alcohol use? No?
 
I'm with ya Vista and told him as much in a PM...we've all done stupid stuff that in the grand scheme of things wasn't a big deal. His timing was just *really* bad.
 
I wouldn't necessarily agree or disagree with not disclosing in this particular case. However, I think the answer to the question of why not mention it was answered in the OP's first post:
.. I am firmly committed to a military career, but I don't want to live a life of lies, or bear the punishment of such being discovered...
If that's how the OP feels, then surely he/she will subconsciously make certain he's discovered anyway.

Personally I favor disclosing, but the decision is clearly up to OP to make.
 
I wouldn't necessarily agree or disagree with not disclosing in this particular case. However, I think the answer to the question of why not mention it was answered in the OP's first post, the decision is clearly up to OP to make.

Kinmen, I totally agree it is up to the OP poster and I sincerely see his reasoning. However, as a mom of a bunch of teenagers, (and the wife of a lawyer...sorry to say...) I cant help but council against it, and I felt compelled to provide the OP with another opinion than previously provided.

My opinion is worth twice the price paid of course!!!
 
Kinmen, I totally agree it is up to the OP poster and I sincerely see his reasoning. However, as a mom of a bunch of teenagers, (and the wife of a lawyer...sorry to say...) I cant help but council against it, and I felt compelled to provide the OP with another opinion than previously provided.

My opinion is worth twice the price paid of course!!!

Yup. And I have no problem with your opinion. It's something OP needs to consider. My opinion is worth half of yours! :smile:
 
I don't feel you need to tell them about your mistake. There's no point committing figurative seppuku and derailing a successful military career over one high school mistake. If you have truly resolved never to repeat the mistake, then no one else needs to know. Talk with a priest, reverend, pastor, rabbi, or spiritual counselor about the issue if it is still bothering you.
 
I see two major reasons for needing to tell them.

1.Expectations of me as a Cadet to be truthful
2.The Consequences if I were to not tell them, but eventually be discovered.
 
K2rider,

For some reason the forum didnt allow me to respond to your PM (perhaps because I just joined). I apologize for percieved rudeness
 
M151

You can't pm until you have 10 posts.

Back on topic. The OP has gone through the DoDMERB process and will be contracted, if I read his OP correct. His medical history has changed. Additionally, for the AF there will be an exit exam, and most likely they will get a TS clearance. This question will come up again in their future and will be x-chevked with previous answers.
 
When I have an applicant that self discloses, it is annotated on the enrollment form. Typically, it is limited use, a few months back, and It's never discussed again. If it was more recent, I mention it to the PMS, just to make sure he is tracking and we tell the Cadet going forward there is zero tolerance. Not a big deal. I think you'll be fine if you let someone know, and I think you'll be fine if you keep it to yourself. Just don't do it again.
Of course maybe the Air Force looks at it differently.
 
I am concluding that your use happened within the six month window. You are ineligible.
Only you can make the decision, but if you were in the window and feel obligated to volunteer your use, it might be better to not enroll. Taking it to the next step, you may be asked to explain your dis-enrollment in the future. Having never started would be much easier than explaining being dis-enrolled for drug use. If your use was outside the window, understand the same risk applies.
Not judging, just want to make sure your are considering all of the ramifications of your choice.
OS
 
Mine will not be within the 6 month window in fact. What do you mean by "same risk applies" ?
 
You could start in the program and apply for a waiver. The Military moves very slow. Come second semester, your waiver could be denied and you would be dis-enrolled.

My experience is all Navy, but I have seen three identical circumstances with midshipman result in commissioning, dis-enrollment with no pay back, dis-enrollment with payback.
I share as an example of anything can happen.
OS
 
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