I did it once it 8th grade, hated it, and never did it again. If I am honest and admit it, form 2030 says it can be wavered (and I'm assuming one time can be wavered). Does this mean that the application review board and nomination board will not see it and won't use it against me if it is wavered?
If I have done marijuana once, will it be counted against me in the admission process
- Thread starter USAFA2018
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I'm disturbed that someone who wants to be "honorable" in the future would discuss if he should be honest on a legal form.
Yes, you should be honest on the form.
Yes, you should be honest on the form.
USAFA2018 never asked whether he should be honest, nor did he indicate any intention of lying on the form. He just asked if admitting to using marijuana once would be harmful to his chances of admission.
Cadets can be admitted even if they've experimented with marijuana. I don't know what the cutoff is for how many times is too many, but I know of people who have been appointed to the Academy despite experimenting in high school.
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"If I am honest and admit it" would suggest honesty, in the poster's mind, is an option (meaning, dishonesty is also an option).
"Since I am honest" or "Because I'm honest".... would be different
"Since I am honest" or "Because I'm honest".... would be different
Christcorp
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Agreed. But I'm sure the OP "meant" that he would be honest. But I agree; the word "IF" implies that he has a CHOICE and MAY choose to not be honest.
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Being honest about past drug abuse, or any other illegal or questionable activity, is far, far, preferable to lying about it.
Simply: it may or may not "count against you" if you admit to the offense. Lying about it will surely count against you.
Simply: it may or may not "count against you" if you admit to the offense. Lying about it will surely count against you.
Christcorp
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They will when you admit it on the form. If you're asking, will they find out if you don't tell them, then the answer is "maybe". They will have you fill out similar forms again once you're accepted. Then later, they will be doing a security clearance background check on you. There are other checks the military sometimes do. Point is, if at any time, one of the responses doesn't match the others; e.g. during the security clearance background check, they discover you experimented once, but your responses till then were you never did, then life as you know it is over. What that life or consequence is, I can't tell you. But I can say that if there are conflicting reports down the road, you will know about it.
Here's the deal. If you want to be in the military, doesn't matter if enlisted or officer through the academy, the military only accepts ADULTS. Even if you go in at 17 years old, you are legally emancipated from your parents and are a legal adult. You can sign documents, contracts, etc. And your parents have no say so. They can't even find out about medical issues with you unless you give permission. Even at 17 years old. So, as an adult, we have to live with our actions from the past and our decisions. Now is a good time to act like an adult and make your own decision. Will the military find out you experimented in the past? Maybe and maybe not. You decide what you are going to divulge to them. And be an adult and love with that decision. And if telling the truth somehow disqualifies you from the academy; very unlikely; then that's something you just deal with in life and move on.
No one knows if they will find out. But we do know that if they do, and you lied about it previously, stuff will hit the fan. And as said, some current cadets and alumni made it through the academy after admitting experimenting in high school. That's the only answer you're going to get here. Anything else will simply be a feel good answer to make you feel better about the situation. Sorry, but that's my style. I'm pretty blunt and honest with my opinions and facts. You can choose what you believe this reply is. Best of luck to you.
Here's the deal. If you want to be in the military, doesn't matter if enlisted or officer through the academy, the military only accepts ADULTS. Even if you go in at 17 years old, you are legally emancipated from your parents and are a legal adult. You can sign documents, contracts, etc. And your parents have no say so. They can't even find out about medical issues with you unless you give permission. Even at 17 years old. So, as an adult, we have to live with our actions from the past and our decisions. Now is a good time to act like an adult and make your own decision. Will the military find out you experimented in the past? Maybe and maybe not. You decide what you are going to divulge to them. And be an adult and love with that decision. And if telling the truth somehow disqualifies you from the academy; very unlikely; then that's something you just deal with in life and move on.
No one knows if they will find out. But we do know that if they do, and you lied about it previously, stuff will hit the fan. And as said, some current cadets and alumni made it through the academy after admitting experimenting in high school. That's the only answer you're going to get here. Anything else will simply be a feel good answer to make you feel better about the situation. Sorry, but that's my style. I'm pretty blunt and honest with my opinions and facts. You can choose what you believe this reply is. Best of luck to you.
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The background check usually involves interviews with past friends, coworkers, bosses or teachers. If more than one of their stories is inconsistent with yours you may be in trouble.
I admitted to MJ use on my application, recieved a waiver and was accepted. Did it have a negative impact on my application? Most likely yes, but it did not completely disqualify me. Good luck.
In-the-Know
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Christcorp is spot on. Your ALO will read you a script that you will then verify online. Listen to your ALO carefully and then read that whole script carefully online before you sign and submit your answer. You are signing an official document. The consequences of being honest and denied admission are very small relative the the consequences of lying and then being caught in that lie. If you are denied a waiver and lose your shot at USAFA you simply move on to plan B. If you are admitted and caught in the lie--well let's just say it is not pretty. I am not saying you will be denied or granted a waiver if you are honest. But if you value honesty and you are a person of integrity, you will own up to your past and accept the consequences--favorable or unfavorable. This is exactly what is demanded of our cadets and future officers.
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Will it be held against you? Maybe. But considering you were only 12 or 13 at the time will probably be taken into consideration. When you are applying you will have to write an essay about an ethical decision in your life and how you dealt with it - you already have a topic. Good luck!
Christcorp
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I'm sure you've got your reasons for all these questions, but as far as this topic is concerned, those questions are 100% irrelavent. Unless of course you have intentions of not being totally truthful in your application.
But to satisfy your curiosity, if you receive an appointment, part of the package of more paperwork you will need to fill out, is a security clearance sheet where you list people that the military can and will contact to discuss your background. And depending on the results, you may find out before you go to the academy; if there's a problem. If there are no problems, then you won't really hear anything about it. And depending on your job, when you graduate the academy, you'll go through another one at that time. And depending on the type of security clearance you have, there will be periodic recertifications done.
But to satisfy your curiosity, if you receive an appointment, part of the package of more paperwork you will need to fill out, is a security clearance sheet where you list people that the military can and will contact to discuss your background. And depending on the results, you may find out before you go to the academy; if there's a problem. If there are no problems, then you won't really hear anything about it. And depending on your job, when you graduate the academy, you'll go through another one at that time. And depending on the type of security clearance you have, there will be periodic recertifications done.
Tell the truth
The Academy expects truth, regardless of the choices inherent in that truth. Believe all posts regarding telling the truth. In the end, they are looking for character and integrity. Someone with character and integrity doesn't lie, and that is one measure by which you'll be accepted or denied and appointment.
The Academy expects truth, regardless of the choices inherent in that truth. Believe all posts regarding telling the truth. In the end, they are looking for character and integrity. Someone with character and integrity doesn't lie, and that is one measure by which you'll be accepted or denied and appointment.
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Honor Code: We will not lie, steal or cheat nor tolerate among us anyone who does.
Honor Oath: We will not lie, steal or cheat nor tolerate among us anyone who does. Furthermore, I resolve to do my duty and live honorably, so help me God.
Spirit of the Code: Do the right thing and live honorably.
Honor Oath: We will not lie, steal or cheat nor tolerate among us anyone who does. Furthermore, I resolve to do my duty and live honorably, so help me God.
Spirit of the Code: Do the right thing and live honorably.
Here's my situation.. I've always been a very moral person and going to the academy has been a dream of mine for a long time. I know I totally messed up by trying marijuana once a long time ago and if I could change it I would. I believe that everyone makes mistakes, and I honestly don't think I need to be penalized for doing MJ once; I've learned from my mistakes and I don't even want to see that crap ever again.. I understand the honor code and everything the academy stands for, but I'm torn between telling the truth and possibly loosing my dream and lying and achieving my dream; honestly the latter sounds pretty appealing. As far as the security clearances go, very little people know about the incident and I don't have a Facebook or twitter or anything like that so how could they find them? I know telling is the right thing to do, it's just I don't want to lose a shot at my dream for a mistake I made a long time ago when I was ignorant and stupid. Even if im honest and i get in i would lose a shot at some of my clearances, right? What should i do? How much would it effect my application, because the way I see it an Air Force officer looking at a candidate the tried MJ doesn't look to good. Help??
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Okay...as CC and others have said: honesty is the BEST policy.
Now...to your questions in the last post.
BE HONEST. Here's why; with a true example thrown in.
In my 19 years as an ALO, I have had several candidates that admitted to using "fill in the blank" once...and one or two "twice." They so stated on their paperwork, explained fully, and sweated out the process. Some received appointments, some didn't. I can however tell you that those that did NOT, weren't going to get one anyway...they didn't have the package to win the appointment (low SAT/ACT, GPA, etc...etc...). I don't believe the drug issue played a hand.
Oh, the one's that did receive appointments...had admitted use. They were honest and honorable, which is what we want in our armed forces, and they were allowed to serve.
Now...the example I have for you. Picture a young man, #10 in his class of 900+ in high school; GPA of 4.5+, SAT's of 1450 (Math and Verbal), 3 sport letterman, etc, etc. He isn't interested in USAFA, he wants to go to a "very prestigious university back East and do AFROTC.
He wins the coveted TYPE 1 scholarship (everything paid for). So off he goes to his school, prize in hand. When he in-processes, just like USAFA, there's that drug form. And this time he walks right up to one of the AF officers and says: "Sir...after I submitted all my paperwork, I remembered that one time last year, after a huge win, I did try MJ once....got sicker than I ever knew was possible, NEVER did it again. Should I put it on the form?"
"Yes you must!" said the officer. So this young man did.
Three days later his scholarship was revoked. The reason given?
"Falsifying official government form."
Later in a meeting with the Professor of Aerospace Science (PAS, the Colonel in charge of ROTC as this university) the colonel told him: HAD YOU ADMITTED IT EARLIER, I have been told by HQ AFROTC that you would have still received the scholarship!
So he's now competing as an AF ROTC cadet for an "in school" scholarship, having had to take loans for his first 18 months of school.
Long post, but I wanted to give an example.
Honesty...one of the pillars of our CORE VALUES in the USAF: "Integrity FIRST..."
Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
Now...to your questions in the last post.
BE HONEST. Here's why; with a true example thrown in.
In my 19 years as an ALO, I have had several candidates that admitted to using "fill in the blank" once...and one or two "twice." They so stated on their paperwork, explained fully, and sweated out the process. Some received appointments, some didn't. I can however tell you that those that did NOT, weren't going to get one anyway...they didn't have the package to win the appointment (low SAT/ACT, GPA, etc...etc...). I don't believe the drug issue played a hand.
Oh, the one's that did receive appointments...had admitted use. They were honest and honorable, which is what we want in our armed forces, and they were allowed to serve.
Now...the example I have for you. Picture a young man, #10 in his class of 900+ in high school; GPA of 4.5+, SAT's of 1450 (Math and Verbal), 3 sport letterman, etc, etc. He isn't interested in USAFA, he wants to go to a "very prestigious university back East and do AFROTC.
He wins the coveted TYPE 1 scholarship (everything paid for). So off he goes to his school, prize in hand. When he in-processes, just like USAFA, there's that drug form. And this time he walks right up to one of the AF officers and says: "Sir...after I submitted all my paperwork, I remembered that one time last year, after a huge win, I did try MJ once....got sicker than I ever knew was possible, NEVER did it again. Should I put it on the form?"
"Yes you must!" said the officer. So this young man did.
Three days later his scholarship was revoked. The reason given?
"Falsifying official government form."
Later in a meeting with the Professor of Aerospace Science (PAS, the Colonel in charge of ROTC as this university) the colonel told him: HAD YOU ADMITTED IT EARLIER, I have been told by HQ AFROTC that you would have still received the scholarship!
So he's now competing as an AF ROTC cadet for an "in school" scholarship, having had to take loans for his first 18 months of school.
Long post, but I wanted to give an example.
Honesty...one of the pillars of our CORE VALUES in the USAF: "Integrity FIRST..."
Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83