Marijuana Question AFROTC

[Jcleppe]

Sorry, but this makes no sense. If you did it and you put it down you aren't going to be joining the military. Why bother wasting everyone's time, they don't want you and won't take you. If you were dumb enough to smoke pot, and aren't going to hide the fact, then you can't join the military. They rolled the dice on their career when they smoked that first joint.

Of course what % of active duty officers do you think actually did smoke pot and didn't write it down on their questionnaire.

Not sure why you claim that if the OP checks the box and explains that it was a one time thing (As long as that's the case) that he will not be allowed to join the military. The military has two classifications, Experimental, and Habitual, the OP falls under experimental, he will most likely not have an issue.

Now, the part in Bold is what bothers me, why would anyone advise someone to just "Hide the fact"

This is what nick4060 was talking about when he said roll the dice with your career. Getting caught later will be much worse.

As far as how many officers did not check the box when they should have, who knows, but there are plenty that end up leaving when it's discovered they lied.

Having a hard time understanding what your position is, you seem very much against smoking pot, but perfectly fine with not admitting it.

 

[Pima]

I agree with Nick, whether you smoke it once or 50 times, be honest and roll the dice. Problem with lies is rarely can you remember them after a long time.

The AF is not naive, they expect that not every candidate is going to be the angel we all dreamed of when they were born.

As Jcleppe stated they have 2 categories. The thing that nobody here knows is where the line is from experimental and habitual. I do know that there are different lines for enlisted and for officers. The officer line is a much lower number, caveat enlisted going officer via OCS will be given a waiver because they have proven as enlisted member this was part of their past.

I think the highest number I have seen for AFROTC cadets is 3x for experimental. Those cadets did not need waivers, and nor was it an issue for TS clearance.

 

[Packer]

In the two years I have been on this site, it is always the people who have already checked the box who post, and they should remain consistent and not do it anymore.

While I agree honesty usually is the best policy, if you smoked dope more than a couple of times before you got in ROTC, don't be honest if you want to join. Some people will come on here and complain about this answer, but if you did smoke don't admit it.

Not sure why you claim that if the OP checks the box and explains that it was a one time thing (As long as that's the case) that he will not be allowed to join the military. The military has two classifications, Experimental, and Habitual, the OP falls under experimental, he will most likely not have an issue.

Now, the part in Bold is what bothers me, why would anyone advise someone to just "Hide the fact"

This is what nick4060 was talking about when he said roll the dice with your career. Getting caught later will be much worse.

As far as how many officers did not check the box when they should have, who knows, but there are plenty that end up leaving when it's discovered they lied.

Having a hard time understanding what your position is, you seem very much against smoking pot, but perfectly fine with not admitting it.

I don't think Moose is saying the OP should have said no. The OP appears to fall in the experimental area that will be "overlooked" after him having to clearly explain the circumstances multiple times to multiple people.

I do get what Moose is saying is that if someone has used 3 times, 5 times, 10 times etc. they are not getting in if they admit this but they can take a chance and lie and maybe get in and maybe get away with it. Their chancees statistically are better if they lie than if they tell the truth.

Now I am not condoning this so don't jump on me with both feet.

 

[Jcleppe]

I do get what Moose is saying is that if someone has used 3 times, 5 times, 10 times etc. they are not getting in if they admit this but they can take a chance and lie and maybe get in and maybe get away with it. Their chancees statistically are better if they lie than if they tell the truth.

Now I am not condoning this so don't jump on me with both feet.

No jumping from this end.

I agree with you and Moose, if someone has used multiple times they won't get in if the admit it and their chances are higher if they just lie about it. There is probably even a chance they would never be found out.

Like you, I could not condone this approach and would always advise against it. Getting in is the easy part, staying in is where it gets risky, especially if the person requires a TS Clearance, they might get through with a simple Secret Clearance. If the new LT or Ensign had lied on the initial application forms, received a scholarship, and then are caught by a TS Investigation, chances are they will be repaying that scholarship as well as other ramifications.

That was the only point I was trying to make, some of the posts seemed to be saying, if you want to get in, then don't check the box. I just wanted to let these kids reading this know that it doesn't end when you don't check the box, there is always a chance you'll be found out later. Frankly, I just don't feel the risk is worth it.

If you check the box honestly, there is a chance that you may not be allowed to join, but that's the end of it. If you hide anything, join based on that and are found out later, you now have a unfavorable discharge, possible criminal charges, and something on your record that will follow you for a long time.

 

[Packer]

No jumping from this end.

I agree with you and Moose, if someone has used multiple times they won't get in if the admit it and their chances are higher if they just lie about it. There is probably even a chance they would never be found out.

Like you, I could not condone this approach and would always advise against it. Getting in is the easy part, staying in is where it gets risky, especially if the person requires a TS Clearance, they might get through with a simple Secret Clearance. If the new LT or Ensign had lied on the initial application forms, received a scholarship, and then are caught by a TS Investigation, chances are they will be repaying that scholarship as well as other ramifications.

That was the only point I was trying to make, some of the posts seemed to be saying, if you want to get in, then don't check the box. I just wanted to let these kids reading this know that it doesn't end when you don't check the box, there is always a chance you'll be found out later. Frankly, I just don't feel the risk is worth it.

If you check the box honestly, there is a chance that you may not be allowed to join, but that's the end of it. If you hide anything, join based on that and are found out later, you now have a unfavorable discharge, possible criminal charges, and something on your record that will follow you for a long time.

Life is too short to spend it worrying about if you are going to get caught and lose everything you have gained.

 

[Jcleppe]

Life is too short to spend it worrying about if you are going to get caught and lose everything you have gained.

Got that right.

I think you summed it up the best.

 

[Pima]

+1 to Packer's post regarding how short life is.

Life is too short to spend it worrying about if you are going to get caught and lose everything you have gained.

We all fall into the trap of what ifs, maybes, etc. with a post like this regarding IF.


Live your life, go forward with your dream, and IF becomes a reality, at least you can say you don't have any IFs in your life since you went for it.


OP, I think you are fine. 1x is experimental.

 

[Moosestache]

I don't think Moose is saying the OP should have said no. The OP appears to fall in the experimental area that will be "overlooked" after him having to clearly explain the circumstances multiple times to multiple people.

I do get what Moose is saying is that if someone has used 3 times, 5 times, 10 times etc. they are not getting in if they admit this but they can take a chance and lie and maybe get in and maybe get away with it. Their chancees statistically are better if they lie than if they tell the truth.

Now I am not condoning this so don't jump on me with both feet.

Thank you for putting it better than I did Packer.

What every potential and current ROTC member should take away from this thread is DON'T SMOKE POT. Don't try it, don't experiment, don't go to places where it is going to be. Additionally, don't drink while you are underage, and don't break any laws. People always say young and stupid, well those stupid things you do when you are young have a very big chance of coming back and biting you in the arse when you are older.