academy entrance drug test

I don't find myself worried about this one bit. If these young people are drug users who will fail the test and didn't have the foresight to consider how breaking the law in the name of "fun" might harm their future, then they are not academy material anyway and it won't bother me one bit if they never get the chance to lead soldiers.

Drug use is antithetical to a life of selfless service. Like pot? Good for you. Hit the road.

/Discussion OVER.
 
wyko33 said:
First off no it wasnt breaking the law its decriminalized. Second who are you to judge my choices, mistakes or decisions? I came here looking for help on that matter because i realized it was a mistake and im worried it will completely ruin my chances so instead of just ripping into me why dont you offer some actual help instead of trying to make me feel horrible. Im proud of my country and would love to serve it thats why i want to go there so please dont tell me i need to make better decisions when i can guarantee you arent perfect. can anyone else please help me on this matter? I honestly want to know if my chances are ruined now and if they are could i still go to ROTC or is that a no go to?
Click to expand...


WYKO, I do not have a answer, but I think by you coming on here and asking, it shows you have integrity to do the right thing.
I can speak for the civilian world only, and doing major contracts for the Navy and Army, ALL employees were/are subjected to initial and random drug screening. True the Hair test can go back three years(debateable), but Legally in the civy world, we could only hold it against them for any use in the prior 90 days. This is CIVILIAN laws, and hold no weight, merit in the military world. I understand your conscience is bettering you, and being involved with many youth programs (and not forgetting I was a teen once too), I understand you made a error in judgement. I will get hatched here, but in my unexpert opinion(my opinion only) something you did a couple of years ago that did not hurt, jeopardize or get you a juvenile/misdemenor charge, I would hope would not get you booted and no one is going to convince me that there are not current midshipmen, Cadets etc, that have erred on this said "NO".
I would not publically disclose too much and make your own choice. All of us adults have broken some minor law that would probably no doubt landed us a degree misdemenor(ones that will be honest)if we got caught as young adults maturing. Whether drinking and driving, sneaking a case of sodas out of the supermarket on the bottom of the cart etc. My only issue is you knew by the DoDMerb physical that drugs were a no/no and took the chance, but if your urine is clean at the time of the test, and you admit a puff years ago, I would hope this does not exclude you. I agree if someone is HOT on the test entering they should be booted, but years ago? My two cents.
You be your judge. You are going to get different answers here all day long.
Goodluck.
 
I think Maximus is very right on target here. Always you will be looking over your shoulder for the rest of your life.

RGK
 
When any college applicant signs their application form they are stating that all information has been truthfully and honestly stated on the application.
Not divulging drug use in a candidate's application to a SA (DoDMERB included) and then signing on the dotted line that all information is truthful poses a very sticky situation for someone who receives an appointment. Drug testing is a urinalysis. SA do not tolerate drug use.
I do not have the page in front of me with the SA verbage, but MOST colleges have an Applicant Statement that "certify that all information submitted in the admissions process is factually true and honestly presented" (Common Application) "Failure to disclose fully and accurately all the facts relating to this application may be ground for denial of admission, loss of course credit, and/or suspension." (source: University of Connecticut)
Therefore, failure to disclose could be reason for losing one's appointment.
Information should match between application and security clearance. Drug use at anytime is breaking the law.
 
Last edited:
Dixieland said:
West Point frowns on breaking the law. Sounds like you make very poor choices for yourself. You will need to disclose past drug use for medical information and security clearance. Probably need to start making some better decisions. It doesn't matter if you "get honors" and participate in 3 sports if you can't meet West Point's character requirements. Way too many clean, cream-of-the-crop candidates to choose from who don't use drugs.
Click to expand...

You way overestimate the amount of "clean, cream-of-the-crop candidates". You honestly believe that the majority of kids going to an SA haven't drunk before? That is naive. He also never said he was fine with these decisions. You have so much nerve pointing fingers at him considering his honesty and his posts.
 
wyko33 said:
First off no it wasnt breaking the law its decriminalized.
Click to expand...


Where we live, smoking pot is still a crime. Plus for my appointee, living with a narcotic detective dad, this excuse would never have been tried, accepted or tolerated.

scoutpilot said:
Drug use is antithetical to a life of selfless service. Like pot? Good for you. Hit the road.

/Discussion OVER.
Click to expand...

Amen!
 
wyko33 said:
First off no it wasnt breaking the law its decriminalized. Second who are you to judge my choices, mistakes or decisions? I came here looking for help on that matter because i realized it was a mistake and im worried it will completely ruin my chances so instead of just ripping into me why dont you offer some actual help instead of trying to make me feel horrible. Im proud of my country and would love to serve it thats why i want to go there so please dont tell me i need to make better decisions when i can guarantee you arent perfect. can anyone else please help me on this matter? I honestly want to know if my chances are ruined now and if they are could i still go to ROTC or is that a no go to?
Click to expand...


Decriminalized? Where is it not a crime to smoke pot? It's even a crime in California (and I think California has the most lenient stance of all the states on pot).

You came for help so the best I could say is don't smoke pot again. Whether or not you will be DQed for smoking pot depends on a lot of factors (like how many times, how much you smoked, how long ago it was, whether or not you're truthful about it, etc etc etc).
 
chipshandon said:
I know that when I enter the academy I will be subject to a drug test. Today my teacher mentioned that it is a hair drug test, and that all drug use within 3 years will show up. Is this true?
Click to expand...
I believe you recieved an answer to your primary question. The USMA does not use a hair test for drugs. You now know that unless you admit to your past drug use the USMA will not be able to detect it with the drug test they currently administer to all cadets. Will the test change in the future? None of us have that answer.

Your remaining questions concern ethical/moral issues. Should you admit to the drug use? Should you fill out and sign documents falsely indicating that you have never used drugs? Those questions are for YOU to answer. Good luck with your decisions.

One final point. Seriously ask yourself whether drugs/pot use is in your future. If it is then you should consider walking away from the USMA and enrolling in a civilian school before you get tossed out on your posterior. If you continue to smoke pot while in the military you will almost certainly get caught...eventually. Getting tossed from the USMA for drug use is IMHO far worse than never going at all and will severely limit your civilian college choices. Again, good luck.
 
BAJohnson said:
You way overestimate the amount of "clean, cream-of-the-crop candidates". You honestly believe that the majority of kids going to an SA haven't drunk before? That is naive. He also never said he was fine with these decisions. You have so much nerve pointing fingers at him considering his honesty and his posts.
Click to expand...

USNA1982BGO (Wife speaking thanks honey for letting me put my .02 in):
I am a high school teacher and know of MANY high school graduates that have never had a drink before graduating (or used drugs) and I am very proud of their life decisions.
Both our daughters NEVER had a drink in high school (yes, I do know this for certain as we have a very open and honest relationship).
The original poster was referring to drug testing, not alcohol use, but I do believe that applicants must also attest to alcohol use.
This is not a pointing the finger topic, it is one that is attesting to the truthfulness and honesty of the next generation of military officers.
Don't know what you all think about this but my first impression of this topic is that the integrity of an applicant who is trying to beat the system and is untruthful in an application process states quite a bit about that candidate's character and future behavior in college.
 
aglages said:
I believe you recieved an answer to your primary question. The USMA does not use a hair test for drugs. You now know that unless you admit to your past drug use the USMA will not be able to detect it with the drug test they currently administer to all cadets. Will the test change in the future? None of us have that answer.

Your remaining questions concern ethical/moral issues. Should you admit to the drug use? Should you fill out and sign documents falsely indicating that you have never used drugs? Those questions are for YOU to answer. Good luck with your decisions.

One final point. Seriously ask yourself whether drugs/pot use is in your future. If it is then you should consider walking away from the USMA and enrolling in a civilian school before you get tossed out on your posterior. If you continue to smoke pot while in the military you will almost certainly get caught...eventually. Getting tossed from the USMA for drug use is IMHO far worse than never going at all and will severely limit your civilian college choices. Again, good luck.
Click to expand...

FYI about the OP - this thread is really old (over a year) and the OP was banned long ago.
 
It is true many kids go through high school and life without smoking or drinking but just as many do these things. We have all broken the law on the highway before because technically going 1 over is breaking the law. Pot carries a social stigma for several reasons but is really going to ruin your life? Our founding fathers all grew canabis and most likely smoked it. Pot was legal for a large portion of our countries history.

http://www.drugwarrant.com/articles/why-is-marijuana-illegal/

This is a finger pointing topic. It became one as soon as people started questioning why this and why that instead of answering the question and leaving it at that. Adding something more like aglages did is fine but when people start judging someones intergrity from two posts it is out of control.
 
wyko33 said:
First off no it wasnt breaking the law its decriminalized.
Click to expand...
FYI - decriminalization of marijuana. This may be true in some cities and states. However, it is still a violation of FEDERAL law; hence ILLEGAL.
If you are serious about a future in the military, don't smoke pot. simple as that. Forget that it really 'isn't that bad' and all the other rhetoric. Each time you smoke pot, or are around someone who is smoking pot, you risk getting caught. IF you get caught then you can pretty well kiss your career as an officer good bye.
 
wyko33 said:
I just joined and I was wondering on what is the USMA stance on past marijuana use? I have used it before and I'm only 15 now. I've been wanting to go there for awhile. I get honors and participated in 3 sports this year in school but will the marijuana make me ineligible?
Click to expand...
^^^
This is the young person who resurrected an old thread. Perhaps we should direct our advice towards him instead of the OP who is long gone.
 
USNA1982BGO said:
USNA1982BGO (Wife speaking thanks honey for letting me put my .02 in):
I am a high school teacher and know of MANY high school graduates that have never had a drink before graduating (or used drugs) and I am very proud of their life decisions.
Both our daughters NEVER had a drink in high school (yes, I do know this for certain as we have a very open and honest relationship).
The original poster was referring to drug testing, not alcohol use, but I do believe that applicants must also attest to alcohol use.
This is not a pointing the finger topic, it is one that is attesting to the truthfulness and honesty of the next generation of military officers.
Don't know what you all think about this but my first impression of this topic is that the integrity of an applicant who is trying to beat the system and is untruthful in an application process states quite a bit about that candidate's character and future behavior in college.
Click to expand...

Beautifully put! Thanks for your comments and confirmation that not every high school kid makes bad choices. My kids and many of their friends do not drink or use drugs because they have big plans for their future and do not want them derailed. YES, it is possible, BAJohnson. Does this shock you? They are not losers or nerds either.

And, my goodness, why are you so worked up about this? Do you not agree that a KID (under 15 by his own admission) smoking pot is a poor decision? I do! It's not pointing fingers or questioning someone's integrity to observe that they are making poor choices at a very young age. Good grief!
 
No parent thinks their kid smokes or drinks.

Although 60% of teens aged 15 and 16 reported drinking within a 12 month period, only 31% of their parents believed that their child drank during that time period.
Click to expand...

42.6% of 12th graders have smoked at least once.

http://www.sadd.org/stats.htm http://www.edgarsnyder.com/drunk-driving/underage-statistics.html http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/marijuana/marijuana_ff.html

A lot are wrong. I don't know if your kids did or didn't and its none of my business. I do find it interesting that you said they don't drink or smoke because they have big plans for the future. I guess most America doesn't have plans for the future. I guess 40 years ago when 18 year olds were allowed to drink none of them had plans. Like I said, I guess our founding fathers didn't have plans for the future.

It is questioning their integrity when you say that they are "fine with the poor decisions". He came asking for help. He obviously is not fine with his decisions. He would have simply lied if he did not care.

I am worked up because of how naive people are. Kids going to service academies are doing these things whether you want to believe it or not.
 
BAJohnson said:
I am worked up because of how naive people are. Kids going to service academies are doing these things whether you want to believe it or not.
Click to expand...

I swear, I hear enough damn teenage wisdom on this forum to last a lifetime.
 
This might seem like a joke question, but this has been bugging me for a while now, and I would immensely appreciate if someone could clarify for me through their experience. With all seriousness and no sarcasm, does consuming poppy seeds give an unfortunate positive on the drug test result?

Thank you in advance.
 
kaorusong said:
This might seem like a joke question, but this has been bugging me for a while now, and I would immensely appreciate if someone could clarify for me through their experience. With all seriousness and no sarcasm, does consuming poppy seeds give an unfortunate positive on the drug test result?

Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...

Apparently it is possible. This is from Snopes:

http://www.snopes.com/medical/drugs/poppyseed.asp

Best advice, make sure your bagel is plain. :biggrin:

Seriously, while I guess it is possible to have such a result, I'd venture to say that it is unlikely. Someone with a medical or chemistry background should pipe up on this regarding likelihood. Still, it is probably best to avoid eating them if you are concerned.
 
scoutpilot said:
I swear, I hear enough damn teenage wisdom on this forum to last a lifetime.
Click to expand...

The statistic I posted about 30% of parents not knowing that their child drinks points to me being correct. The other 30% who does know their child drinks still does not necessarily know how much or how often.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top