7 mids expelled from USNA over Spice

greeneagle5

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From : The Military Times online

By Sam Fellman - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Jan 24, 2011 12:08:25 EST

Seven midshipmen were expelled Thursday from the Naval Academy for “use or possession of spice,” a marijuana-like designer drug banned by the Navy, the school’s spokesman confirmed Monday.

Cmdr. Joe Carpenter said the former midshipmen were male sophomores and juniors. Citing privacy laws, Carpenter declined to provide names or further details.

The investigation began in September after a midshipman reported spice usage to officials, Carpenter said.


“An investigation remains ongoing,” he said. “And any additional allegations will be fully investigated, and where they’re substantiated, we’ll hold the violators accountable.”

The expulsions are the most recent in a series of spice incidents throughout the Navy. Investigators broke up spice rings aboard the aircraft carrier George Washington and at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., in 2009.
 
As long as the reports are true and each person did/possessed the "drug" then I'm happy to see the Academy enforcing the Navy's Zero Tolerance stance on this.

There are way too many issues (mainly talking medical here) with this "drug" and was very happy to see when the Navy came out with their policy.
 
Idiots. To blow everything that they have worked so hard for is stupid. Especially for a high, which they know is illegal.
 
Wait, so the 3/c get the boot and the 2/c write Uncle Sam a check?
 
Yes. The day you walk into the classroom on year 3, you are committed and will owe the government for that education. Any day before and there is no financial penalty. All the Academies are that way, regardless of disenrollment reason.
 
Yes. The day you walk into the classroom on year 3, you are committed and will owe the government for that education. Any day before and there is no financial penalty. All the Academies are that way, regardless of disenrollment reason.
However, one only owes for the 3rd and 4th year portion of that education. By simply walking into the classroom at the commencement of the third year, the penalty would be minimal.
 
However, one only owes for the 3rd and 4th year portion of that education. By simply walking into the classroom at the commencement of the third year, the penalty would be minimal.

Off topic for a second. What amount to you is minimal...for an SA degree it is valued near 400K, @ 100K per yr...that is not minimal to me as a parent. I don't have 200K laying around in mutual funds, checking or even home equity line to pay off the penalty because my kid got involved with drugs just to bail them out, let alone legal fees to defend them.

Our DS's friend on AFROTC scholarship walked away as a jr (C300) after summer field training (C200), he was IS tier 7, and before he could register for fall at the college, the AF put a lock on his school account. His folks had to pony up 35K+ to unlock the lock.

Thus, to answer jtoye's question?
Wait, so the 3/c get the boot and the 2/c write Uncle Sam a check?

The answer is yes! But remember the C3C also could be going to prison while the C2C bought their way out. Bullet went to Ft Leavenworth for PME, and the 1st thing do is give them a tour of the prison.

Back on topic, my fear is why anyone would ask that question regarding this issue. To me the bigger question is how much time they will make big rocks into little rock?
 
A couple of points:

"Spice" is not illegal. It is forbidden by the military, however, and military personnel have all been notified that they are not to use or possess it. The US Navy has even banned sailors from entering stores that are known to sell "spice".
As far as I know the penalty is separation, so I don't see any of these mids going to the brig unless there are other factors.

The penalty for breaking the contract and separating after commitment is the tuition only. Tuition is about $25,000/year. Still a significant figure, for sure.


http://articles.dailypress.com/2010...04_1_service-members-military-personnel-spice
 
A couple of points:

"Spice" is not illegal.

It is now in Maryland.

Annapolis Capital 12/23/10:

"Some states have outlawed synthetic marijuana, but until recently it could be purchased legally in a number of states, including Maryland.

In Maryland, Baltimore County and some other local jurisdictions have adopted ordinances outlawing the substance.

Effective Christmas Day, new federal Drug Enforcement Agency rules go into effect that outlaw the ingredients found in synthetic marijuana.

Maryland follows the federal list of substances, said Assistant State's Attorney William Katcef, which means that Spice and similar substances will be outlawed starting Saturday."​

:cool:
 
Gotcha, thanks. Does the article say when the offenses occurred?
Regardless, in places where this is legal - you can and will be separated if caught possessing or using.
 
As far as I know the penalty is separation, so I don't see any of these mids going to the brig unless there are other factors.

True, BUT the "discharge" can hurt too depending on what the military qualifies it. Other than honorable hurts when it comes to getting a job in the real world.
 
True, BUT the "discharge" can hurt too depending on what the military qualifies it. Other than honorable hurts when it comes to getting a job in the real world.
Oh, absolutely. A dishonorable discharge really hurts. I would not be surprised if some at least attempted to negotiate a general discharge.

@Luigi - yes, saw that. It would have been legal in MD then but still a violation of DOD.
 
Just to add some clarity on the discharge terms being used here...I will defer to any neighborhood JAGs, but as I recall from many interactions with the administrative and criminal naval justice system, there are five types of discharges (off top of head):

Bad Conduct Discharge: awarded as part of the penalties handed down at a special or general court-martial, for circumstances considered other than honorable.

Dishonorable Discharge: awarded as part of the penalties handed down at a general court-martial, for circumstances considered dishonorable.

So, the two above are part of the military criminal justice punishments that can be awarded.


Then, the other three, not awarded after a court-martial, but administratively assigned in these circumstances:

Honorable discharge: type of characterization assigned to a separation where the record supports honorable conditions. I would bet most of the military careerists who post on here have one of these.

General discharge: Assigned when the separation is under honorable conditions, but without sufficient meritorious military service to support an Honorable.

Other Than Honorable: Used in cases of misconduct or security issues.

If a military member has been separated/is discharged without a court-martial, and with or without an administrative conduct or performance procedure, they are assigned one of the three above, depending on circumstances. Typically, if they are separated before a civilian proceeding, the Navy will make a determination as to what type of the three will best fit the circumstances.

I'm pretty sure whatever the type discharge is, it shows up on the DD-214 separation from military service papers. I'd have to go look at mine. OTH, and most definitely BCD and DD, will present later security clearance and employment screening challenges. Hence the comment above about trying to get a General...
 
I had never heard of "spice" and wondered -- until I read further -- why ginger or saffron was causing such commotion. Showing my age, obviously. . .:rolleyes:
 
I love watching Luigi and Just a Mom trying to outdo each other...just sayin':biggrin:
 
I had never heard of "spice" and wondered -- until I read further -- why ginger or saffron was causing such commotion. Showing my age, obviously. . .:rolleyes:

That's okay. I didn't know what "spice" was until I got to USMA last summer and they told me we couldn't use it.:shake:
 
Capt MJ, you are correct. Enlisted can only get a BCD at a Special/General Court Martial and a DD at a General Court Martial. Officers (which includes MIDN/Cadets) do not receive punitive discharges, they receive a "Dismissal" from their service. There is a SECNAVINST that makes "Spice" illegal for Sailors/Marines.

Not sure if a Convening Authority would try to pursue a court-martial for this matter, as it normally would be a NJP/ADSEP process. However, this might be chargeable under Article 112a (Use/Possession/Distribution of Controlled Substance) and if not, it surely can be charged under Article 134 (for where it is illegal) or Article 92 (Failure to Obey a General Lawful Order), which carries up to a 2 year confinement.

In many places, as already stated, it is legal in the civilian world. In fact, one of my guys almost went to NJP (under Article 92) for it, but there just was not enough evidence and it ended up being dropped. "Spice," as I recall, cannot be tested in a urinalysis, so you pretty much need to see someone in possession/distribution or in the action.
 
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