Experimented with Marijuana after Appointment (What Will Happen?)

This thread is interesting. My first instinct is that there are likely at least a few SA appointees who are secretely looking for a way out. Perhaps they applied due to outside pressures/expectations or are now having second thoughts as reality sets in.

Folks who work with young people will attest to this baffling self-sabbatoging strain of senioritis.

If the OP is legitimate, he/she is unlikely to have resisted peer pressure for this long only to "accidentally" succumb to it at this stage of the game.

Just a thought....
 
cybersnyder said:
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But since you posted here already, what is possible is that someone from admissions saw your post and contacted the mods who can supply the IP address that you used to make your initial and only posting on the forum. Guess what other site tracks IP addresses? The Academy portal. So less likely than getting caught by a pee test is the possibility that they already know who you are and will do a hair follicle test on you when you arrive. Maybe you were smart and didn't use you home computer or any computer/device that you ever used to access the portal.

It's a longshot, but still possible.
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My thoughts exactly. It's pretty easy to trace the IP address. The question is, how important is it to the mods to track down this one incident?

Ultimately it comes down to how USAFA wants to deal with this. Should the OP report it? Of course! Don't break the honor code on day 1. Should this disqualify him? Quite frankly, not my decision.

We all have opinions about this and I suspect this isn't the first time that this has happened. I also suspect that the repercussions are much worse if you lie about it and USAFA finds out about it later. The honor code isn't a suggestion.
 
I really couldn't believe it when I first read the OP's post. After reading all the replies, I still can't believe it. That being said, my thought is that someone is doing a paper / research on this subject and wanted some inputs and opinions. One way or another, truth or fiction, they got what what they were looking for! Awesome responses and very honest advice.

My advice: Do all things with excellence. Keep the faith and be honest to yourself first. Life's too long to be looking over your shoulder. If the OP's story is true, then the OP is not the only one who knows...and it will just be a matter of time before the "truth" is discovered.
 
aglages said:
Does anyone believe that if he admits to smoking pot AFTER receiving his appointment that he will keep his appointment and be allowed to show up on I-Day?
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I think there may be a possibility. I think a lot depends upon how and when he handles it.

Anyone want to recommend that the OP NOT come clean about this one time youthful mistake in judgement?
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Absolutely not. He should come clean now. It will be hanging over his head forever if he doesn't and he may end up "driving himself" out as payback if he doesn't.

Regardless of how forgiving/understanding some posters have suggested we should be.....will the powers that be at USAFA understand/forgive this one mistake and allow the OP to in-process on I-Day this year?
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Again, depends on how and when he handles it. There is a possibility of forgiveness if he addresses it now in a remorseful manner and vows it won't happen again. Not saying they will not pull his appointment but I think it's the only chance of surviving, if there is any.
 
I've personally seen three individuals escorted out of processing because they admitted drug use on I-day, contrary to what they had signed on the 2030.

I think OP is toast, no matter how he tries to spin it.

Personally, I would give him another chance.
 
He is not a member of the military yet. Applying, or being accepted to a service Academy is not an oath.

He will fill out his SF 83 for his security clearance. In it, it will ask him if he has used drugs in the past 7 years. It will ask date of first use and last use, and how many times. It will ask if he intends to use them in the future.

If he says "Marijuana. Sr Year, HS. Sr year HS, Once. No" It is truthful, and he wont be the only Cadet (or Officer) who has to fill out this section.

Will they boot him? Maybe, but I doubt it. If he calls his Liaison and says "I am a self destructive degenerate loser who really doesn't deserve to be an Officer, and I smoked a joint after being offered an Appointment. Can you guys kick me out?". They will likely accommodate him.

I don't see any difference in the facts and circumstances, nor any difference in the truthfulness. The issue to me is his state of mind. Did he do a dumb thing, and learn something valuable, or is he self destructive?

I think that call is his to make, not the forums. If it is the latter, he should follow his heart and step down. If it is the former, he can truthfully fill out his SF, take his oath, and join a long line of imperfect people who always strive to be better.
 
Anyone want to recommend that the OP NOT come clean about this one time youthful mistake in judgement?
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Nope....but every appointee that has had a beer or even just a sip after accepting their appointment should follow the same advice, shouldn't they.
 
incredible - 66 posts deep and not one peep from OP. probably laughing at all of us spending our time on this thread.:confused::thumbdown::rolleyes:
 
Jcleppe said:
Nope....but every appointee that has had a beer or even just a sip after accepting their appointment should follow the same advice, shouldn't they.
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I don't know. I believe on the alcohol question it is illegal alcohol use. A minor in WA can drink at home in the presence of his parents legally. I get your point though and agree.
 
nothingventurednothinggai said:
If he calls his Liaison and says "I am a self destructive degenerate loser who really doesn't deserve to be an Officer, and I smoked a joint after being offered an Appointment.
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How about if he calls his ALO and instead says: "Two days ago at a party, I experimented with marijuana. I was foolish for even doing it, and I will never do it again. What repercussions do you think this will have on my appointment?"?
 
skismuggs said:
incredible - 66 posts deep and not one peep from OP. probably laughing at all of us spending our time on this thread.:confused::thumbdown::rolleyes:
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I've thought of that, and you're probably correct. However, I think this thread is valuable to all future appointees anyway. I also suspect we've had one just like it each spring.
 
nothingventurednothinggai said:
He is not a member of the military yet. Applying, or being accepted to a service Academy is not an oath.

He will fill out his SF 83 for his security clearance. In it, it will ask him if he has used drugs in the past 7 years. It will ask date of first use and last use, and how many times. It will ask if he intends to use them in the future.

If he says "Marijuana. Sr Year, HS. Sr year HS, Once. No" It is truthful, and he wont be the only Cadet (or Officer) who has to fill out this section.

Will they boot him? Maybe, but I doubt it. If he calls his Liaison and says "I am a self destructive degenerate loser who really doesn't deserve to be an Officer, and I smoked a joint after being offered an Appointment. Can you guys kick me out?". They will likely accommodate him.

I don't see any difference in the facts and circumstances, nor any difference in the truthfulness. The issue to me is his state of mind. Did he do a dumb thing, and learn something valuable, or is he self destructive?

I think that call is his to make, not the forums. If it is the latter, he should follow his heart and step down. If it is the former, he can truthfully fill out his SF, take his oath, and join a long line of imperfect people who always strive to be better.
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That's my thinking. You said it much better than I.
 
Jcleppe said:
.. every appointee that has had a beer or even just a sip after accepting their appointment should follow the same advice, shouldn't they.
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Not disagreeing with you on whether they should, but after receiving your appointment which conversation with your ALO would you rather have?
1. "Two days ago at a party, I experimented with marijuana."
2. "Two days ago at a party, I had a sip of beer."

While neither will probably thrill your ALO, I am not sure s/he will view both as the same.
 
aglages said:
Not disagreeing with you on whether they should, but after receiving your appointment which conversation with your ALO would you rather have?
1. "Two days ago at a party, I experimented with marijuana."
2. "Two days ago at a party, I had a sip of beer."

While neither will probably thrill your ALO, I am not sure s/he will view both as the same.
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I just figured the Honor Code is the Honor Code, no wiggle room, not to what degree it was broken.

According to my son's AROTC BN Cadre, drink while under age and it's Bye Bye, thanks for playing. Not saying it doesn't happen, just that they better not get caught and I'm sure none of them self report.

I do agree though, I'd much rather have the #2 conversation.
 
ALO's don't do security investigations. His job is done. OP and OPM etc own it now. If he has, and continues to be, truthful, he is more likely than not going to get to serve.

The question he has to ask himself was this behavior really 'suicide by cop'. If it was, then he should step aside. Otherwise, he will likely be successful be on his second attempt, and that is ugly. 20 years old, kicked out of College and the Service, with a scarlet A for life.

If it was 'just' a stupid teen move, he needs to take a deep breath, keep marching, be truthful, and never let hormones or friends compromise his better judgment again.
 
I think the national views on pot are changing and a person in this type of scenario has a chance. Smoking pot is legal in two states - what happens with candidates from these states where no laws were broken while smoking pot? Heck, Clinton and Obama smoked pot and they were elected President of the United States.

That said, I would boot him out in a heartbeat if he was standing before my green table.
 
I know this has been discussed here before, but I just wanted to point out that there is a difference (at least at USAFA) between discipline/conduct offenses and honor offenses...so unless anyone committing any offense lies about it, it's not an honor related issue.

While smoking shortly after receiving an appointment is, admittedly, one of the dumbest things you could do, I agree with previous posters that smoking a joint certainly doesn't preclude someone from becoming a good leader. It's naive to assume that there aren't plenty of good cadets who have made similar (or identical) poor choices, both before and during their time here.
 
"I think that call is his to make, not the forums."......

Fair enough except the OP asked for our opinion and got it.

"What repercussions do you think this will have on my appointment?"
 
2018USNA said:
I think the national views on pot are changing and a person in this type of scenario has a chance. Smoking pot is legal in two states - what happens with candidates from these states where no laws were broken while smoking pot? Heck, Clinton and Obama smoked pot and they were elected President of the United States.

That said, I would boot him out in a heartbeat if he was standing before my green table.
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Well most candidates are under 21 so there aren't too many scenarios that I can think of where no laws were broken while smoking pot. No scenarios when you consider that it is still illegal at the federal level.
 
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