Experimental marijuana use?

USacademyhopeful

5-Year Member
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Nov 28, 2011
Messages
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A few months ago I smoked pot with my friends three times to basically just fit in. It was so amazingly stupid and Im angry with myself for doing it. I plan on answering truthfully when it comes to my application because I do not want to receive an appointment because of a lie. Would this be a huge issue or am I just making a big deal out of this? I know that drugs are serious and I literally have no intention of ever even thinking about doing it again. Any help would be more than appreciated!
 
No one here can give you a direct answer. Since you seem to be adamant on admitting to this use on the application, there is really nothing you can do but try and see what happens. Here's my story.

Flashback to 2010, I'm just graduating high school. I experimented with MJ use during high school as well, emphasis on experimented. I spent a semester in college and became interested in AFROTC. I went for my initial interview with the Det CC to go over things. I didn't say anything about the MJ, and he didn't ask. I called later because I was scared what might happen if I didn't say anything. He told me I was ineligible for ROTC. I was disappointed but understanding. I finished that year at college.

Flash forward six months. I had decided to pursue service and enlist in the USAF. My job required me to hold a Top Secret clearance w/ some extra secret squirrel stuff. The forms I had to fill out were ridiculous but I was perfectly honest about everything, full disclosure. My clearance was approved.

Within the first six months of my first duty assignment I was briefed on the USAFA and programs to commission enlisted personnel. I decided to apply and see what happened, full disclosure once again. Keep in mind that the process for enlisted personnel is nearly identical to civilians. I expected to be rejected in a similar fashion as AFROTC, but not I'm part of the USAFA Prep C/O '13

The bottom line is that "being of good moral character" is subjective. One service may think your offense meant nothing, while another service might throw your application/appointment out in a heartbeat. In my case, I think it was the fact that I was enlisted, held a TS clearance, and it had been a few years since the incident.

There's really nothing you can do but try.
 
JMPO, and throw it in the circular filing cabinet when you are done.

1. Be honest, because as stated in 4 yrs from now you may go up for a TS clearance, and it can come back and bite you in the arse. Main reason why is if you do not say 3 times now, but in 4 yrs from now you say 3 times, that will become an issue. Memories seem to fade, but AF docs live forever!

2. Experimenting is not 3 X. 1X, 2X maybe, but now by the third time you know what it feels like. This is where the line becomes blurred. Experimental or peer pressure?


Be honest, but be prepared.
 
JMPO
2. Experimenting is not 3 X. 1X, 2X maybe, but now by the third time you know what it feels like. This is where the line becomes blurred. Experimental or peer pressure?
I recall Clarksonarmy saying experimental was 18 times, of course that was AROTC.:wink:
 
It's unclear whether the OP is applying for a SA or ROTC. Since "appointment" was mentioned, I assume it's the former.

SAs are getting very tough on alcohol and drugs. USNA, for example, uses a "character board" to evaluate such things. I'm not sure all they consider but likely things such as number of times, age, any fallout (i.e., criminal activity), etc.

All you can do is move forward and see what happens.
 
+1 to USNA's comment.

Waivers are getting harder to come by due to the fact of supply and demand.

Packer,

I know clarkson stated 18 times, but I also know an AFROTC cadet that was dis-enrolled for smoking marijuana 3 times, cadet was not even scholarship, they were going to be contracted (jr yr) and that is when it all came out.

Each branch has their own manpower needs, thus, I prefer to err on the conservative side, and not tell candidates even 5 times will fly. Candidates need to remember that they should not give any branch or commissioning source not to select them.

As USNA stated all they can do now is move forward. They should be honest and admit everything now. Nothing is worse than doing 3-4 yrs going up for a TS clearance, and because they shaded the truth, not getting a TS.

The thing with shading the truth is you forget how much you shaded it and that will come back and bite you.
 
Pima;[QUOTE said:
261075Packer,

I know clarkson stated 18 times, but I also know an AFROTC cadet that was dis-enrolled for smoking marijuana 3 times, cadet was not even scholarship, they were going to be contracted (jr yr) and that is when it all came out.
[/QUOTE]
Hint: There was a litle tongue in cheek sarcasm in my post as well as the Clarkson post I was refering too.:smile:
 
Sorry, that went up and over my Polish brain! :redface:

OP needs to be honest, no if, and or buts. Let the chips fall where they may.
 
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