. . . They're not looking for a squeaky clean record necessarily, but that you aren't hiding anything or associating with terrorists or foreign governments.
I'd wait til you sit down with cadre and do entrance counseling (Form 139R if I remember correctly). You WILL be asked about drug use on this form (what and how often). It won't necessarily DQ you, but it's been a couple years since I filled out that form, so things could have changed.
I say wait on emailing DoDMERB, because your cadre will have advice none of us can give you, and I would heed that over some dude named Bull on the internet.
Keep in mind I also used an amphetamine without a prescription once to try it, is that an automatic DQ or is it more on the level of experimental pot use? Thanks for your advice, Bull
Okay, I am going to be honest here. The reason why I asked this is because in rare bout of pure stupidity and shame I answered no to the DoDMERB questionnaire on drug and alcohol use when I filled out the forms earlier this year. The fact is I do drink but only on the weekends and never too much to cause a problem. I experimented with pot my freshmen year of college (well over a year ago) probably about 4-5 times and haven't done it since. Several months ago I also used a prescription ADD med my friend gave me( only used it once). I was never in trouble with the law for any of those and other than a few roomates at college very few people know I've used pot or whether I took an ADD med. It was a combination of fear of an automatic DQ and the fear it would get back to my parents and the shame that would result that made me answer no. I planned on disclosing the drug usage on on the clearance form but I realized the mistake I made several months ago would haunt me.
I understand this puts me in a terrible situation but I have not contracted with ROTC yet or signed anything. I haven't been asked this question by anyone in ROTC so I didn't lie to them. Should I email DoDMERB now and try to correct my mistake? What do you think the consequences will be for my medical status and my status in ROTC if I do that?
I know there are people who lied about this just like I did and got away with it but doing that just doesn't sit well with me.
Any help/advice would be appreciated.
Okay, I am going to be honest here. The reason why I asked this is because in rare bout of pure stupidity and shame I answered no to the DoDMERB questionnaire on drug and alcohol use when I filled out the forms earlier this year. The fact is I do drink but only on the weekends and never too much to cause a problem. I experimented with pot my freshmen year of college (well over a year ago) probably about 4-5 times and haven't done it since. Several months ago I also used a prescription ADD med my friend gave me( only used it once). I was never in trouble with the law for any of those and other than a few roomates at college very few people know I've used pot or whether I took an ADD med. It was a combination of fear of an automatic DQ and the fear it would get back to my parents and the shame that would result that made me answer no. I planned on disclosing the drug usage on on the clearance form but I realized the mistake I made several months ago would haunt me.
I understand this puts me in a terrible situation but I have not contracted with ROTC yet or signed anything. I haven't been asked this question by anyone in ROTC so I didn't lie to them. Should I email DoDMERB now and try to correct my mistake? What do you think the consequences will be for my medical status and my status in ROTC if I do that?
I know there are people who lied about this just like I did and got away with it but doing that just doesn't sit well with me.
Any help/advice would be appreciated.
Jcleppe said:You mentioned that you know others that have lied and got away with it, just remember, they haven'y got away with anything yet if they are still in ROTC or in the Regular Army, it will very likely still come back to bite them.
Jcleppe and I have DS's that had to get a TS clearance due to their career fields (rated).
Heed his words, this clearance is the walk in the park. Jcleppe and our DS know every 5 yrs from now they will go through the process again. Retire in 20 yrs from now and work for a defense contractor you will go through it until you retire from contracting. Lie today and get away with it great, but the ones that have lied and got away with it does not equal they will AD.
1 slip up because you were not 1000% honest in your youth can mean stress later on come commissioning, or worse yet, not your dream career. It is not a lie, nor an exaggeration they will interview personally every reference.
My one piece of advice is you should understand us old folks (cadre/parents) are not as dumb as we seem regarding social media. 10 will get you 20 if your unit has a group site on FB, your alcohol imbibing is known. You all accept friend requests like the avg person blinks.
Be honest, just like when you were 10 and broke a vase, but blamed it on your younger sibling, we knew it was you. Your punishment was less because you stepped up to the plate.