I made a mistake

A

airforce89

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Apr 18, 2018
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6
I have recently received an appointment to USAFA, but this has been eating away at me for months.

When filling out the initial drug abuse form, I checked "no" for experimenting with marijuana. However, I tried it once with my cousin at the end of high school and never want to do it again. I will not associate with it ever again, as it is the biggest mistake of my life. I checked no out of complete fear of both not receiving an appointment and embarrassment of my actions, as I regret it every single day and would do anything to go back in time to both not do it or make the right decision on my form. My parents are aware that I have tried it once, but they do not know that I fearfully checked no on my form. At the time I did it I had not planned on applying to USAFA, for that decision was made a few months later.

My question is, what will be the possible/most likely repercussion when I contact USAFA to confess my actions? "Integrity first" has been driving me forward since applying, but I cannot fully live that out until I admit my mistakes. The consequences will be inevitable, and I will accept them, as I cannot be a true officer unless I live out what I believe. I can no longer live with this burden for it is not what the Air Force represents, nor is it what I represent. I made a terrible mistake. Thank you for any information you may have.
 
You seem to have made your decision. I applaud your desire to be honest. A phone call with with your RC is probably your best bet.

Good luck.
 
No one can predict the outcome, but if you explain it like you explained it here I expect the outcome would be positive. Make the call and put it behind you. If you don't reveal it and it comes up in a security check later there may be problems for being dishonest at that time.
 
Yes you did. Some on other threads not only support and defend this country, they protect it from may things including illegal drugs. Before you or others Pooh P00h your actions you need to ask yourself if you are worthy.
 
@airforce89 I applaud you for realizing your mistake and taking ownership. It's not my place (or anyone else's for that matter) to judge you. We all make mistakes and deserve the right to learn and grow from those mistakes. While I don't agree with the use of drugs, I know plenty of people who have done far worse things and went on to do great things for our country. Make your call and be completely honest. I'm rooting for you!
 
I grew up in the 60's and never smoked pot. Not once.
I never judge those that do, and think it ought to be made legal in all States.
I still wouldn't try it if it was legal, but I would support making it so.
I have only met a handful of people who haven't tried it, so the fact that you did, probably puts you in the majority (at least in my non-scientific poll).

Good advice here. Give your RC a call. More than likely, it will be a "don't worry about it" thing.
If that's the case, following up with an EMail is a good way to have things in writing, in case it comes up later in a security clearance questionnaire or interview.

"I appreciate you talking to me about the one-time marijuana-use issue, and setting my mind at ease that it's okay..."
Or words to that effect.
 
Skipper07 said:
You seem to have made your decision. I applaud your desire to be honest. A phone call with with your RC is probably your best bet.

Good luck.
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Thank you for the advice. Just for clarification, is my RC my regional counselor or regional commander?
 
I would hold off on making any official calls to your RC. I wouldn't disclose my name, but you might ask the question and I would phrase the question to insure the person answering it knew this was an 'academic situation' type question.

I had many classmates declare they had never tried marijuana on their application, but once they had to fill out a security form while at USAFA admitted to it. USAFA did not penalize them. (I have never used illegal drugs nor do I condone it. I was absolutely shocked that some of my classmates did and lied about it on a form - but they were minors not subject to the UCMJ nor the Honor Code when they did it).

They did come clean later.

It will come as no shock to USAFA that teenagers and young adults have done and will do stupid things.
 
I don't often cross over to the dark side of the forum and post in USMA or USAFA forums, but this one caught my eye..

First, understand the "mistake" was not in trying marijuana.. as others have posted , the experimenting with marijuana is (unfortunately) common place these days, and I don't think anyone would have thought twice ....if originally reported.

The "mistake" is in failure to provide a truthful response. I don't understand the comments about this occurring on the initial drug abuse form, and not deciding to apply to USAFA until later. Perhaps its a USAFA thing, but how do you fill out a form associated with USAFA without deciding to apply ?

I'll leave the advice regarding how to address this with USAFA to those with more relevant and specific knowledge, but will leave one bit of advice ...the coverup is often worse than the offense. Compounding the problem is not a "mistake", but a knowing misrepresentation or lie.
 
The mistake I made is indeed the misrepresentation or lie. The mistake was not marking no, but instead was knowingly marking the wrong answer which does not comply with the core values. I use the term mistake, not as an "accidental" definition, but in a regretful connotation. Also, to clarify my OP, what I meant was that the incident of smoking occurred before I decided to apply to USAFA. The mistake of not following my gut and marking no on the form occurred when I began the application. Again, I am not looking for any applause for being honest or anyone to "Pooh Pooh" my actions, as I am fully aware that the instance was wrong, untruthful, and against all of what the military stands for. I was just looking for insight of how other similar instances turned out so that I know the right way to approach the issue.
 
Hollyrock said:
Yes you did. Some on other threads not only support and defend this country, they protect it from may things including illegal drugs. Before you or others Pooh P00h your actions you need to ask yourself if you are worthy.
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That is harsh. One dumb act... and a minor one at that. The act of lying about it is more severe than the pot. I hope he is given some slack. Sounds like a great kid that has learned his lesson.
 
Just as some context: My DS marked yes to "alcohol use" on his DoDMERB paperwork. When he went for his physical, the DoD Doctor asked him what that was all about. He replied that he had indeed tried a sip of beer once or twice at home with his Mother and I, so he technically had to say "yes". The Doctor looked at him (like he had two heads) and said, "Yeah, that's not what we're looking for here, I'm going to make a note so you don't get questioned about it later". Go figure.

The moral of that story is just always answer truthfully. The truth is a lot easier to remember later.
 
The moral of that story is just always answer truthfully. The truth is a lot easier to remember later.
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... and be sure to drink your Ovaltine! :D
 
@airforce89

A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do - USAFA honor code.

Learn that code, and live by it.

Unless you’re hiding enemies of the state in an authoritarian regime (or something crazy like that), I always find it better to tell the truth. Takes the weight of your chest. Ya feel?

I applaud you for owning up to what you did, but try not to lie in the first place.
 
THParent said:
He replied that he had indeed tried a sip of beer once or twice at home with his Mother and I
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> That's not even illegal in some states, private in house consumption when served by parents. I was still in grade school when my Dad would give me a shot glass of beer when I helped him cut the lawn. He quit sharing when I go older and would let me take a hit off his beer if I went to the 'fridge to get it -- I got to the point where I could pretty much down the can before I got it to him.

THParent said:
He doesn't even like beer and he wants to be a Marine.
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> He'll learn ...I hope times haven't changed that much :) The key is drinking responsibly.
 
THParent said:
He doesn't even like beer and he wants to be a Marine.
I feel like Vizinni in The Princess Bride.
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DS didn't like beer either. He took up brewing beer in college after I convinced him making moonshine in his homemade still was illegal (it was some good sh*t though!). He went on to get various certifications and can now judge beer competitions. Going to a craft brewer with him is really an experience. (Dad, did you pick up the notes of banana in that one?). He gets paid to write craft brewery reviews on a beer blog. His best job ever was tending bar and leading tours at a craft brewery the summer before reporting for TBS. Don't give up hope on your kid!!!! The Corps will reach him how! :)

Oh yeah, he planned his cross-country trip to his MOS station at 29 Palms around the craft breweries he wanted to hit. Usually two a day, sometimes three. He always seemed to get the beirmeister to give him a free tour.
 
One thing I will say after seeing some of the responses to your original post is that I think for many who are on the outside looking in - in the application phase or preparing to apply, there is this naive perception that everyone at an SA follows this glorious code of conduct to a "T". When you get to your SA, be prepared to be disappointed. There will be many who don't operate even up to the level of remorse you are conveying in your original post. You will discover that many of your academy peers partied it up throughout high school and continue to do so at the academy - there will be underage drinking, drugs, cheating, breaking the rules, etc. There will be plenty of actions that don't reflect "integrity first."

That doesn't make what you did right. Your remorse means you care and are looking to do the right thing.
 
I will be contacting my admissions counselor in the morning. Thank you all for your insight.
 
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