Coming Clean On I-Day...

icarus said:
If the OP is contrite and have "put it behind hin long,long ago", doesn't he deserve a second chance?
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That is not my decision, that is the AF's decision.

Personally, he deserves a 2nd chance, but I am not sure it is at the AFA or AFROTC. Read on to see why.

icarus said:
If due to peer pressure, tried and didn't make a habit out of it. what would you advise them to do?
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There's the crux of the problem....peer pressure. Many, many, many applicants/candidates/appointees have tried marijuana, and underage drinking. Like I said, the AF is not naive, they are not playing ostrich with their craniums in the sand.

The difference is they stood up to peer pressure. If their friends wanted to do it, they could still hang with them, but not partake and still not have a crisis of conscience that they are having now.

What you think of peer pressure at the age of 18, some of us see as an integrity issue at the age of 45. You cannot tell me at 18 you didn't know it was illegal...and please no WA or CO legalization argument, that was only a few months ago. If you agree that you knew it was, than the question is why your integrity took a backseat to peer pressure?

The military is looking for people who can stand up to peer pressure, for people that their integrity means more than being one of the group.

I get it, the majority of kids in HS according to polls have used marijuana, imbibed underage, and has sexted. There is a fine line still between doing it a couple of times and doing it over and over again.

JMPO, in the end of the day it comes down to where their fine line exists and does it match with the AF.

Your, mine or anyone's opinion doesn't matter, all that does is the AF reg., and like I said it is like the CFA mins. they aren't going to tell them where the fine line in the sand exists.

If you look in the ROTC bowels...AROTC has a different line than AFROTC, and I am betting NROTC has a different line than AROTC. This is not a ROTC issue per se, but what each branch has decided for their service.
 
CC and usafhopeful,

I get what both of you are saying. It has been too long since I have seen the questionnaire. Does it say used? Is there no line for explanation? Or does it say illegally used?

That is something the OP should look into.

Example: Cancer victims are prescribed marijuana legally, hence the answer would be YES, but the explanation would not be an issue. DoDMERB yes, but not using.

The same is true for Europe and alcohol. If a 16 yr old drinks in Italy and that is the legal age, than by law it is not illegal. Hence, they would not answer yes to illegal. Again my memory is weak, I thought it was illegal they asked.

I think we are getting in the weeds here. The fact is when and if they admit it, the AF will determine the results. NOBODY here sits on that board.

If push comes to shove, I am in an agreement with the others, the risk of not coming clean will be much higher later on than it will be in July on I-Day.

It is hard to keep that secret for 9 yrs (4 AFA, 5 ADAF) with a TS clearance. They need to ask if that is in their body to do it for at least 9 yrs.

Yrs ago my older brother gave me the best advice ever that carry with me everyday.
~~~ If you don't want people to know, or are unwilling to do it in public, you know in your mind it is something you shouldn't be doing.

I say that for future candidates and lurkers. You will be the future leaders in the military. Think about that before you go to the HS party where the parents are gone for the weekend!

OBTW, when our DS went through his TS clearance, they asked all of his references do you know if they ever used drugs?

TS clearance is good for 5 yrs. This will keep coming up and up. It is up to the OP to decide if the risks are worth it when they don't come clean.
 
Pima said:
That is not my decision, that is the AF's decision.

Personally, he deserves a 2nd chance, but I am not sure it is at the AFA or AFROTC. Read on to see why.



There's the crux of the problem....peer pressure. Many, many, many applicants/candidates/appointees have tried marijuana, and underage drinking. Like I said, the AF is not naive, they are not playing ostrich with their craniums in the sand.

The difference is they stood up to peer pressure. If their friends wanted to do it, they could still hang with them, but not partake and still not have a crisis of conscience that they are having now.

What you think of peer pressure at the age of 18, some of us see as an integrity issue at the age of 45. You cannot tell me at 18 you didn't know it was illegal...and please no WA or CO legalization argument, that was only a few months ago. If you agree that you knew it was, than the question is why your integrity took a backseat to peer pressure?

The military is looking for people who can stand up to peer pressure, for people that their integrity means more than being one of the group.

I get it, the majority of kids in HS according to polls have used marijuana, imbibed underage, and has sexted. There is a fine line still between doing it a couple of times and doing it over and over again.

JMPO, in the end of the day it comes down to where their fine line exists and does it match with the AF.

Your, mine or anyone's opinion doesn't matter, all that does is the AF reg., and like I said it is like the CFA mins. they aren't going to tell them where the fine line in the sand exists.

If you look in the ROTC bowels...AROTC has a different line than AFROTC, and I am betting NROTC has a different line than AROTC. This is not a ROTC issue per se, but what each branch has decided for their service.
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It makes more sense with your explanation. Thanks:thumb:
 
If I was in the OP's shoes, I would get in contact with my ALO immediately and explain the situation. I don't know how much the ALOs can find out, (I'm assuming quite a lot.) but perhaps the ALO can save the OP the trip to inprocessing if he/she was going to get kicked out for admitting this on I-day. Best case scenario, because they admit to it before I-day to their ALO, maybe OP will be given another chance?

That's what I'd do, personally.
 
The AF could answer this question of should they or shouldn't they in 3 words.

Integrity. Service. Excellence.

That's one their new tag lines.

Integrity First.
Service Before Self
Excellence in all that we do.
 
Another one also admitted to an adulterous affair in his chain of command, yet at the same time Lt. Col. Rogers was being court martial for the exact same thing in the AF in 1996.

http://articles.latimes.com/1996-12-01/news/mn-4575_1_air-force
Rogers was found guilty of disorderly conduct (he drunkenly walked on top of several cars outside a pub) and having an unprofessional relationship with a subordinate. An adultery charge was dropped for lack of evidence. He lost his command and four months' pay, about $16,000, and was reprimanded.
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What is good for the goose is not necessarily what is good for the gander when it comes to the military.
 
This is directed to the OP:

I just got off the phone with the #2 person in selection at USAFA/RRS. I posed your situation and this was the response:

"The individual should come forward immediately to either their assigned counselor, to the RRSA Chief, Ms. Patty Edmond, or to the Head of RRS, Dr. Phil Prosseda. The academy can then reset their form. They will then have to explain EVERY DETAIL including why they chose to not be honest when filling out the form.

I can make no guarantee's as to the outcome of this action; he might keep his appointment, he might not; that will have to be determined. However advise the individual that upon arrival at USAFA they will have to fill out that form again and then they'll be a cadet, subject to the UCMJ. And when their background check discovers this false statement, there can/will be legal issues to deal with. It would be MUCH better to come forward now and lets see what we can do about it."

I will pass on that I dealt with this with the son of a friend of mine. He had an AFROTC Type 7 scholarship. When he in-processed he admitted on the form that he had used a drug once; hadn't reported it earlier. They pulled his scholarship instantly but allowed him to remain in ROTC. After a full year of outstanding ROTC performance and academic performance, he's now a scholarship cadet.

This is not the end of the world; not even the beginning of the end, but it could have serious consequences either way.

Do what your heart is telling you; be honest.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Just wondering, is this form on the DoDMERB or somewhere else on the application? I have only done the Pre-Candidate Questionnaire and it didn't look like it was there.
 
SuaSponte said:
Just wondering, is this form on the DoDMERB or somewhere else on the application? I have only done the Pre-Candidate Questionnaire and it didn't look like it was there.
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Once you become a candidate there is a drug/alcohol use form. Last BCT one of the NWP prepsters quit right before A-Day because he had lied about recreational drug use in his forms. Don't do it. . .
 
SuaSponte said:
Just wondering, is this form on the DoDMERB or somewhere else on the application? I have only done the Pre-Candidate Questionnaire and it didn't look like it was there.
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It will come up later when you are a candidate, and it will be locked until your ALO has "counseled" you on it.
 
SuaSponte said:
Just wondering, is this form on the DoDMERB or somewhere else on the application? I have only done the Pre-Candidate Questionnaire and it didn't look like it was there.
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SuaSponte, you do not have access to these files until July 1 (or around that date). When that date comes, you'll receive another email on July 1 informing you that you have access to the rest of the forms you have to complete to apply. Hope this helped!
 
Pima said:
Another one also admitted to an adulterous affair in his chain of command, yet at the same time Lt. Col. Rogers was being court martial for the exact same thing in the AF in 1996.

http://articles.latimes.com/1996-12-01/news/mn-4575_1_air-force


What is good for the goose is not necessarily what is good for the gander when it comes to the military.
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I completely agree. I'd write more about my personal aversion towards cannabis and how Mr. President's affinity for it incenses me, but I understand that I have to start practicing the "I defer to my commander in chief" mantra now.
 
wingsofhonor said:
SuaSponte, you do not have access to these files until July 1 (or around that date). When that date comes, you'll receive another email on July 1 informing you that you have access to the rest of the forms you have to complete to apply. Hope this helped!
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Sure did, thanks a bunch.
 
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