I made a mistake

A lot of people here at USAFA have smoked marijuana once and marked it on their forms. I don't even think it's looked at by the board when making an admissions decision. For the poster, if you haven't called already, and you need a confidence boost, you should be fine. You're not on the honor code yet and a lot would go into rescinding your application. I don't have concrete experience in this arena, but my prediction is that you will be fine. Good luck!
 
jebdad said:
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.
Click to expand...

Maybe everyone doesn't follow "this glorious code of conduct", but that doesn't mean that the OP shouldn't. Honor isn't something you can chip away and have less of. You either have it, or you don't.

USAF303 said:
I wonder how those readers TWEs feel about this 'mistake'.
Click to expand...

And what is that supposed to mean? Somebody who got a TWE may have gotten the OP's Offer of Appointment if the admissions board knew that the OP smoked pot once and didn't write it down? That is preposterous. The OP would have been offered the appointment anyway.
It isn't a big deal. What is a big deal is that he's coming forward now and admitting to it. He could have easily kept quiet about it.
Taking responsibility and being the first to admit you screwed up, is the stuff from which officers are made.
Not mad at you, USAF303. I just don't agree with the inference you are making here.
 
THParent said:
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.
Click to expand...
It seems to me that the Doctor was surprised that he answered yes to alcohol use Because he didn’t consider trying a sip of beer at home as qualifing as alcohol use
 
THParent said:
Maybe everyone doesn't follow "this glorious code of conduct", but that doesn't mean that the OP shouldn't. Honor isn't something you can chip away and have less of. You either have it, or you don't.
Click to expand...

I agree that the OP should be strong and follow the honor code. I don't think I said anything to the contrary.

I was just pointing out that many, including myself, and my cadets prior to attendance at a SA, shared a naive view that walking the halls of USAFA, USMA, USNA, USMMA and USCGA were primarily kids that were the best of the best and pillars of integrity. Do the academy halls contain kids that live up to this view? Absolutely. But it is eye opening and disappointing the number that do not. I say this not to disparage the SAs and what they do, but to tell the OP to follow his heart and do the right thing. When he gets there it may be even harder to do the right thing. He needs to stay true to his foundation even when those around him are not.

Oh, and I disagree that you can't chip away at honor. I am sure there are many historical examples of honorable leaders that started out as such and were corrupted.
 
Been a week and have not heard anything else back. Not sure if that is a good or a bad sign..
 
I always make the assumption that no news is good news. YMMV.
 
Hoodlum15 said:
....You're not on the honor code yet....
Click to expand...

That's kinda scary...

You did the right thing Airforce89. Honor isn't a switch that gets turned on and off...seems yours is stuck in the "On" position and that's a great thing! Best of luck.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CAC
Bravo52 said:
Hoodlum15 said:
....You're not on the honor code yet....
Click to expand...
That's kinda scary...
Click to expand...

Not really? Time under the code is one of the major things the Academy looks at when evaluating whether or not to retain or separate someone who's been found in violation of the Honor Code (ie, a 4* who commits the same offense as a firstie may be more likely to be retained since they have much less time under the code.) If every appointee from across the country showed up with the exact same values and understanding of the USAFA Honor Code, there would be no need for honor education/remediation/probation. Whether you think every appointee should have that same understanding of the honor system as a firstie is irrelevant, because the Academy acknowledges that part of its role is to provide education and experiences that bring cadets together under its Honor Code.

You're right, honor isn't a switch, but it's also not as absolute as some people on this forum would have you believe. A lot of people (some are good friends of mine) made honor and/or conduct mistakes of varying degrees of severity, learned from their mistakes, and became better cadets and officers because of them. I get a little fed up when people on here start to talk about how little Johnny or Jane from Anywhere, USA might have gotten an appointment if Cadet/Appointee X hadn't made their big mistake.

Anyway, long way of saying that while having strong values and a sense of right and wrong are important throughout your whole life, the USAFA Honor Code only applies for four years, and whether or not someone made a false statement on a SF86 or whatever isn't typically handled through the lens of the honor program...especially when said statement was made before an appointee has even taken the honor oath.
 
Last edited:
BlahuKahuna...I think you get the point about honor...it's not just about "time under the code"...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top