DoDMERB - does being honest kill the dream?

[WhitMom4]

What kind of an Eagle Scout tries marijuana? I can understand alcohol but there's a reason they call drugs "dope".

As a former Scoutmaster, I must have missed the part where being an Eagle Scout conferred superior intelligence or sainthood. The Scout Law is an outstanding guideline, but I know precious few people who live it every day. Peer groups, rather than social clubs, are where dumb ideas like pot and alcohol experimentation come from. My son is an Eagle Scout; not one of his closest friends was even in Scouting. Fortunately, his peer group is more into marathon strategy gaming sessions fueled by Mountain Dew Voltage than buying illicit six-packs.

Actually now that you mention it, being an Eagle is supposed to confer a certain degree of superior morals, at least compared to the average population. That's the whole point of the scouting program: to raise young men who are more mature than their non-scouting counterparts. As for drug usage in the military, if the services can't find enough candidates without illegal drug usage, that's their problem. They shouldn't be lowering the ethical standards (or any other types of standards for that matter) just so they can meet their yearly quota.

I would imagine that based on that, officers in the military especially those who commissioned through an academy dont committ crimes, get charged and get convicted.

Huh?

 

[WhitMom4]

Whittykc,

Here...let me tell you how USAFA looks at this. IF the candidate has "experimented" with MJ...they will respond honestly on the form; then there will be some more paperwork to fill out: why, when, how often, etc...etc...it's an involved process. However I will also tell you that there is not a "once is done" policy at USAFA for MJ. They're realists; this is something that happens in high school. I have had a lot of appointees in my time as an ALO that were honest and owned up to what they'd done in the past. I've had one that was DQ'd from it; but his was, honestly, not experimenting: he was a user. **Added: testing positive in a DODMERB blood test would probably be a VERY bad idea.

The alcohol...that's a non-issue if it's just a high school kid that went drinking with his buddies. Yes, it's illegal; yes, he shouldn't do it, but again...it's high school and they understand that. The form that he will have to attest to is the "Drug use, alcohol ABUSE" form. Two key words here: "use" and "ABUSE." Use is exactly what is says: did he use an illegal drug (and no, alcohol is not what they mean and it's clearly spelled out) ever? The alcohol abuse part; this has to be determined by a physician: is he physically/chemically reliant upon alcohol? If a physician has stated that he has an alcohol problem...then "Houston, we have a problem" but if it's just "Uh, dad...I'm sorry...I won't...but..." then that's between him and you.

Does this make sense?

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

Good Evening, I wanted to thank you again for the advise above. Just to update you, DS reports to BCT in CS on Thursday. Thanks again for all the wisdom you pass down in this forum!

AWESOME!!!! Congratulations to all of you!!

Get ready for an even crazier ride!!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

Thanks again. I Day was pretty exciting!

 

[flieger83]

Whittykc,

Here...let me tell you how USAFA looks at this. IF the candidate has "experimented" with MJ...they will respond honestly on the form; then there will be some more paperwork to fill out: why, when, how often, etc...etc...it's an involved process. However I will also tell you that there is not a "once is done" policy at USAFA for MJ. They're realists; this is something that happens in high school. I have had a lot of appointees in my time as an ALO that were honest and owned up to what they'd done in the past. I've had one that was DQ'd from it; but his was, honestly, not experimenting: he was a user. **Added: testing positive in a DODMERB blood test would probably be a VERY bad idea.

The alcohol...that's a non-issue if it's just a high school kid that went drinking with his buddies. Yes, it's illegal; yes, he shouldn't do it, but again...it's high school and they understand that. The form that he will have to attest to is the "Drug use, alcohol ABUSE" form. Two key words here: "use" and "ABUSE." Use is exactly what is says: did he use an illegal drug (and no, alcohol is not what they mean and it's clearly spelled out) ever? The alcohol abuse part; this has to be determined by a physician: is he physically/chemically reliant upon alcohol? If a physician has stated that he has an alcohol problem...then "Houston, we have a problem" but if it's just "Uh, dad...I'm sorry...I won't...but..." then that's between him and you.

Does this make sense?

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

Good Evening, I wanted to thank you again for the advise above. Just to update you, DS reports to BCT in CS on Thursday. Thanks again for all the wisdom you pass down in this forum!

AWESOME!!!! Congratulations to all of you!!

Get ready for an even crazier ride!!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

Thanks again. I Day was pretty exciting!

Oh I'll bet it was!!!

If you're not on "Webguy" you need to be!! No, I'm not shilling for them but...I've followed SO many of my candidates that way...

Steve

 

[usna1985]

Fully agree that some recreational drug and/or alcohol use is not fatal to an application. USNA uses a "character board" to review the circumstances and make a decision. Some of the things they consider: number of times used, when used, what used, any legal charges, any additional activities (i.e., driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol), and on and on. The Character Board is trying to determine whether it was a youthful indiscretion or whether the individual is likely to continue to use -- which will eventually spell disaster.

The one thing I want to make clear . . . once you are at a SA there is ZERO TOLERANCE for drugs (and not much for alcohol offenses). I'm aware of a recent situation where a young person learned this lesson the hard way. Made one bad decision and now is gone from the SA. Dream over. Opportunity to ever serve in the military is over. Very, very painful for kid, parents, etc.

The military does not care if using MJ or spice is legal where the military person used it; does not care if it happened only once; does not care if there were no additional consequences. Use and eventually you'll be caught and when you are, you're done.

So for the OP . . . you may not want to hear this, but suggest you have a candid discussion with your DS. If he wants to continue to "experiment" with drugs or to drink underage, the military life may not be for him. Better to figure that out now.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

Good Evening, I wanted to thank you again for the advise above. Just to update you, DS reports to BCT in CS on Thursday. Thanks again for all the wisdom you pass down in this forum!

Wow.,.. a great pick me up this morning... I clicked on the thread expecting another "should I self report.." thread and saw this. For all those following, one rule to live by....WHEN IN DOUBT, TELL THE TRUTH. The short term consequences are almost always more better than long term consequences of living a lie. In addition, its always easier to remember what you said before when you tell the truth.