Question..

Hello, I am an appointed member of the class of 2019. Recently I was given a ticket, Class C misdemeanor, for minor in consumption. I did not blow anywhere near the legal limit for a 21 year old driving but because I blew anything they had to give me the ticket. It is a small, low level ticket that I will pay a fine for and have to serve possible community service hours. It is on the same level as a speeding ticket. However at this point I'm terrified whether it will hinder my ability to go to West Point now. My hope is that someone from PSIP will ask me about it, I'll tell them the truth and then it'll be over with but I'm scared out of my mind.

If anyone has any information good or bad, please let me know.


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As I understand your post, driving was not involved? Just that your "blow" would have been below the BAC for driving? Or was driving involved? Minor drinking = problem. Minor drinking and driving = bigger problem.

As part of the appointee kit, you are going to have to fill out an electronic security questionnaire (e-Qip) and you are going to have to take a Police Record Check to your local police station. I can't remember all the questions on e-Qip, but if your google "SF-86" (standard security questionnaire for federal government employment) you will probably be able to find a pdf version. Pretty sure the questions asked will require you to disclose the citation. The police record check purpose is to catch situations like yours where you were not arrested and fingerprinted.

My advice is to get out ahead of this and tell your RC about it now. That gives more time for it to be resolved. And, I would be proactive in getting those community service hours assigned and completed so they aren't hanging over your head and you can report to USMA that the matter has been resolved. It might be worth writing a letter to the JP or Muni court and explaining your situation so you can expedite resolution. (I'm neither a lawyer nor your lawyer, so take my advice for nothing other than something to think about).

My advice is to be completely honest about it. I am not a West Point candidate, but based on my experience with other SA's, I am pretty sure you have to update Admissions immediately if your police record changes. Personally, I wouldn't wait to be asked about it...it could seem like you're trying to hide something. I think it's better to just bite the bullet, be honest, and hope for the best. And like Sledge said, it would be advisable to get the issue (including community service) resolved as soon as possible.

Yes sir, driving was not involved. Also I have already filed my security check for e-Qip so I can't go back and change it. Do you suggest I call and alert them as well so it doesn't look like I was trying to hide it? The ticket was dated 1 Feb and my e-Qip was dated 29 Jan so they would be able to see that I wasn't trying to hide it but rather it happened after.


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Yes, notify them ASAP!

USMA2019Appointee said:

Yes sir, driving was not involved. Also I have already filed my security check for e-Qip so I can't go back and change it. Do you suggest I call and alert them as well so it doesn't look like I was trying to hide it? The ticket was dated 1 Feb and my e-Qip was dated 29 Jan so they would be able to see that I wasn't trying to hide it but rather it happened after.


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I would email the RC and explain ALL the facts. Don't shade it. Be honest. And talk to your parents about going to see the court. You have told your parents, right?

Well that's a bummer. Yes you need to tell your RC in an email. Explain all circumstances, but be aware, your appointment may be rescinded. I hope you have a backup college plan in place and I hope other appointees take note of the likely consequences of underage drinking. Once admitted, the consequences of being found to have participated in underage drinking (whether ticketed or not) are 100 walking hours, room restriction for 60 days (only library, gym, class, meals and the bathroom are allowed), and loss of all privileges (passes, walking privileges, etc) for 90 days. A second issue (of any kind including academic failure of a class, failure of an apft, etc. ) will most likely result in separation.

Sledge said:

I would email the RC and explain ALL the facts. Don't shade it. Be honest. And talk to your parents about going to see the court. You have told your parents, right?

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Yes my parents know. My dad and I have both agreed, we are going to go to the court tomorrow see what he has to say find out all the facts and then I will email my RC. If I email them now I won't know anything about the judge, but if I wait to talk to him, I will know all the facts and my punishment and then be able to tell WP 110% of what has happened. Thanks for your help.


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Sounds like a good plan. Good luck.

FYI to all reading this: SAF offers inbox messaging. Something like this should never be public. This is a huge deal. Please, save your sensitive posts for administrators in the inbox. SMH.

mom3boys said:

FYI to all reading this: SAF offers inbox messaging. Something like this should never be public. This is a huge deal. Please, save your sensitive posts for administrators in the inbox. SMH.

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I would agree with you if anyone here could be identified but I didn't notice any identifying info in this thread. Did I miss something?

Here is what I know......we have a new appointee...who received appointment prior to the first wave (very few of those)...makes me think recruited athlete. Has already filled out security response (very few of those turned in)...and people in admissions watch this forum too. Not too hard for them to at least narrow it down.

Yeah, good points I suppose. But since he's planning on informing them in a timely manner I'm not sure it really matters they can figure out who it is. Hell, he's going to tell them who it is. And only folks in admissions can figure it out,not the wider public.

As a general rule I certainly agree with you that one needs to be wary when posting anything, anywhere. Hopefully the OP will read this portion of the thread and take any lesson he finds to heart.

My concern was if he happened to decide not to be forthcoming, as some CC's choose. Fingers crossed for good outcome.

USMA2019Appointee said:

It is a small, low level ticket that I will pay a fine for and have to serve possible community service hours. It is on the same level as a speeding ticket. However at this point I'm terrified whether it will hinder my ability to go to West Point now.

Click to expand...

You have already received good input on how to address your short term issue.

But something jumped out at me in the wording... If they fined you it's because you broke the law. People get speeding tickets by accident and also due to bad choices or habits. Rarely do people accidentally get drunk.

The issue is not the level of the fine. And certainly not be dismissive.

I'd be thinking about what type of judgement did you exhibit, as that's what the RC and others are likely concerned with. Can you learn from this? Owning up and accepting responsibility for the personal choice is the first step.

There is virtually no tolerance for this type of thing at USMA, at least until you reach the stereotypical "drunk firstie" phase. And even if legal, many firsties get caught with bad judgement and pay the consequences.