Will I lose my AROTC scholarship?

T

TFan1333

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May 14, 2019
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I was convinced a few months ago that I would not be receiving a scholarship at the final selection board, and on a whim tried marijuana with a friend of mine. This is the only time I have ever done it, and the only time I ever will.

At the final selection board, I was awarded a 3 yr AD scholarship and accepted. Will this cause any issues? I never answered a question that asked about drug usage in the application to my knowledge, though it may have been in the survey section they had but is not viewable anymore.

What about when I go to DODMERB? I'm not planning on lying about it, I will answer honestly that I have used it once before, but will it be a disqualifier? Is it a waiverable offense seeing as it was a single time incident?
 
One time use if not enrolled in the program is probably fine. Just answer honestly on your medical history and again on your security clearance background information. People assume that those entities all talk but in my experience that really isn't the case. Basically, Cadet Command will be looking for the thumbs up from DODMERB that you are either physically fit or not to commission. Unless they determine you have problems with substance abuse or it shows in your labs you are probably fine there. The same with your clearance. They are really looking to see that you gain a clearance. OPM isn't passing names back to DOD for prosecution. However, if they find you lying about anything or having a substance abuse issue which would make you a security risk they will deny your clearance. So to reiterate answer honestly, dont' abuse again (particularly once contracted) and you should be fine.
 
From what other people have written, it shouldnt be an issue as long as you mention it when asked. Be honest about and since it was your first and only time, I dont think they will hold it against you. If you deny using and it ever comes up that you did, the punishment for doing so will be way more than what will happen by telling the truth now. What you dont want to get yourself into is answering the question as if you have a drug problem so when answering questions make sure you are answering them correctly
 
To clarify: I am still a senior in HS, having accepted the scholarship after the single use. I have not gone to DODMERB yet nor am I officially enrolled in the program yet.
 
TFan1333 said:
To clarify: I am still a senior in HS, having accepted the scholarship after the single use. I have not gone to DODMERB yet nor am I officially enrolled in the program yet.
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Thanks for clarifying; in this case, answer honestly and explain it was ONE TIME USE. On the form it will only have a generic “have you ever tried drugs” so be sure to verbally specify that it was not multiple times/reoccurring.
 
FastFood44 said:
TFan1333 said:
To clarify: I am still a senior in HS, having accepted the scholarship after the single use. I have not gone to DODMERB yet nor am I officially enrolled in the program yet.
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Thanks for clarifying; in this case, answer honestly and explain it was ONE TIME USE. On the form it will only have a generic “have you ever tried drugs” so be sure to verbally specify that it was not multiple times/reoccurring.
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Alright, I'll go in honestly and make sure it's clear that it was a single incident. Thank you and everyone else for helping me out and clearing it up.
 
Follow-up question then, is this something worth telling my ROO or other cadre about, especially given emwvmi01's answer. It's not a particularly significant issue so long as not repeated from what I've seen, so if they aren't already informed would it be better to keep something like this unknown?
 
They are going to know, because you are going to fill out a 139r enrollment form, and on page two it is going to ask you about drug use.
 
I had a similar case and told my cadre about it when asked on a questionare. I have had no issues and they applauded me for the honesty. People might make fun of you every now and then but in the end telling them is the right call (as long as you explain it was a one time thing).
 
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I am not sure if AROTC is the same as AFROTC. This happened my with DD but she was AFROTC. She answered the question honestly after arriving at school and thought she would be fine(only 1 time). But they discovered she tried it after she went to her scholarship interview and before she went to school. At the interview she signed a form stating she had not tried drugs and will not from that point on. She forgot about signing that form. Fast forward to the end of her sophomore year when they did an audit and discovered this and put her up for disenrollment.
 
kaylar said:
I am not sure if AROTC is the same as AFROTC. This happened my with DD but she was AFROTC. She answered the question honestly after arriving at school and thought she would be fine(only 1 time). But they discovered she tried it after she went to her scholarship interview and before she went to school. At the interview she signed a form stating she had not tried drugs and will not from that point on. She forgot about signing that form. Fast forward to the end of her sophomore year when they did an audit and discovered this and put her up for disenrollment.
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I did an online interview and signed no such document, so it shouldn't be an issue there.
 
kaylar said:
I am not sure if AROTC is the same as AFROTC. This happened my with DD but she was AFROTC. She answered the question honestly after arriving at school and thought she would be fine(only 1 time). But they discovered she tried it after she went to her scholarship interview and before she went to school. At the interview she signed a form stating she had not tried drugs and will not from that point on. She forgot about signing that form. Fast forward to the end of her sophomore year when they did an audit and discovered this and put her up for disenrollment.
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Pre-service marijuana consumption is no longer a DQ for USAF, so long as said usage did not result in any criminal or civil involvements. That's a change that came out last year. FYI.
 
Tbpxece said:
Pre-service marijuana consumption is no longer a DQ for USAF, so long as said usage did not result in any criminal or civil involvements. That's a change that came out last year. FYI.
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The problem was the form she signed at the interview. It stated she would not use drugs after signing the form. It all worked out for her. It took a year to get it straightened out but she will be commissioning and graduating next week.
 
clarksonarmy, seeing as you likely know more than anyone else on here relating to this, what is your answer? I just can't let this rest, it has been on my mind constantly and I continue to find conflicting information.
 
TFan1333 said:
clarksonarmy, seeing as you likely know more than anyone else on here relating to this, what is your answer?
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Kid, this is an anonymous, public forum. Not a private support group with validated identities. Despite appearances, you have no way of confirming that anyone on here is actually who they say they are or if they speak from the authority they say they have.

You have gotten a constellation of answers that all say the same thing-- you should probably report the usage, and you will probably be okay.

FYSA, this ethical dilemma is small potatoes compared to the decisions you will have to make as an officer. Get used to it.

Quit sitting around waffling and paying attention to your feelings on the matter. Do the correct thing here, execute it, and then press on.
 
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