Can someone help me?

qwasklop

5-Year Member
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May 8, 2010
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2
I just opened my 3rd admissible mailing on my cadet portal and there is the SF86 form that I have to fill out and send to the academy that deals with investigations to get security clearance. On that form there is a question about prior drug use in the past 7 years. since I tried marijuana about 5 months ago before I found out about my appointment (it was the only time I have tried it and it will be my last), I would have to check yes. My question is, is this grounds for separation once I report for R Day?
 
it depends of what type of drug test is used; hair tests detect for a longer period of time, but idk how long that is...anyone want to insert how long a hair test detects your history?
 
You'll have to explain it, but I'm 99.99% sure you won't be separated. If you were to be given a urine test, you would pass it. If you were given a hair test, you probably would not.
 
yeah, I was talking to some cadets and they say that you take a urine test. I'm not worried about failing the drug test. My main concern is if I put down on the form that I have used it even one time, will they not grant me security clearance.
 
Just be honest -- use of marijuana in the past, especially with your explanation, should not affect your ability to receive a security clearance. Again -- the important thing is to be completely honest.
 
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yeah, I was talking to some cadets and they say that you take a urine test. I'm not worried about failing the drug test. My main concern is if I put down on the form that I have used it even one time, will they not grant me security clearance.

Potentially. In reality you will probably receive a clearance, since you really can't serve without one. But, I don't work for the Office of Personnel Management. They handle the investigations and will ultimately determine whether you're eligible. The important thing is that you disclose everything. The last thing you want is for an interviewee to reveal something you did not.

Be honest, and stay away from drugs. That behavior is incompatible with officership, and says something about your character.
 
Just be honest -- use of marijuana in the past, especially with your explanation, should not affect your ability to receive a security clearance. Again -- the important thing is to be completely honest.

Very true. I know adults who have received clearances despite modest past marijuana use. If you lie, on the other hand, you will (1) be committing a crime (it is a felony to answer falsely on a federal document); and (2) trying to base a career dependent on honor on a foundation of untruth.

Good luck to you.
 
Be honest, and stay away from drugs. That behavior is incompatible with officership, and says something about your character.

Scoutpilot, you said what I wanted to say.

Qwasklop, I think they will be very displeased with your lapse in judgment.
 
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Answer

In my opinion, I would answer honesty for a cadet does not lie or cheat. Also, I think part of the security clearance will be a lie detector test and I am sure that question would come up. I know my son had to take one but he was in the Air Force already. And yes, he did take drugs when he was a teenager also and I don't think he lied about it when they asked.
 
I would recommend answering honestly. After all, the worst thing that can happen if you answer honestly is that you'll lose your appointment. On the other hand if you lie you could potentially face criminal charges.

Forgive me, but isn't smoking marijuana a crime as well, even if it was 'the first and only time?'

This is true. But I think that it won't have as much bearing seeing as how in some places (like California) the use of marijuana is almost legal. It's barely enforced here.

I wonder what will happen if Californians decide to legalize marijuana usage here even though it will still be illegal federally.
 
I remember somewhere on the application it said have you ever used drugs except for experimentation with pot so I doubt they would separate you.
 
Like everyone said, the key is honesty. When it comes down to it, a one time marijuana use is really not going to hurt you getting a security clearance. You'd be in a different position if it was daily use for 3 years.

What has hurt people in the past is checking no when they used it once or twice recreationally. Four years later they are trying to get higher security clearences for something like intel...and while sitting in the room the polygrapher asks "have you ever used marijuana?" If the individual answered the question no, he'd obviously be found telling a lie. If he answered yes, the guys doing the clearence are going to cross-refrence and catch the lie on the form from 4 years earlier.
 
It has been stated well a few times. You need to be honest on the form, and hopefully/probably it will work out for you.

I have a top secret clearance at the federal government level and have never had to take a polygraph. There are higher clearances, but not sure when if ever a polygraph is given. They did check with a lot of my neighbors and friends about my past.
 
It has been stated well a few times. You need to be honest on the form, and hopefully/probably it will work out for you.

I have a top secret clearance at the federal government level and have never had to take a polygraph. There are higher clearances, but not sure when if ever a polygraph is given. They did check with a lot of my neighbors and friends about my past.

I don't know where this notion of a polygraph keeps coming from.
 
This is true. But I think that it won't have as much bearing seeing as how in some places (like California) the use of marijuana is almost legal. It's barely enforced here.

I wonder what will happen if Californians decide to legalize marijuana usage here even though it will still be illegal federally.

'Almost' is the key word! Being married to an undercover detective sergeant and living in the state right next door to California, I get what you are saying. However, you still get ticketed or arrested for use and/or possession (especially when underage!).
 
'Almost' is the key word! Being married to an undercover detective sergeant and living in the state right next door to California, I get what you are saying. However, you still get ticketed or arrested for use and/or possession (especially when underage!).

Oh yeah. Definitely. The laws are the same here pretty much as they are in Nevada.

But the world is changing and the likelihood that there will be many who have not tried marijuana is slowly becoming smaller. Granted, there are still a few (like myself) who haven't. But the vast majority have.

And it's not even really their fault. They grow up in an environment where everyone does it, their parents don't care, the cops don't enforce it, people argue for it, etc etc etc. You can't blame em if no one's ever told them it's wrong. Especially since it's a non-violent crime and affects no one but the user.

A lot of kids don't really even see what the problem is...which is why they try it or use it. I've met kids who didn't even know that smoking weed was wrong until they got to high school (and had been since middle school). Some kids were given it by their parents in middle school.

It's a sad sad world we live in.
 
You would have to be really distrusted to be subject to a polygraph.

My experience tells me, that if you were that "distrusted" you would not get the clearance. I think the polygraph notion must have come from the movies.
 
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